A closer look at Bear Essentials with Cheryl and Roanna

At the heart of our Bear Essentials program are Navigators Cheryl Jordan and Roanna McLeod. Recently, we sat down with them to learn more about the realities families are facing across Vancouver Island and to hear firsthand how the program supports children and families.

With years of experience guiding families and health care professionals through complex systems and urgent needs, Cheryl and Roanna have a unique view into what’s changing. And what community generosity makes possible.

A growing need

The support we receive matters now more than ever. In this economic climate, Cheryl and Roanna are seeing more families reaching out for help.

“We’re receiving applications from families who normally wouldn’t need support,” Cheryl says. “Sometimes families need gas to go to medical appointments. Times are so tight. Many seem to be in need, and our travel allowance can really help families.”

“The need from families continues,” says Roanna. “Our program receives applications daily.”

Tools that change lives

For kids with complex health needs, the right equipment supports their daily lives, allowing them to engage with the world more fully. Bear Essentials helps meet a wide range of needs, such as mobility or communication devices, to a wide range of children. This equipment can be life-changing not just for kids, but entire families.  Equipment can be very specific medical devices or can be tools to support activities of daily living for a child.

“Bringing equipment or a tool to a child impacts the whole family,” Cheryl says. “This allows families to get out together, to do everyday activities as a family.”

Belonging in the classroom

When it comes to school, Bear Essentials helps ensure kids can participate, learn, and feel a sense of belonging in the classroom.

“A communication device can help a non-verbal child find their voice,” says Cheryl. “It helps interactions with teachers and peers. They take home what they learn at school. It can impact their whole life. It often means a child has an opportunity to participate in their classroom.”

“We’ve helped kids get wheelchairs adapted so they can go on grass,” Roanna adds. “In an outdoor setting that’s huge for kids, it helps them be included. We fund a lot of hearing aids too, and that has a huge impact at school when children can hear what’s going on.”

Dedicated care

Cheryl and Roanna take great care with each application, working closely and building relationships with referring health care professionals like social workers, occupational and physical therapists. Depending on the complexity of the request, an application might be processed within a day, and some applications have multiple pieces coordinated over several months.

“There is a lot of thought put into each dollar that we award,” Roanna explains. “We take it very seriously reviewing the details on the application and often following up with the healthcare professional or family.”

“There is also a lot of navigation work supporting families in a complex system,” Cheryl adds. “If we can’t fund something, we try to connect them to an organization that might. We also coordinate multiple sources of funds for equipment where possible.”

This work isn’t always easy, but it’s deeply fulfilling.

“I just like being there for families,” Roanna says. “They can call me with a question, and I’ll be there. I find happiness in that.”

Every dollar counts

Your generosity powers Bear Essentials. The program is 100% donor funded, and every dollar supports a Vancouver Island child. You are supporting children in your community.

“Every dollar does count,” says Roanna. “It may seem like just a little bit, but it can have a real impact. That $50 may be the reason someone has gas money to get to an appointment, or get a piece of equipment. Every dollar counts.”

“It takes a village to raise a child,” Cheryl says. “And thanks to you, Bear Essentials is part of that village for hundreds of families.”