#WE ARE MIROIR
#WE ARE MIROIR
Our Vision
A future where later life is rich with connection, belonging and joy.
We help grow powerful ideas for social connection so older adults can thrive and experience belonging and joy.
Our Mission
Miroir means “mirror” in French. It reflects both how we see ourselves and the future we imagine for later life.
Why “Miroir”
Our Values
Joy across generations
We value the inclusion of initiatives that foster interactions across generations, including within generations of older adults.
Change driven by older adults
We believe older adults can create options for joy and meaning for themselves and others.
Fiscal responsibility
We value the trust that donors have placed in our Foundation and are committed to operating in a fiscally responsible manner.
Diversity in moments of joy
We recognize that what brings joy and connection varies among older adults due to their diversity in ethnicity, ability, gender, finances, age, and health.
Choice and options
We recognize that choices may lessen with age. We prioritize older adults having choices that bring joy and connection, despite their circumstances.
Bilingualism
We support programs in Canada's official and indigenous languages and welcome other languages for older adults.
Our History
COVID-19 Pandemic: 2020-2024
As the world dealt with the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Eldercare Foundation had some big decisions to make. Long-term care was getting more complicated, and people's ideas about getting older were challenged. It was time for a new plan.
Local demand for a foundation helping older adults remained strong, but the Eldercare Foundation recognized the changing views on how to support seniors' quality of life. With the legacies of Adam Nihmey and Betty Gittens, and the support of dedicated followers, the Foundation adopted a new name: Fondation Miroir Foundation in 2022. Under this new name, the foundation is embracing a fresh perspective on ways to best support joyful and socially connected ageing and well-being not only within Ottawa, but across Canada.
Founding: 2008
In 2008, Adam Nihmey and Betty Hope Gittens founded the Eldercare Foundation of Ottawa, driven by a heartfelt mission to enhance seniors' quality of life in long-term care. Inspired by Adam's grandparents, they orchestrated fundraising events to address gaps in Ottawa's long-term care system and raise awareness of seniors' challenges. Over 14 years, their efforts rallied diverse support from donors, volunteers, and partners, earning them a respected local reputation. Their focus on improving both care and quality of life led to grants for equipment and program enhancements in Ottawa's long-term care facilities.
The Ottawa Community Foundation
The Miroir Foundation is grateful for the support of the Ottawa Community Foundation and the role it continues to play in enabling our work.
About our Name and Logo:
MIROIR is the French language term for “mirror” and holds profound significance relative to the aging experience we are seeking to create for older adults. As a metaphor, a mirror reflects not only our outer appearance but also our inner selves, providing introspection on who we are today, where life’s journey has taken us, and who we aspire to become.
Those of us lucky enough to experience older age can seize the opportunity to reflect on life's journey with its moments of cherished time with others, pursuits of joy, as well as our own personal experiences with feelings of loneliness, loss and sadness that have inevitably been a part of life’s fabric.
The Miroir Foundation team members embrace the miroir/mirror metaphor and we are compelled to take action by volunteering our time to positively impact the lives of older adults in our communities by helping to create more moments of social connection and joy for more people. We are mirrors reflecting onto each other. We know of the transformative power of experiences of joy – how it shapes us and those around us too. The Miroir Foundation logo (a drop of water causing ripples) symbolizes our vision to spread joy among older adults.
Charitable Registration Number: 834477184 RR 0001
Our Team
Linda Garcia
Linda Garcia has dedicated more than 40 years to improving the lives of older adults. Beginning her career as a speech-language pathologist supporting stroke survivors, she went on to become a university professor, researcher, and advocate for older adults, including those living with dementia. Through leadership roles in research and health sciences, she has championed innovation in aging. Today, she continues that commitment by helping ensure older adults can thrive and flourish.
President
Louise Bélanger-Hardy
Louise Bélanger-Hardy is a lawyer and academic specializing in health law, consent, and liability. A passionate advocate for the rights of older adults and stronger intergenerational connections, she has served on research ethics boards and as an adjudicator within Ontario's health professions system. She believes aging is a privilege and is proud to support the Miroir Foundation's mission.
Directory, Advocacy
Catharina spent most of her career working in the financial services industry where she honed her skills of prospecting, presenting and leading teams. After a 40-year career, she retired from BMO Bank of Montreal and found a way to give back to her community through working on projects that benefit older adults. This has been a truly rewarding experience for her.
TreasurerCatharina Van Es
Amélie Gauthier-Beaupré holds a Ph.D. in Population Health from the University of Ottawa, specializing in policies and technologies that support older adults in living independently. Through her research, publications, collaborations, and entrepreneurial work, she is dedicated to advancing opportunities that help older adults across Canada lead meaningful, fulfilling lives.
Director, Funded ProgramsAmélie
Gauthier-Beaupré
Afia Drah is a communications professional with over 10 years of experience in strategic communications. She specializes in making complex health and policy topics clear and accessible through storytelling, stakeholder engagement, and advocacy. She is passionate about supporting positive conversations around aging and older adults.
Director, Communications and MarketingAfia Drah
Alexandra Cline has over 20 years of experience recruiting global SAP teams and working with international clients. Her career spans team leadership, systems configuration, stakeholder engagement, and partner management, all grounded in a collaborative, solutions-focused approach. She is also deeply committed to service, with volunteer experience in hospice care, meal programs, and youth education. For Alexandra, service is a core part of living a purposeful life.
Director, Systems, Data and Impact InsightsAlexandra Cline
Haniya is a finance professional with two master’s degrees, including an MBA in Finance from the University of Ottawa. With experience in client-facing roles, she is passionate about connecting with people and improving their lives. As a Board Director at the Miroir Foundation, she supports fundraising and community engagement initiatives that reduce loneliness and create meaningful connections for older adults. She is committed to service, lifelong learning, and community involvement.
Director, FundraisingHaniya Habibollahi
With over 30 years of experience in high tech, energy efficiency, and sustainability, Sarah now focuses on improving the physical and mental well-being of older adults. As a social entrepreneur and board member of the Miroir Foundation, she is committed to supporting healthier, more active aging. A certified Seniors Fitness Instructor with the Canadian Centre for Activity and Aging, she brings her passion for movement, connection and wellness into her work with older adults.
Director, Communications and MarketingSarah Dehler
Our Volunteers
Ishika Tripathi is a recent BSc graduate from the University of Ottawa with an interest in aging and health related research. She has been involved in several research projects in the past related to the wellbeing of older adults, people living with dementia and palliative care. She is excited to continue supporting the wellbeing of older adults by promoting joyful programs through the MIROIR Foundation.
Ishika Tripathi
I am pleased to be part of Fondation Miroir Foundation (FMF) as a volunteer project manager since April 2025. I bring to this new challenge over 50 years of professional experience across diverse sectors - including Healthcare, Government, Defense, Insurance, Pulp and Paper, and consulting - and i'm excited to apply this background in supporting FMF's mission.
Yves Garcia
Charles Jia is a BSc graduate from the University of Ottawa, and is completing a Master’s in Epidemiology and Biostatistics at the University of Western Ontario. His previous and current projects have been related to aging, quality of life in older adults, dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, clinical epidemiology, and breast cancer.
Charles Jia
Amy Porteous has more than 22 years of leadership experience in healthcare across Eastern Ontario. She has led strategic planning, healthcare, fundraising, and community initiatives that strengthen organizations and improve lives. Amy holds a Master of Health Administration from the University of Ottawa and is a certified Ontario Long-Term Care Administrator. She is passionate about creating lasting community impact through her professional and volunteer work.
Amy Porteous
Our International Advisors
Thomas Jelley is a British-French former lawyer based in Helsinki with an MSc in sustainable development and experience in corporate sustainability, thought leadership, and stakeholder engagement. His work focuses on demographic aging and the life course, and he has collaborated with Canadian researchers on older adult well-being. He supports the Miroir Foundation’s development.
Thomas Jelley
Nidhi Mishra is an Associate Professor of Applied Psychology with a PhD in Psycho-Social Gerontology. Her work focuses on aging, wellbeing, and marginalized populations, including contributions to UN and UNFPA aging initiatives. She is the founder of Senior Express, promoting active aging in India.