THE RÉSEAU FADOQ BREAKS THE ISOLATION, OTHERWISE

Even the COVID-19 pandemic can’t stand in the way of the mission that the Réseau FADOQ has had for 50 years: to break seniors’ isolation. The network, which is the largest seniors’ organization in Canada, has proven this in many ways. One of the most impressive: a massive courtesy call campaign to reach FADOQ members aged 70 and older.

Let’s go back in time a little bit. In mid-March 2020, the Réseau FADOQ found that it once again needed to draw on the resilience that’s marked its half-century of existence. Following government directives, rallies planned for the coming months are cancelled or postponed, telework is massively adopted and the network goes into crisis management mode. A week later, it became clear that the Réseau FADOQ had to take action. It needed to show seniors aged 70 and older, who were confined to their homes as part of the emergency measures, that they are not alone. The network leaped into action and began an extensive courtesy call campaign across Quebec. Staff and volunteers reached out to members one by one to chat with them, make sure they had everything they needed, and refer them to any resources they needed. Many members saw this gesture as an antidote to their loneliness, and it worked so well that thousands of them asked for more calls—something that staff and volunteers gladly did. At the beginning of May, the network passed the 100,000 call mark! As a leading seniors’ rights organization in Quebec, the Réseau FADOQ has also been in closer contact than ever with the governments since the start of this devastating crisis. It’s been demanding improvements to terrible conditions and informing politicians about emerging issues. In order to keep its members informed about this rapidly shifting situation, the network also increased special communications from the very beginning of the lockdown. It’s been sending weekly newsletters, sharing news and tips on staying entertained at fadoq.ca, and more. TO BECOME A RÉSEAU FADOQ MEMBER: fadoq.ca 1 800 828-3344

Celebrating

Differently

The Réseau FADOQ has also had to adjust its 50 th anniversary celebrations. It had planned to celebrate throughout 2020 to highlight the fact that the network is now old enough to, well, have its own FADOQ card! Many of the events are continuing as planned: a major renewal contest, the launch of collector’s coins bearing the image of the founder Marie-Ange Bouchard, the grand opening of an exhibit in her honour, the announcement that the network would be planting 50,000 trees for future generations to enjoy, and more. However, the 50 th Congress, which would have been held in June, has been postponed until June 2021. In other words, the Réseau FADOQ will be celebrating its 50 th anniversary until it’s almost 51! At the time of writing, the network had not yet resume its activities, tournaments, workshops, and other local, regional, or provincial gatherings. But one thing is certain: it will always adapt to accomplish its mission.

Sophie Gagnon Réseau FADOQ