On World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD) the leader of Family Voices Task Force is hoping to honour those who passed as well as bring real change to personal care homes. 

Eddie Calisto-Tavares is leading the Family Voices Task Force but counts herself first as the daughter of Manuel Calisto.

"My father passed away on November 11, 2020. My desire to lead Families Voices goes beyond my father," she says.

Calisto-Tavares's father was one of 56 people who died at the Maples Personal Care Home in Winnipeg during COVID.

"There is so much neglect and abuse in long-term care. COVID really made it more transparent," says Calisto-Tavares.

Her group is hoping to raise awareness about the need for a Manitoba Advocate for Seniors, much like the province has a Manitoba Advocate for Children and Youth.  

"On June 15 there is going to be a small group that will gather at the Maples and we're going to have 56 purple ribbons and decorating trees."

Another location the group will be at is the Legislative Building tying purple ribbons there as well. 

"We encourage people to tie a purple ribbon outside on their front yard or door to honour and memorialize and help us mourn all the seniors we lost during the COVID outbreak in the personal care homes."