Volunteers are the backbone of our organization, and without them we would not be able to provide our services. Our volunteers help by facilitating our support groups, workshops and social groups here in the Greater Victoria area. If you are interested in volunteering, please visit our Get Involved page to begin the onboarding process. We request references and criminal record checks from our volunteers (we organize this with you) and we are always accepting volunteers.
Our current roster of FCBC volunteers includes:
Bill Israel
An Honorary Life Member of the United Way of Southern Vancouver Island, Bill is a Certified Facilitator and Consultant for the INTENSIVE JOURNAL (I J) process of Dr. Ira Progoff. He is a recipient of the Valued Elder Recognition Award from the Institute on Aging and Lifelong Learning at the University of Victoria and the Eldercare Foundation of British Columbia. Since 2018 Bill has collaborated with the staff and volunteers at FCBC to develop and deliver the innovative Intensive Journal workshop series, in-person and via the ZOOM platform, for family caregivers throughout the Province of British Columbia.
Bill Israel is a Village Elder and a Keeper of Sacred Spaces. He lives in Victoria, BC.
Michael McClellan
Michael was born and raised in Victoria, BC. After graduating high school, he traveled for a number of years to Australia, New Zealand, the Fijian islands, the Middle East and Europe. Afterwards, he returned to Victoria and started a 40-year career in construction. Michael lived in California from 1986-2015, and then moved to Baja, Mexico where he has built homes since 2015. In 2009, while riding a motorcycle in Baja, Michael had an accident which left him paralyzed. He now uses a wheelchair. As life continues, he will be heading down to Mexico to build another home. He also expects to split his summers between visiting his sister and her family in New Zealand and Victoria.
Michael volunteers as facilitator of the Men’s Caregiver Support Group, and helps with the Victoria Virtual Support Group.
Bonnie Davoren
Bonnie facilitates the virtual and in-person support groups and is a long-standing volunteer with FCBC.
Gabi Townsend
Gabi Townsend is grateful to be able to join a wonderful volunteer team of facilitators and staff at FCBC. Currently retired, she brings a recent background as an Employment Counsellor, and a Support and Education Coordinator with the Alzheimer Society of BC (ASBC). It was at the ASBC that she began working with support groups, organizing them, supporting volunteer facilitators and actively facilitating groups. Gabi is well versed in caregiver concerns, both professionally and personally, and knows firsthand the joys and challenges a caregiver faces every day.
Volunteering allows Gabi to stay engaged, feel connected to the community, and maintain her skills, particularly those used in supporting others through difficult circumstances. She has a few ‘gigs’ going on, including being a Health Coach with Self Management BC, doing senior meal delivery with United Way Better@Home, and getting her hands dirty at the Horticulture Gardens of the Pacific in the Japanese Garden. She also has taken on a part time job as the Coordinator for the Victoria Community Response Network, part of the BC CRN, which raises awareness of senior abuse and neglect, and self-neglect.
Add to that keeping up with four brothers and families, a beautiful circle of friends, her 96-year-old dad, and her beloved feline companion, Jasper, and life is full and balanced.
Gabi lives in Victoria, and is privileged to work and play on the unceded territory of the Songhees and Esquimalt Nations.
Marlene Schlotterbeck
Marlene facilitates the Caregivers Connect BC support group once a month. Read more about Marlene here.
Libby Rush
Libby has an extensive background in leadership and has been a major part of the community through various projects since 1990. She has worked for Royal Roads University, the University of Victoria, and the BC Public Service. Since retiring in 2015, she continues to support the community as a group facilitator. Her educational background in psychology, adult education and coaching grounds her facilitation and communication skills. Libby has been facilitating support groups for FCBC since the pandemic started in 2020, and continues to support caregivers through first facilitating online to now facilitating in-person with the SHOAL Centre support group.
AnneMarie Travers
AnneMarie facilitates the Caregivers Connect BC support group once a month. AnneMarie has been volunteering with Family Caregivers in a variety of roles since July 2020. She brings a strong commitment to, and a high level of respect for, the role caregivers play in supporting their loved ones. She continues to be grateful for all she has learned through her work with FCBC.