September 23, 2025 | British Columbia
Massage with Meaning: CDI College RMT Student's Dedicated Outreach at Amenida in Surrey
When learning meets compassion, something powerful happens. This fall, Registered Massage Therapy (RMT) students from CDI College’s South Surrey campus are stepping out of the classroom and into the community, bringing their skills, warmth, and dedication to the residents of Amenida Seniors Community. As part of their Term 7 Dedicated Outreach, students from the South Surrey campus are visiting Amenida Seniors Community. As part of the dedicated outreach, they will provide massage therapy sessions to seniors, gaining valuable real-world experience while offering care and comfort to those who call Amenida home.
Hands-On Learning in Action
Massage therapy is best learned by doing. In the CDI College RMT program, students spend the early semesters studying anatomy, physiology, pathology, and a variety of massage techniques. By the time they reach Term 7, they are ready to apply their knowledge in supervised community settings.
At Amenida, the students prepare massage stations, sanitize supplies, and welcome seniors with professionalism and kindness. Under the careful guidance of instructors, they provide treatments aimed at reducing tension and improving mobility. These experiences go beyond technical skill. Students learn how to adapt to unique needs, communicate effectively, and build trust with clients. Each interaction teaches them that being an RMT is not just about muscles and joints. It is about empathy, patience, and listening. For many students, this dedicated outreach course represents the moment when their training becomes real. They see the difference their touch makes, and that understanding fuels their confidence as future health care professionals.
Experience the Amenida Difference
The dedicated outreach is enriched by the unique environment of Amenida Seniors Community. Amenida is more than a residence. It is a multicultural, family-centered community where seniors can thrive. With bilingual staff, diverse cuisines, and activities that celebrate cultural traditions, Amenida ensures that every resident feels at home.
Life at Amenida is vibrant. Seniors take part in fitness classes, creative workshops, cultural celebrations, and social gatherings. The facility also emphasizes inclusivity, respect, and the importance of connection. By inviting CDI College students to provide massage therapy, Amenida has added another dimension to its philosophy of individualized care for golden moments.
The seniors enjoy the physical benefits of massage such as improved circulation and reduced tension. More importantly, they appreciate the personal attention, the kindness of the students, and the joy of sharing their stories with a younger generation. In this way, Amenida becomes not just a place of care but a place of connection.
A Win-Win Experience and Why It Matters
What makes this partnership so powerful is that it benefits everyone involved.
Benefits for Seniors
For the seniors at Amenida, massage therapy brings more than physical relief. The sessions offer comfort, and the emotional boost of being cared for. Many residents describe leaving their treatments feeling lighter, more at ease, and re-energized.
Growth for Students
For CDI College students, dedicated outreach is an opportunity to grow in ways the classroom cannot provide. They practice professional communication, learn to adjust their techniques for unique needs, and witness firsthand how massage therapy improves quality of life. These lessons go beyond theory and build the confidence required for a successful career.
Value for the Community
The partnership also carries meaning for the wider community. It demonstrates how education and senior care can come together to create positive change. By connecting students with real clients, the outreach proves that practical training programs can have an immediate impact on people’s lives.
This initiative matters because it benefits everyone involved. Seniors enjoy improved well-being, students gain professional skills, and the community sees the value of collaboration. Together, CDI College and Amenida are preparing future massage therapists while enriching the daily lives of seniors in Surrey.
About CDI College’s RMT Program
The dedicated outreach at Amenida is just one example of the comprehensive training offered in CDI College’s Registered Massage Therapy Diploma program.
This program is designed to prepare students for rewarding careers in health care. In only 88 weeks, students move from foundational courses to advanced practice in state-of-the-art labs and supervised clinics. They graduate with both the knowledge and confidence needed to succeed.
Key highlights of the program include:
- 600 hours of clinical practice to ensure students gain real-world experience.
- Accreditation by the Canadian Massage Therapy Council for Accreditation (CMTCA), allowing graduates to sit for the licensing exams required by the College of Complementary Health Professionals of British Columbia.
- A 90% employment rate for RMT graduates at CDI College, British Columbia in 2023.
- Career opportunities in private clinics, rehabilitation centres, wellness spas, sports medicine facilities, geriatric care, and more.
Graduates of the program are equipped to work in diverse environments, from health spas and hotels to sports organizations and medical clinics. With the growing demand for massage therapists in Canada, CDI College students are entering a field with strong opportunities for growth.
Building Stronger Communities Together
Education has the power to transform lives, not only for students but also for the communities they serve. The dedicated outreach at Amenida is a clear example of this. By opening their doors, Amenida offers students a space to learn while giving residents access to therapies that improve their well-being.
This collaboration demonstrates the ripple effect of education. Students gain the confidence and experience they need. Seniors receive care that brightens their days. Families see their loved ones cared for with respect and compassion. The community benefits from the connection between two institutions committed to wellness and learning.
It is a partnership built on trust and shared values. CDI College believes in training students with hands-on experiences that prepare them for the real world. Amenida believes in creating a home where seniors can live with dignity, joy, and cultural connection. Together, they are proving that education and care go hand in hand.
Final Thoughts
Massage therapy is more than a set of techniques. It is a practice of care, healing, and connection. The dedicated outreach between CDI College’s RMT students and Amenida Seniors Community embodies this truth.
For students, it is a chance to take their education into the real world, to grow as professionals, and to discover the human side of health care. For seniors, it is an opportunity to experience connection and comfort. For Surrey, it is a reminder of what can happen when education and community come together. This is a message with meaning. It is hands-on learning that heals, teaches, and inspires. And it is only the beginning of what these future Registered Massage Therapists will bring to their communities.
If you are inspired by the idea of combining science, skill, and compassion in a career that makes a difference, explore the Registered Massage Therapy (RMT) program at CDI College. With 88 weeks of training, 600 hours of clinical practice, and the chance to participate in dedicated outreach opportunities like Amenida, you will graduate ready to start a fulfilling career as a Registered Massage Therapist.