Special Announcements!

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Executive Director Appointment – Hello Helen!

The Board of Directors of Community Links is pleased to announce the appointment of Helen MacDonnell as Executive Director. Helen is an award winning mental health advocate and founder of Women & Wellness®, a national awareness and fundraiser for the Canadian Mental Health Association. She is non-practicing member of the Nova Scotia Barristers’ Society and a Fellow of NS GovLab, the province’s first social innovation lab considering how Nova Scotia responds and adapts to its aging population.
“I’m delighted to join the movement recognizing the diverse talent and energy among older adults, and look forward to working with seniors’ and senior-serving organizations as we focus on aging well and ensuring all older Nova Scotians are seen, heard and valued,” she said.

“We are very excited about Helen’s vision for Community Links,” said Carol Rogers, Board President. “In the midst of significant changes underway through Nova Scotia’s SHIFT: Action Plan for an Aging Population, her role is to lead Community Links through the next phase of its evolution as a key non-government organization dedicated to the well-being of older adults.”

Community Links is a province-wide non-profit which catalyzes the establishment of age-friendly, inclusive communities through knowledge exchange, capacity building and advocacy. We value and support older adults as leaders and volunteers in their communities, and work with provincial and municipal officials, businesses, organizations and individuals in our Aging Well Together Coalitions and other projects to enhance how later life is experienced in Nova Scotia.

Community Links Board of Directors Appointments

Community Links welcomes Carol Rogers as President of the Board for 2018-2019. A former teacher and dietician, Carol has a long history of nurturing and caring for the well being of others. Much of her work has been with and for older persons. She has served on the Community Links Board for three years and recently joined the Board of the National Pensioners Federation. She also participates in the Seniors Advisory Council of Nova Scotia. At home in Cape Breton she serves on the Board of the Steelworkers and Sydney Pensioners Club. Carol is a proponent of the Aging Well Together philosophy and will continue to work in areas that support it.

Pamela Fancey has joined the Community Links Board of Directors as a representative of Central Region. Pam is Associate Director of the Nova Scotia Centre on Aging at Mount Saint Vincent University. In her role with the Centre, she has served on several Advisory Committees for Community Links’ projects. Her research areas include supports for family and friend caregivers, social isolation of seniors and age-friendly communities. Pam has served on a number of community boards, including being former President of the Gerontology Association of Nova Scotia. In 2007, she was the recipient of the GANS Award of Recognition and in 2018 received Northwood’s Live More Award for Research.

The Board provides leadership for carrying out Community Links’ mission to promote the inclusion, well being and independence of older adults in Nova Scotia.
Thank You and Best Wishes Anne!
The Board of Directors of Community Links wishes former Executive Director Anne Corbin a healthy, happy retirement. Anne retired in mid-October after leading the association for five years. She joined Community Links in 2004 as Coordinator of Administration and Communications, and in 2007 added the role of Regional Coordinator, HRM West Hants. Anne became Executive Director in 2013.When asked for some highlights of her time with Community Links, Anne said it was the people she was privileged to work with, including former Executive Director Sandra Murphy and fellow Regional Coordinators Brenda MacKinnon and Carla Malay. She said Bill Poole and Mary MacLellan were great supports to her as association Presidents during her time as Executive Director.Anne also fondly remembered some of the projects that involved members of the HRM Ageing Well Together Coalition as well as provincial efforts such as Regional Peoples’ Schools; Seniors and Gambling; Atlantic Charities Learning Exchange; and of course the Year of Ageing Well Calendar, first published in 2011. The 2019 calendar will be available shortly.Anne will continue to be involved as a Board member with Community Links partners Caregivers Nova Scotia, Nova Scotia Community Transportation Network, and Chebucto Links.  She plans to continue to be engaged in community and pursue personal interests in writing and home renovation as well as spend more time in her family home on the South Shore.Enjoy this new chapter Anne. All the best.