Care Centre Celebrates 10th Anniversary

While recuperating from a stroke and cancer treatment, Sister Germaine Bohdan, a former teacher, decided the best place for her was the Ukrainian Canadian Care Centre. 

Ten years ago, when the centre first opened, she was one of the first residents to move  in.  A decade later, she does not regret her decision.

“It’s like coming home,” says Sister Germaine. “All the people I used to teach come to visit their family and they either recognize me or I recognize them and we talk.”

“We are one  big family,” she says. “I like it when we can get together and talk. We keep Ukrainian culture going here. Most people here are Ukrainian. We speak and sing in Ukrainian and teach others too,” she says.

“Also, there are so many good nurses here….Everyone works for you …They make you feel at home while you’re here. They look after you,” says Sister Germaine, who is the Chair of the Residents’ Council.

Sister Germaine says she also finds the Centre is convenient, especially for people with disabilities, and likes the fact that it is close to the other Ukrainian institutions, such as St. Demetrius Seniors Residence, St. Demetrius Elementary School and St. Demetrius Church.  

Another benefit of living at the centre is the opportunity to participate in a range  of activities planned by the recreation team.  In the last few years, activities have included visits to churches and monasteries in Ontario as well as to casinos and shopping malls.

Sister Germaine recently joined close to 100 residents, family members and friends at the 10th Anniversary Moleben in the Centre’s Melnyk Family Memorial Chapel. She also attended the Ukrainian Canadian Care Centre’s 10th Anniversary Dinner on October 1 at the UNF Trident Banquet Hall.

“Time has gone by so quickly,” says Sister Germaine reflecting on the past.  I’m lucky to have been here for the past ten years. We’ve gone through a lot of changes at the Care Centre and there are more to come,” she adds.

The fourth floor expansion and the new dining room are two such changes that the Ukrainian Canadian Care Centre’s residents are looking forward to, says Sister Germaine.

Currently, fundraising efforts are underway to make these two projects a reality.