Cindy Benerayan: Values Built on Care

For Cindy Benerayan, home has never just been a location – it’s a feeling shaped by culture, food, language, love, and faith, all interwoven into everyday life.

Growing up in the Greater Toronto Area and raised by Filipino immigrant parents, her family was always close-knit, with celebrations rooted in community and care. Whether it was Christmas, birthdays, or Sunday dinners, there was always a reason to gather and to cook, laugh, and connect. “We didn’t need a big occasion to make it special. Being together was enough,” she says.

One of her most cherished traditions is making lumpia, Filipino spring rolls, with her mother. More than a dish, it has become a symbol of family, comfort and care. “We always make them together. She preps the filling, and I roll them while we talk,” she says. “It is not just food. It is connection. It is love.” To this day, she still cooks the same recipes. “It keeps me grounded. Even when life gets busy, those meals remind me of who I am and where I come from,” she shares.

It was through experiences like these that Cindy recalls her parents and grandparents shaping the values that remain with her today. “They taught me what it means to show up for others. Not just in the big moments, but in the everyday ways that make people feel seen and cared for. They remind me of who I am, and the kind of care I want to bring into the world.”

Also guided by her Catholic faith, Cindy shares how faith and culture are deeply connected in Filipino culture. “It’s how we support each other, how we forgive, how we keep going,” she says. By celebrating with intention, Cindy recognizes that events such as Christmas are not just about religion, but opportunities for “togetherness, gratitude, and remembering what matters most.”

Her Journey into Healthcare

Cindy’s mom was a PSW, her sister is a nurse. Despite her families’ strong ties to healthcare, Cindy never saw that path for herself. “I always knew I wanted to help people in my own way,” she recalls. “But it was seeing how they cared for people and the impact they had that made me think about how I could help too.”

She took health administration classes and realized that you could help people in meaningful ways without being at the bedside. “Impacts can be made by helping behind the scenes to support systems and improve care for patients and staff,” she shares.

However, after moving to Brantford a few months ago, Cindy felt a shift. “It was a bit of a culture shock. I was in a new place and not many people looked or shared similar traditions to me,” she recalls. “It made me think about how important it is to feel seen, to feel like there’s space for you. You don’t always realize how much it matters until you don’t see it.”

Belonging in Practice

Holding onto that feeling Cindy chose to join the efforts in creating and being a part of something that makes others feel like they belong too. When asked why stories like hers are important, Cindy speaks from the heart. “Because someone out there might be reading this and thinking, ‘I feel that too.’ And that one moment of connection might be the thing that helps them feel safe, or stay, or speak up.”

With more awareness of the importance of seeing yourself reflected in your workplace and in your community, Cindy lives by the principle:"Treat others the way you want to be treated. That is how I try to live. Make people feel like they belong in your space. Because that is how I want to feel in theirs.”

Lumpia Shanghai (Filipino Spring Rolls)

Click here to view the full recipe.

This feature is part of the “I Belong” campaign, where BCHS employees, professional staff, and volunteers are given the opportunity to share their personal stories, strengthening a culture of belonging that empowers each individual and deepens our collective mission to provide exceptional care. Together, we’re creating a more inclusive, connected, and empowered BCHS.