We Are Young (WAY)

Happy Thanksgiving! This weekend, we’re especially thankful for the incredible seniors we’ve had the privilege of meeting through our work. They’ve taught us so much—about resilience, love, sacrifice and most importantly, the value of cherishing every moment. With each story we hear, we’re reminded of the immense wisdom and joy to be found in our senior community. It is truly to our detriment if we don’t go looking for it. We’re honoured to help fulfill their dreams and share their journeys, knowing their stories inspire everyone who gets to see them. This Thanksgiving, let’s take a moment to celebrate the seniors in our lives and communities who continue to inspire us, every single day. 🍂❤️

✨ !! New wish story !! ✨ Meet Anna, 71 years young, from the First Nation community of We'koqma'q. For many years, Anna’s greatest wish has been to meet her stepson, Mark, whom she had never had the chance to know. Anna and her late partner, Alfred, spent over 15 years together searching for his son Mark, but despite their best efforts, they were unable to find him. Tragically, Alfred passed away from cancer in 2014 leaving their search unfinished. Heartbroken but determined, Anna continued to carry the hope of one day she would connect with Mark. After losing her husband, Anna returned to her hometown of We'koqma'q to care for her sick mother, who sadly passed away a year later. Over the years, Anna has also endured the loss of four brothers, three sisters, and her eldest son, yet she has always remained a pillar of strength for her family and community. As a healthcare provider, she has spent much of her life offering homecare services to First Nation communities throughout Nova Scotia, even while facing her own personal hardships. Now, at 71, Anna continues working in homecare. Despite her lifelong dedication to others, she often feels alone as her children have grown and started their own families and busy lives. Being surrounded by a large family her entire life, this isolation has been difficult. Following Alfred’s passing, Anna was moved to later discover that Mark had been on the same journey to find his father. When they finally connected online, Anna had to share the heartbreaking news that Alfred had passed away. Yet, their conversations sparked a new hope. Together, they still dreamed of one day meeting in person—not only to celebrate Alfred’s life but also to honor their shared heritage. For Anna, staying connected with Alfred’s son and passing down his stories is a way to keep his memory alive. This past spring, we were honored to assist in fulfilling Anna’s wish by getting her on her very first flight, to finally meet her stepson. She travelled to British Columbia, where Mark, his wife Renee, and their children, Riel and Stqeeye, live. The reunion was everything Anna had hoped for. Both families came together to celebrate their heritage, share stories, and create new memories. It was a special moment for Anna to tell Mark about his father—his personality, his passions, and the life he lived. Through these stories, she helped Mark better understand the father he never got to meet. This experience gave her a sense of peace and accomplishment, fulfilling a dream that she and Alfred were unable to achieve together. It has strengthened her self-worth and reignited her sense of purpose as she continues to move forward in life. Beautifully pictured is Anna alongside her stepson Mark. Group photo also includes Mark's wife Renee, their two children, Riel and Stqeeye, and Anna's daughter Ella. All are wearing the traditional dress that Anna lovingly brought for her family. Photos by: Deanna May Photography

❗❗ Our Online Charity Auction ENDS this Thursday ❗❗ So don’t miss your chance to make a difference and score amazing items before our auction closes! Our goal is to raise $10,000, and thanks to your support, we've already raised $5,629! Every bid brings us closer to reaching our goal and making a lasting impact—let’s keep the momentum going! With the holidays approaching, many of these items would make for perfect gifts! Consider checking out the link below and sharing this amongst your network! Some featured auction items include: A private flight across Nova Scotia's stunning coastline to Lunenburg and back ✈ Headshot portrait session from Kelsi Captures Photography 📸 , A 2-hour at-home cooking class with the amazing Gourmet Gab 🍴 Lunch with former CTV News co-host and producer Jayson Baxter 🤩 Pittsburgh Penguins Jersey signed by Sidney Crosby… and so much more! While many items are Nova Scotia-based, some can be bid on from anywhere, so everyone has a chance to participate! Don’t miss out on these exclusive opportunities! Join the Auction here - https://lnkd.in/eXjir7pJ and PLEASE SHARE!!

We have SO many wish stories to catch you up on... and we're so excited to finally be sharing Dorothy's below! Meet Dorothy King, 78 years young from Nova Scotia. Her wish has always been to see the Canadian Equestrian Team jumping at Spruce Meadows, a passion she’s nurtured since she was 13. This dream is deeply rooted in her memories with her mother, whom she began caring for at just 19 years old, after her mother fell ill. In that moment, she not only became responsible for her mother’s care but also stepped into the role of caregiver for her younger siblings and managed the household. Despite the demands of it all, when her mother would call out that the equestrian team was on TV, Dorothy would drop everything to sit together and share those moments of joy and admiration. They both always dreamed of seeing the team in person one day together. Her mother, who sadly passed away at the age of 71 when Dorothy was in her 40s, encouraged her to continue to pursue this dream. Dorothy's desire to fulfill her dream intensified with the passing of her dear friend Blanche in recent years. Blanche had planned to celebrate her 100th birthday with a helicopter ride, a dream she wanted to share with Dorothy. Sadly, Blanche's health declined rapidly, and she passed away shortly before reaching this milestone. This loss was a stark reminder to Dorothy that she shouldn’t wait until she’s 100 to chase her own dreams, and to do what she can right now. Dorothy’s life has revolved around caring for others — her mother, her siblings, her own children as a single mother, and later her father, who battled cancer. Always putting others first, she found little time or resources for herself. Now, at 78 and living on a fixed income, she felt financially and logistically unable to plan the trip she and her mother had dreamed about. Yet, Dorothy has always believed in the power of community and the kindness of others, and she felt a special sense of hope upon learning about We Are Young. Thanks to the help of Spruce Meadows, Dorothy’s dream came true when she flew to Calgary to witness the North American Tournament and got to meet the Canadian team. This opportunity to fulfill her wish symbolizes that nothing is impossible when we come together to help each other, showing that, with a little support, even the most unattainable dreams can become reality. As Dorothy sat in the stands, tears of happiness filled her eyes...knowing that this moment not only reminded her of her mom, but that she finally fulfilled this wish for both of them. Not only that, but she left the track with her heart still racing, in disbelief that a dream she once thought unattainable had finally come true. Proceeding her wish, she has felt a reduction in loneliness and a significant boost in her mental health, realizing that she is not too old to pursue the things she loves. Photos by Small Town Photography Thank you to Spruce Meadows and the courtyard by Marriott-Calgary South location

Halifax! Our online auction closes in just over a week and there are so many amazing prizes to still bid on... including a VIP Experience at Halifax Wanderers Game for 10 happening Saturday, October 5th against Vancouver! Don’t miss out on this incredible opportunity! We’re offering 10 VIP tickets to a Halifax Wanderers game in the lively Purple Cow Pasture section! What’s Included: 🌟VIP Access: Enjoy the game from the vibrant Purple Cow Pasture area. 🌟Delicious Pizza: Savor hot, delicious pizza throughout the match. 🌟 Non-Alcoholic Refreshments: Stay refreshed with a selection of non-alcoholic drinks. Perfect for gathering 10 friends, co-workers, or family members for a memorable day out. Whether you're a soccer fan or just looking for a unique experience, this VIP package is a must-have! Click below to learn more or to share this with those who would be perfect for this exciting experience. All in support of We Are Young! https://lnkd.in/eFQQWM67

🎉 Exciting News! Our Online Charity Auction is LIVE! 🎉 We are thrilled to announce that our online auction in support of We Are Young is now underway! For the next three weeks, you have the chance to bid on incredible items and experiences, with options for everyone—whether you’re in Nova Scotia or beyond! 🌟 Some featured auction items include: ✈️ A private flight across Nova Scotia's stunning coastline to Lunenburg and back 🍴 A 2-hour at-home cooking class with the amazing Gourmet Gab 🥪 Lunch with former CTV News co-host and producer Jayson Baxter 🏒 Pittsburgh Penguins Jersey signed by Sidney Crosby … and so much more! While many items are Nova Scotia-based, some can be bid on from anywhere, so everyone has a chance to participate! With the holidays approaching, many of these items would make for perfect gifts! 🎁 Our goal is to raise $10,000, and every bid helps us get closer to making a difference. Don’t miss out on these exclusive opportunities! 🗓️ Auction Duration: Now until September 26th 🔗 Join the Auction Here: https://lnkd.in/eXjir7pJ Thank you for your support and happy bidding!

⛳ It's that time of year again—our 9th Annual Golf Tournament is in full swing ⛳ If you're unable join us in person, no worries! Follow along here on social media as we share the excitement throughout the day. You can still be part of the fun and cheer us on from wherever you are! A heartfelt thank you to our incredible volunteers, sponsors, participants, and our amazing title sponsor, BAGE CPA, for coming together to support this cause. ✨ Don't forget to explore our auction and help us make more seniors' wishes a reality: https://lnkd.in/eXjir7pJ Together, we can make a difference! #WeAreYoung #GolfForGood #SupportingSeniors #MakingDreamsComeTrue

Meet Audrey Parker, who is 90 years young from Uxbridge, Ontario, who has long dreamed of exploring the East Coast, specifically Nova Scotia. This dream, held close to her heart for decades, was recently realized in a meaningful way. Her early life was marked by hardship—growing up with mustard sandwiches and an unsettling home environment. Yet ballet became her sanctuary. At just 11 years old, she walked into a local dance studio that she admired and convinced the owner to let her join classes in exchange for cleaning the studio. The owner not only agreed to this arrangement, but took Audrey under her wing, providing her with ballet shoes and creating a safe space where Audrey could find joy and escape from her troubles. In her own words, ballet is what saved her. Audrey danced every day and had eventually become the ballerina at the Toronto Ballet School. Audrey's life has been characterized by hard work and sacrifice. Despite the challenges, she often reflects on the strength she drew from her early years. Now, at 90, Audrey's journey to Nova Scotia was the fulfillment of a long held dream. She has never been east to see the Atlantic Ocean, and her desire to visit was further fuelled by her wish to attend the 100th anniversary of the Royal Canadian Air Force at the Royal Nova Scotia International Tattoo. This event is particularly meaningful to her because her family served in the Air Force, and her late husband was a judge for drumming competitions. Additionally, during her visit, Audrey was honoured at Chalice, headquartered in Bedford, NS, where she sponsored 10 children over the past two decades. What Audrey once thought might never come true has now become a cherished reality, letting her experience the aspects of Nova Scotia she always hoped to and fulfill a dream she has held close for a very long time. A special thanks to: @royalnstattoo , @suttonplacehotels , and @enterprise for helping make this wish come true! Photos by: Kelsi Captures Photography

When we’re young, dreaming is as natural as breathing. But as we grow older, we often find ourselves setting our own dreams aside to help others achieve theirs. Our oldest generation knows this all too well, having spent their lives making sacrifices for loved ones. At We Are Young, we're dedicated to granting experience-based wishes to seniors currently in Nova Scotia, PEI, Newfoundland, New Brunswick and Ontario. Whether it's fulfilling a lifelong dream, reliving a cherished passion or reconnecting with loved ones, our mission is to make their dreams a reality. Help us honour the dreams of seniors by nominating your loved one for a wish today: https://lnkd.in/g59ggrn6 And remember: Never stop chasing your own dreams. - Your WAY team #makeadifference #charitywork #nonprofit #seniorcare

If you could make a difference in someone's life with just a simple question, wouldn’t you do it? At WAY, we make seniors’ dreams come true and remind them that they are seen, heard and valued—but we can’t do it without your help. Our cause is fueled by those of you who take that extra time to engage our oldest generation and ask them a very simple, but important question: Do you have an unfulfilled wish? Like a pebble tossed into a pond, this small question can make a world of a difference. We hope you find the courage to spark that ripple effect today. - Your WAY team For more information, visit our wish application process: https://lnkd.in/g59ggrn6 #dreamscometrue #canadiancharity #Seniorcare #makeadifference