WATCH: A Family Tragedy Leads to ‘A Granddaughter’s Promise’ – Senior Living Advisor and Family Resource Specialist

By Steve Wilson and Lisa Nicholas // October 4, 2026

Founder Christine Canavan Hunt and her organization have helped over 5,000 families

WATCH: Christine Canavan Hunt recently sat down with Steve Wilson to discuss A Granddaughter’s Promise, an organization that works closely with families seeking guidance and resources to help them choose the right place for their loved one to live when they can no longer care for themselves. For information on A Granddaughter’s Promise, CLICK HERE.

BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – One of the most difficult things many people face is finding a senior living facility for a loved one.

Our parents take care of us when we are young, and we will, hopefully, take care of our parents and loved ones when they can no longer care for themselves. When that time comes, questions abound: Where do we go? What do we do?

For one family and one person, a real-life tragedy became a program that has helped thousands of families.

In 2004, Christine Canavan Hunt started A Granddaughter’s Promise because, within 27 days of being placed in an assisted living facility, her grandmother, Sally, passed away. Hunt told me her grandmother incurred “seven counts of abuse.”

I asked Hunt to describe her grandmother. She said, “My grandmother was ‘Sicilian fire’ wrapped in a woman—fearless, fiercely independent, worldly, and unapologetically herself. She passed down to me that Italian pepper and spice: a zest for adventure, a passion for being a woman, and the courage to live life out loud.”

Christine Canavan Hunt (left) and her grandmother, Sally, (right) are shown together. In 2004, Hunt started A Granddaughter’s Promise because, within 27 days of being placed in an assisted living facility, her grandmother, Sally, passed away. Hunt told Steve Wilson that her grandmother incurred “seven counts of abuse.”

Hunt told me that, after her grandmother died, she dedicated her time and talents to safeguarding the elderly against neglect and abuse and that she also served as an advocate and a conduit for family members who are caregivers.

As someone who understands first-hand what families are faced with, Hunt is happy to “hold their hands through the entire transition” and to help them come to acceptance.

Throughout the past 22 years, A Granddaughter’s Promise has helped more than 5,000 families navigate difficult situations. They offer in-person assistance, have professional counselors available, and provide many more services – all at NO COST to the family.

Hunt, who is a Certified Dementia Practitioner, works with her husband, Dr. Richard Leo Hunt, to advise and counsel countless clients. Together, they have changed many lives for the better.

Christine Canavan Hunt, left, and her husband, Dr. Richard Leo Hunt, work with A Granddaughter’s Promise, an organization that works closely with families seeking guidance and resources to help them choose the right place for their loved one to live when they can no longer care for themselves.

Remember, there are wonderful assisted living facilities on the Space Coast. However, when we venture into “uncharted waters,” it’s wise to seek guidance. That is where A Granddaughter’s Promise comes into play.

Hunt told me it is an “honor to be an advocate here in the State of Florida.” I feel like it is our honor, and good fortune, to have her as an advocate for safe, senior living. The good Lord willing, we will all be there one day. It’s comforting to know people like Christine Canavan Hunt are working for us and are on our side!

This article is sponsored by Erdman Automotive and Craig Technologies.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Steve Wilson moved to Brevard County in 1984 and has been a partner, along with Orville Susong, for the past 25 years with the Friday Night Locker Room, a broadcasting team that covers and reports on a wide variety of local events significant to residents of the Space Coast and beyond. Their mission is to promote youth sports and the space industry, support first responders and law enforcement personnel, and showcase community and charitable events that are produced by our nonprofit partners in central Florida.

Steve Wilson was born in DeRidder, Louisiana, and grew up in both New Orleans and Macon, Georgia. He moved to Brevard County in 1984 and retired from local government as the Community Advocate/Assistant to the City Manager with the City of Rockledge in 2018.

Among the awards and accolades Steve has received over the years are 15 + year Rockledge Little League volunteer, Brevard Public School Jefferson Award Recipient, Rockledge High School Raider Booster Award 2001, 2006, City of Rockledge Employee of the Year 2006, Rockledge Kiwanian of the Year 2006-2007, City of Rockledge Quality Public Service Award 2008, 2012, 2017, Rockledge Kiwanis Citizen of the Year 2012-2013, Space Coast Sports Hall of Fame – Sportscasting 2015, Rockledge High School Leadership and Service Award 2016, Central Florida Humanitarian Award 2017, Space Coast Inspiration Award – 2018, Space Coast Sports Hall of Fame – Lifetime Achievement – 2020, Ecofest Achievement Award – 2022, Quality Floridian Award – 2022, presented by U.S. Congressman Bill Posey, Florida House District 32 Constituent of the Week 4/20/25.

Wilson is especially proud of chairing two fundraisers in support of pediatric cancer research through the St. Baldrick’s Foundation, in honor of Merritt Island resident Julie Spurlock, that raised over $25,000.00.

He has been a partner, along with Orville Susong, for the past 27 years with the Friday Night Locker Room, a broadcasting team that covers and reports on a wide variety of local events significant to residents of the Space Coast and beyond. Their mission is to promote youth sports, support first responders and law enforcement personnel, and showcase community and charitable events that are produced by our nonprofit partners in central Florida.

The Friday Night Locker Room has awarded hundreds of sports achievement plaques to Brevard County student-athletes over the years. They have also awarded more than $18,000 in academic scholarships to Brevard County high school seniors.