People of Perley - Bernadette Lee-Wo

When Bernadette Lee-Wo joined Perley Health, she arrived with decades of experience, a giving heart, and a clear sense of purpose.

Looking back on her ten years as Volunteer Services Clerk she reflects, “I think that's what's been correct from the start. For me.”

Bernadette first walked through the doors at 1750 Russell Road alongside her mother to visit the Alzheimer Society, located in the main building.

“We noticed that she was starting to show signs of having dementia and she agreed to come and to learn a bit more about that,” she says.

What began as a search for information became something more. She volunteered, then joined the Alzheimer Society as a staff member while the organization rented space in the building. For years, she worked alongside Perley staff before formally becoming part of the team.

“I found everybody I met on staff and in the hallways were always very kind and welcoming and friendly,” she says. “And it continues to be that way.”

When she was interviewed for her role in Volunteer Services, everything aligned. She brought 20 years of experience managing meaningful work programs for people with disabilities, along with the lived experience of caring for her mother. “It really brought those skills and experiences together in a really positive way for me.”

Connection was the heart of Bernadette's volunteer role at Perley: meeting new volunteers, learning their stories, and helping them make a meaningful difference. Each year she met a diverse group of people eager to give their time. In many ways, she became a bridge between volunteers and the residents, families and staff they support.

For Bernadette, a shared sense of purpose is what defines Perley Health.

“What appeals to me is that it's such a diverse group of people who have found something in common that they put first,” she says. “I think that's the unifying factor. The feeling of being part of a team, working towards the same goal. And they are not just ideals. I think we really do all work very hard to live them in our work.”

For Bernadette, her role offered the perfect balance. After years in frontline caregiving, she wanted to remain in a setting that served seniors and people with special needs, but in a sustainable way. “It's allowed me to continue to be in a caregiving environment. But I am supporting the caregivers, which I think is a very valuable role as well.”

Over time, she expanded her knowledge of health care and volunteer management, collaborated across disciplines and even grew comfortable with public speaking. As she describes it, her experience was one of both professional and personal growth.

One memory from her time at Perley has stayed with Bernadette. She asked a resident if he had any advice for younger people, and he said, “Make sure you have as much love in your life as you can. And that could be the love of a pet. It could be the love of something that you do, the love of many different kinds of people and relationships.”

“He was just a lovely, lovely man. And he will definitely be one of the memories that stays with me from my time here.”

That message feels fitting for Bernadette's time at Perley Health. Ten years spent welcoming volunteers, supporting caregivers and strengthening a community built on shared purpose.

As she looks ahead, she returns to what largely defined her time at Perley: the culture.

“My hope for the Perley is that it would continue to grow and expand, but to keep the core values and culture that it currently has, because I think there's a great need in this city and in the world for more Perley Health.”