Committed to community – Genevieve Ashwell’s legacy

Genevieve Ashwell grew up in a small, close-knit community in rural Alberta called Wolf Creek. As a daughter of a storekeeper, and a witness to the interdependence between her town and the surrounding farming community, Ashwell developed values that shaped her commitment to giving back.  

“We were just a small group of kids trekking to school – some even on horseback,” Ashwell said. “It was the type of place where you learned to appreciate people, hard work, and looking out for each other.” 

Though she originally planned to become a nurse, Ashwell’s path pivoted. Nursing was a great preparation for later life, giving her valuable skills and experience. She worked as an office administrator before earning an Arts degree with a major in English in 1985. This encouraged her to join the office Toastmasters group and later contribute by editing a church newsletter.

Her nursing experience was especially useful during the 15 years she worked as a Home Care worker, caring for clients in their homes.

And through it all, one constant in Ashwell’s life has been the church. Now worshiping in Edmonton, Alberta, Ashwell says: “The church has been so important to me – not just in how I understand God, but in how I understand the world.” It was through the church that she found a community of women who knit items for people experiencing homelessness, and it’s also where she first learned about the work of Alongside Hope. 

Over the years, Ashwell has opened her home to boarders from around the world, including newcomers to Canada – some of whom stayed for years. Her openness to others is deeply rooted in her belief in human connection and community-building. “We’re not meant to hoard what we have,” she shared. “We’re meant to share it. It’s how the world works best.” 

A memory from her travels illustrates this beautifully. While visiting Jamaica, Ashwell came across a group of children swimming in a hidden pool, far from the busier parts of the city. “They were happy, curious kids,” she laughed. “But what stuck with me most was their joy. Real joy. We can learn so much from people when we step outside of our own world.” 

Now, Ashwell is continuing that spirit of generosity by leaving a legacy gift to Alongside Hope. Her motivation for the gift is simple: “We have a responsibility to help each other, especially those living in poverty. I may not know exactly where the money will go – but I trust it will be used well, and that it will help people who need it most.” 

For Ashwell, the injustice of the distribution of wealth weighs heavily on her. She believes deeply that the church and its community must do more to support the vulnerable. “God doesn’t ask us to be rich. He asks us to care for the poor, seek justice, to be generous. And if we really understood that we’d act differently.” 

One region particularly close to her heart is Madagascar, where her father was born in 1901. Her grandparents lived and worked there for over 40 years, and her aunt followed in their footsteps. “It’s a place that’s part of my family’s story,” she said. “And I’d love to visit someday.” 

When asked what gives her hope for the future, Ashwell’s answer is both simple and profound: the next generation’s capacity to build communities. “There are still people out there who want to do good,” she said. “People who understand that we need to work together – not against each other. That’s what gives me hope.” 

To anyone considering leaving a legacy gift, Ashwell doesn’t hesitate: “Just do it. You can’t take anything with you. Make plans for after you’re gone – and make sure those plans help someone else. It’s one of the most powerful things you can do.” 

To learn more about making a legacy gift, please contact Manita Swati, Planned Giving and Major Gifts Specialist, at mswati@alongsidehope.org.