Contributed by Monique Nelson, Family Resources Coordinator for posAbilities

Family to family support makes a real difference in people’s lives, especially during times of transition. Whether you’re moving to a new school, city or stage in life – it’s a relief to talk to someone who has been there too. I have pulled a few resources from my toolkit to share and invite you to pop by one of the following groups where everyone is welcome.

 

Organization Focus Meeting Dates Contact
Square Peg Society
Support young adults who are atypical or have Asperger’s Syndrome and their families, in transitioning to adulthood.
Group shares research, holds discussions and plans. Proposed topics: Sept. 24, HousingOct. 29, Belonging

Nov. 26, Family Collectives

Last Thursday of each month at Vancity, South Burnaby Branch,5064 Kingsway,7-9pm Parent leaders: Louvain, louvain@heli-college.com or
Joette, fredm@allstar-pacific.com
Vancouver Parents Transition Group
Support for youth of all abilities in transition to adulthood (grades 10-12) and older. Youth care available.
Listen to a speaker, meet other parents, share ideas and experiences.  Oct. 7 – 6:30-8:30pm3455 Kaslo St., Vancouver

Welcome, introduction to resources.

 

Meet once a month at one of two locations, on Wednesday evenings in East Vancouver or on Saturday mornings on the Westside. See website for upcoming topics, locations and details: www.vptg.ca, email: transitionparents@gmail.com call coordinators: Liz Cochran (604) 733-6252 or Yuko McCulloch (604) 222-2258. 
posAbilities’ Family Support Network
Founded by senior family members who are interested in planning for the future.
Educational focus on a variety of topics including personal and financial planning, sector updates and agency news. Social time at each meeting. Everyone welcome.  Fourth Thursday, every other month, at posAbilities‘ Head Office, 240-4664 Lougheed Hwy, Burnaby, Sept.24 – 1-3pm Guest Paula Grant discusses Service Quality Review. Monique Nelson MNelson@posAbilities.ca(604) 299-4001

Please RSVP, complimentary parking and refreshments.

*posAbilitiesLaurel Behaviour Support Services provides Group Triple P™ Stepping Stones, a positive parenting program that fosters community. For more information, visit www.laurelbc.ca or call (778) 945-1435.
Family Support Institute of BC
Supports approximately 10,000 families who have a family member with a disability each year. This support stems mainly from our large volunteer network of Resource Parents (RP’s) who offer to support other families faced with similar circumstances.
Connects parents to parents and advocates, and hosts, workshops, annual training weekend, summer institute for educators , and these key initiatives:1. Matches Employers (Families) to Support Workers through:

Supportworkercentral.com

2. Matches families to local resources through:

Findsupportbc.com

3. Engages families whose relative is on the path to employment through FamilyWORKs chapter meetings across Metro Vancouver:

http://familyworksbc.com/

See website for details and to sign up for newsletters. Office: 227 6th StreetNew Westminster, BC V3L 3A5

Phone: (604) 540-8374 ext. 523

Toll Free: 1-800-441-5403

Fax: (604) 540-9374

Email: fsi@fsibc.com

Web: familysupportbc.com

Please note that there are many more community groups with unique areas of focus, some by disability, others by interest. posAbilities hosts a useful links section on our website (and a downloadable pdf), to help you navigate through some options that may work for your family.

There are many ways to connect and find support. You might find that your tribe meets on a mountain, (check out Vancouver Adaptive Snow Sports), or on a soccer field (Blazing Soccer Dogs anyone?). If recreational or social groups are what you are looking for, there is an abundance of adapted and inclusive options to suit a variety of interests and abilities. Your community centre of the new database Findsupportbc.com are great places to begin your search.

In closing, I wish you a fruitful Fall season and look forward to seeing photos of you and your tribe! We welcome public posts on our Facebook page if you’d care to share – posAbilitiesCA .