Monday, October 5, 2026

Many Hats, One Purpose: Supporting Lives at Bethesda

A Local 501 steward finds meaning in connection, care, and helping others thrive.

Yelissa Beugelink wears many hats at Bethesda Christian Association—caregiver, advocate, listener, mediator, and cheerleader. Yelissa helps support adults with diverse abilities and mental health needs, building the kind of trust and relationships that make a lasting difference in people’s lives.

A 2025 graduate of Columbia Bible College with a bachelor of arts degree in psychology, Yelissa brings a passion for understanding people, supporting mental health, and helping others achieve meaningful goals.

“As a support worker, my goal is to help each person live a meaningful, independent, and fulfilling life while respecting their dignity, choices, and individuality,” she says.

As a support services worker, Yelissa assists adults with diverse abilities and mental health needs in residential settings in BC. Her role includes helping individuals with daily routines, promoting independence, advocating for their needs, coordinating appointments, administering medications, documenting care, and providing emotional support. Every day brings new challenges and opportunities, requiring flexibility, compassion, and a commitment to meeting each person where they are.

“My favourite part is the relationships,” says Yelissa. “In my role, we are the direct support for the individuals living together in a staff-supported home, so we’re really involved in their day-to-day lives. I value being a listening ear and building trust, so getting to show up for people in that way feels really meaningful and purposeful.”

Bethesda Christian Association supports people through a wide range of residential and community-based services throughout BC. While many people see the direct support provided in homes, Yelissa says there is much more happening behind the scenes than most realize.

“A lot of people don’t realize how much goes on behind the scenes: documentation, booking appointments, checking medication, communication, teamwork, and constantly adapting to each individual’s needs,” she says. “There’s also a misconception that Bethesda is just a few homes when it’s actually a large organization supporting many individuals across a variety of resources.”

These resources include respite care, summer camps, family support services, employment services, and independent living supports.

The role comes with significant responsibility. Support workers complete extensive training in areas such as person-centred support, first aid, medication administration, workplace safety, and supporting individuals with diverse abilities. Ongoing training helps staff maintain their skills and stay current with best practices.

When Yelissa first started at Bethesda, she was surprised by how much trust was placed in support workers.

“You’re trusted with people’s care, routines, and overall well-being, which is a big responsibility,” she says. “I was also surprised by how quickly you build strong, meaningful relationships with the individuals you support.”

Like many caregiving professions, the work can be emotionally demanding. Supporting people through behavioural challenges and mental health struggles requires patience, resilience, adaptability, and strong communication skills. One of the biggest lessons Yelissa has learned is the importance of maintaining healthy boundaries.

“Something I have to remind myself often is to leave work at the door,” she says. “When I leave after my shift, it has to stay there. It cannot come home with me because the heaviness of the job can interfere with my relationships with family and friends.”

Yelissa’s path to Bethesda was driven by a desire to help others. Her interest in counselling, mental health, and supporting people with diverse abilities made the role a natural fit.

The individuals Yelissa supports each have unique strengths, goals, and support needs. Some require hands-on assistance with daily activities while others need encouragement, advocacy, or help navigating community life. Building consistent relationships is key.

“Trust is built through relationships,” she says. “When individuals have consistent support workers, they feel more comfortable, understood, and secure.”

That consistency can be challenged when staffing shortages affect the sector. Yelissa believes adequate staffing, professional development opportunities, strong leadership, and fair compensation are important to retaining skilled workers and ensuring individuals receive high-quality support.

“Support workers play a vital role in helping individuals live meaningful and independent lives within their communities,” she says. “Investing in support workers is ultimately an investment in healthier communities, stronger families, and better outcomes for the individuals we support.”

And it’s the people who keep her coming back.

“The individuals we support and the team I work with are what keep me there,” she says. “Even on harder days, the small moments of connection, trust, and progress remind me why I chose this field.”

Those moments often come in unexpected ways. Whether it’s someone’s excitement over a simple pleasure, an inside joke shared among residents and staff, or a funny comment that brightens the day, Yelissa says the relationships are filled with joy as well as purpose.

She finds the most rewarding moments are often the simple ones: watching someone become more independent, seeing trust develop over time, helping someone develop a new skill, or achieving a goal they once thought was out of reach.

“This job has shaped me both personally and professionally,” she says. “It’s helped me grow in empathy, patience, and understanding, and it’s confirmed my passion for working in healthcare. It can be challenging, but it’s also incredibly rewarding, and I genuinely enjoy being part of it.”

For Yelissa, those daily moments of connection and growth are what make all the hats worth wearing.

Many Hats, One Purpose: Supporting Lives at Bethesda

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