“You Don’t Have to Change the Whole World”

Cathy Cena has been volunteering for 43 years. Fifteen of them have been in Port Moody, and when you ask her for the one moment that sticks with her most, she doesn’t point to a moment at all. She points to the people.

“Some of the most meaningful experiences have come from watching volunteers and complete strangers come together during difficult times,” she told Port Moody Pulse — “supporting families in need, helping organizations survive through COVID, or simply seeing someone realize they belong because they chose to volunteer. I’ve learned that you don’t have to change the whole world; sometimes changing one person’s day is enough.”

Cathy is the Executive Director of Tri-Cities Community TV, co-founder of FACES — an initiative celebrating women’s stories across the Tri-Cities — and has served with PoMoArts, the Coquitlam Optimist Club, and more community boards than most people could list from memory. “The common thread is connection. I guess I am a community connector.”

“What I hope never changes is our sense of community. People genuinely care here. They volunteer, support local businesses, step up when someone needs help. Growth is inevitable, but preserving the heart of Port Moody — its volunteer spirit, its sense of belonging — is what will ensure it remains such a special place to live.”