I am Dini, happily married to Don, mom to 2 daughters and 2 stepsons, and gramma to a sweet little boy named Jack.  I was born in Chemainus and have been an 'island girl' all of my life.  A few years ago, we finished building our new home and are happily settled on a mountain 20 minutes out of Qualicum Beach.  I enjoy being creative, writing, cooking, digging in the dirt and hanging out with family and friends.   

     My main career, for over 20 years, was in child care - I did everything from family child care, preschool, group day care, consulting, working with families with children with special needs, respite care.... and teaching.  It was wonderful.  I have also been involved in the food industry on and off for years doing prep cooking, serving and catering.  My needs for a creative outlet were met in teaching art to children and being involved with a couple of galleries in Qualicum Beach.  I have at times been an employee, but mostly been self-employed and enjoy the challenge of running my own business and using my skills to help others in theirs.  I am the owner of Seren and am excited about helping people take care of themselves and their homes. 

Stacey is a wife and busy mom to two children and often 'mom' to international students as well.  Stacey is a local girl, raised in the Qualicum area. Her background is in business administration.  Stacey is a very talented seamstress and does adaptive clothing for people with special needs as well as beautiful prom gowns for local high school grads.  She is a running coach in her 'spare' time and works a couple days a week at Bradleys on Jenson where she seems to know just about everyone that walks through the door! 

 

Marcella has lived in BC all of her adult life and has two grown children.  Marcella's career includes both Fine Arts (she was a resident artist at the Old Schoolhouse Gallery in Qualicum Beach and has owned her own business called "Lighten Up" for several years) and working as a Caregiver - mainly with the elderly.  She has extensive experience and we are very pleased that she has joined our team.  I have known Marcella for about 5 years and have seen her work with her clients... her reputation as a loving and skilled Caregiver is well deserved.  She is very creative, active in her community, and last year spent a month working in Cambodia in a children's orphanage teaching them how to garden and raise their own food.   Marcella enjoys gardening, reading, and loves any activity that involves creating beautiful, functional things.  Fortunate are her clients who enjoy being on the receiving end of   her colourful vases and bouquets of flowers from her garden! 

Don, was born in Halifax, but soon moved to Victoria and has called the island 'home' ever since.  Don's passion is cooking, feeding family and friends, meeting people and reading.  He even enjoys tackling Dini's 'honey-do' list  and helps her in the garden.

Don, known as "Mr. O" to his students,  was a teacher in the Nanaimo and Ladysmith area for 13 years.  He then got involved in sales and marketing, (everything from mill machine parts, industrial coatings to highend countertops) and using his teaching skills, enjoyed helping clients make the right choices for their needs.  Most recently he has worked as a project manager of contruction sites.  In between contracts, he works does work for Seren - home maintenance and repairs.

 

Lawanna and her husband did house-sitting for several years for a local family before deciding to move here permanently from Manitoba a few years ago.  They now live in Parksville and love it.  The only reason to leave the island is to get together with family, especially new great-grandson Ethan!  Lawanna has an extensive background in administration and working with people and is excited to work with Seren Home Care & Support Services, and we are happy to have her!

Heidi was born and raised in Nanaimo and grew up surrounded by other children in her mom's daycare.  She spent several years living in Victoria when she got the travel bug and moved to New Jersey and then Spain where she worked as an au pair.  She returned to Victoria and immediately started planning her next trip, this time to Asia.  Heidi's many interests inlcude the fashion industry, which has given her opportunity to travel to California and work in Toronto.  She recently returned to Nanaimo to settle down with her high scho0l sweetheart.  Heidi spends her spare time designing jewelrey, sewing and decorating.  She is hoping to attend school this fall.

"Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around..." Leo Buscaglia