About us
What we do?
"HAHWAS walks with elders, not in front of them, not speaking over them. We stand beside them as advocates, partners, and amplifiers, ensuring that healthcare providers, governments, and service agencies deliver care that is equitable, dignified, and culturally informed. Because Black seniors deserve to age well with joy, belonging, and support."
Meet Our Team
Elvenia Gray-Sandiford
Elvenia Gray-Sandiford is a family life educator, community engagement practitioner, and capacity-building specialist with over 40 years of experience advancing health equity, aging justice, and community resilience. Her work spans the full family life cycle—from early childhood to end of life—supporting families through culturally grounded education, crisis response, and system-level advocacy. She has worked extensively with children and youth, single and young parents, survivors of gender-based violence, and older adults navigating aging and care systems.
Kandi-Lee Crooks-Smith
Results-driven educator with twenty five years experience in meeting student and organizational learning goals using technology infused, experiential, and pragmatic methodologies. Excellent interpersonal skills which support collaborative approaches in designing, implementing, and evaluating educational programs for learners at all levels. Lifelong learner.
Ann Dolina
Mathew Fraser
Mathew also previously organized, directed, empowered and oversaw a team of writers and budding journalists by guiding and publishing their work in an independent newspaper.
Simone Gayle
Simone Gayle is a logistics and operations professional with extensive experience coordinating people, schedules, and information in fast-paced environments. She has supported cross-functional teams by keeping operations organized, ensuring clear communication, and resolving issues efficiently. Her hands-on experience managing daily operations and collaborating with diverse stakeholders allows her to build systems that help teams work confidently and effectively.
Outside of work, Simone contributes her time and talents to community-building initiatives, supporting projects that strengthen communities, foster collaboration, and provide meaningful opportunities for engagement. She is passionate about mentoring volunteers and improving systems to create a tangible, lasting impact.
Through this initiative, she looks forward to working with like-minded individuals to develop practical, solution-focused approaches to the challenges facing the Elderly in the Black community.
Justina Gayle
Justina Gayle is a civil engineer currently based in Vancouver, British Columbia, with over five years of experience in construction, project management, and contract administration. Her professional background includes supporting large-scale infrastructure projects, coordinating multidisciplinary teams, and ensuring work is delivered with care, organization, and accountability.
Beyond her professional background, Justina is deeply committed to community service, equity, and the dignified care of elders and marginalized communities. She is guided by values of accessibility, cultural respect, and collective responsibility, and brings a calm, organized, and people-centered presence to community spaces.
She is pleased to contribute to initiatives that center Black elders, elevate lived experience, and advance wellness, dignity, and justice across the life course.
