Three-and-a-half years ago, in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, Kathleen Nurse started a new chapter of her life at Copernicus Lodge. She moved to Copernicus from Stoney Creek to be closer to her daughter in Toronto.
Though she’s not Polish, Kathleen found a warm and welcoming community at the Lodge. “Most people here are very friendly. When they understand I don’t speak Polish, they switch to English,” she explains.
“I’m learning Polish, but I’m not doing very well at it,” she laughs, sharing her efforts to connect with her Polish neighbours. “I can say hello, goodbye, thank you, and good day.”
Kathleen, a former civil engineer, had a career that included government work and even a foray into politics. She has lived in and travelled to many countries throughout her life. She appreciates how the Lodge feels like a little European village within a bigger city and values the sense of both safety and community.
“It’s a small village within the big city, and I love that because I’m not really a big urban person. I like to be able to get out and walk and feel safe, and I do feel that here,” Kathleen says.
Her experience has inspired Kathleen to give back to the Lodge. “I believe that charity begins at home,” she says. “I consider it an obligation to pay back what you can and when you can. It doesn’t have to be money; it can be volunteering, too.”
Driven by this belief, Kathleen has planned a modest gift to Copernicus Lodge by leaving a planned gift of life insurance. She’s also expressed interest in becoming a monthly donor. “I think a monthly giving program would be great here,” Kathleen explains. “It’s a way for people to contribute regularly, even if it’s just a small amount.”
Kathleen’s decision to give back is rooted in her appreciation for the staff and services at Copernicus Lodge. Through her planned gift, Kathleen is ensuring that future residents will benefit from the same warmth and care she’s experienced.
She hopes her contribution will inspire others to give back in whatever way they can. It’s the collective efforts of residents like Kathleen that help make Copernicus Lodge more than just a place to live – it’s a place to call home!
