Support Network of Whistler (SNOW) Program: Skill Building & Action Steps

A life transition comes at all ages, stages and may be due to a change of family structure, health concern and loss of a spouse or a close friend. One of the most common life changes for seniors is the transition from the workforce. The idea of retirement can come with many expectations. Unfortunately, not everyone’s dream of retirement will develop into fruition and it comes in all shapes and forms. Some people slowly decrease their work commitments while others leave their job and never look back.

I’ve heard individuals speak of their loss of identity when they retire from the workforce. Retirement is a time of personal reflection and creating new goals for the next chapter in your life. You are never too old to set new intentions for yourself. Learning a new skill such as painting, a language, or working a part-time job are all activities that seniors often explore. Truly understanding what you want out of ‘the next chapter’ in your life is easier said than done.  Once you set a goal what steps do you take to accomplish it?   Who can help you move forward?  There are many resources within our community that are often overlooked our under used if you are not aware of them.  Whistler Community Services Society(WCSS)  offers  a program called Support Network of Whistler(SNOW). It runs twice per year and the next session will begin on Tuesday April 7^th and meets weekly until June 8^th.  Over the 8 week session, the program facilitator, Christine Suter will focus on a variety of topics related to your personal wellness and will provide tools to accomplish your goals.  

Once your personal goals have been identified and you are aware of the community resources to assist you, the next step is bringing it all together and making it a reality. This may take time, an adjustment to your daily routine and also striving to find balance between “work and play”. It may also require an adjustment to your finances, daily spending and budgeting. The SNOW program incorporates a session with a financial advisor who will help provide some clarity and realistic tools to manage and plan for your future.

Each participant, in this program, is on their own personal journey of development, planning and change. The weekly group atmosphere hopes to provide a social element which can also create a support network and group of people who can encourage your growth and progression.  The SNOW program still has some limited availability and pre-registration is required. For more information and enrollment please call the WCSS office at 604-932-0113.

Whistler Community Services Makes Some Turns!

Members of the WCSS team enjoyed Fresh Tracks up Whistler Blackcomb today! Although it was greybird, the food was tasty and the snow conditions were great. Get out for some fresh air with your friends, and enjoy the slushy spring conditions.

Whistler Welcome Week 2014 Fun

Whistler Community Services Society is happy to have wrapped up another successful Welcome Week! Welcome Week is a series of low cost, alcohol free events, that encourage new residents to get acquainted with WCSS services and programs, get involved in the community and get to know the locals! A lot of fun was had at a variety of events such as our Pancake Breakfast, Ski Movie, Expo and Community Welcome Dinner. WCSS would like to thank all of our partners, volunteers and staff that make this week possible. Stay tuned for exciting changes for next year's Welcome Week.

Getting Together with WCSS!

Whistler Community Services Society is getting next level with events. We want to give a huge thank you to all of our sponsors and partners who enable us to continue to provide support to community members.

Here is a recap of some recent events;

Whistler Village Beer Festival contributed $5,000 to support our services and programs. Craft beer and community support! Score.

Dr. Gabor Mate, gave an outstanding presentation on attachment parenting, attended by 700+ community members. To learn more about Dr. Mate, visit http://drgabormate.com/. Thank you to the District PAC and Squamish Savings.

 

 

Stay tuned for more events happening with WCSS, such as our notorious Welcome Week happening Nov. 17th-21st. Whether you are new to town or a long time local, Welcome Week provides fun, low cost, alcohol-free events to kick off winter in Whistler, as well as establish a sense of community for Whistler-ites old and new!

An evening with Dr.Gabor Mate

 

A grandparent is a tough job, spoil your grand children then return them to their parents. Someone close to children will experience both the children good behavior and also their challenging behavior. As the Whistler Community Services Society (WCSS) Seniors Outreach worker, I provide a confidently listening ear to hear some of the challenges that grandparents face. I hear the concerns that as an ‘outsider’ having an opinion on how their grandchildren are being raised is difficult. In my role I work with the grandparents to support them and offer resources that can help direct them to service for family support. With 3 other outreach workers on staff there is opportunity for our staff to support families here in Whistler. WCSS and the Whistler Secondary School, Parent Advisory Committee and Squamish Savings are hosting Dr. Gabor Mate who is world renowned for his knowledge and ability to offer solutions to individuals of all ages dealing with challenging life solutions. As a TED (Technology, Entertainment and Design) presenter, Dr. Mate brings years of experience as a physician and his focus on human development through the lens of science and compassion, brings a new perspective to ones health. Conference that host Dr.Mate as a key note speaker cost in the hundreds of dollars cost. Here in Whistler WCSS and the Whistler Secondary School PAC are able to host the event with the cost of tickets for only $10 on Tuesday September 23 from 7pm to 9pm at Whistler Secondary School. This evening he will focus on why children are stressed. (which I’m sure that grandparents witness) This presentation will touch on why parents (grandparents) and teachers are disempowered and how to restore the healthy balance in adult-children relationships. Tickets can be purchased on-line at the event brite site, www.eventbrite.ca and search Dr. Mate in Whistler. This event is going to be stunning. Having the opportunity to host Dr. Mate in our own backyard, and learn how to restore the healthy balance in adult-children relationships is in itself a reason to come out and support this presentation

Parenting Beyond the Toddler Years

Parents, think back to the moment you found out that you/your partner was pregnant. Feelings of joy, excitement and fear of the responsibility and unknown permeated your life for awhile. You probably dealt with these feelings by picking up 'What to Expect When You're Expecting', or 'Dr Spock's Baby and Child Care' and promptly signed up for prenatal classes. Learning about pregnancy, infants and toddlers was a way to feel better prepared for your new adventure in parenting. Somewhere along the way though, you and your little one outgrew parent infant drop in and toddler time groups and at that point you may have stopped seeking information about your growing child since the basics were covered. 
The tween and teen years bring about a new need for information and your changing children require you to continue to take an active role in learning about parenting. With that in mind, please have a look at two amazing opportunities outlined below.

Join us for an evening with Dr. Gabor Mate Physician, Author, TED Talk
Presenter & Public Speaker on September 23, 2014, 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. at Whistler Secondary School.
Peer Orientation: Why Children are Stressed, Why Parents and Teachers are Disempowered and How to Restore the Healthy Balance in Adult-Child Relationships 

Tickets are $10 and can be purchased online here. To learn more about Dr. Gabor Mate or to listen to his most current TED Talk please visit www.drgabormate.com
Presented by Squamish Savings, District Parent Advisory Council (DPAC) & Whistler Community Services Society (WCSS)

                        Connect Parent Group
Do you want to learn more about your child’s behaviour? Connect is coming to Whistler!

Connect is an attachment-based program for parents and caregivers of children/youth (8-18) who are struggling to understand and respond to difficult behaviour. Parents meet in small groups with 2 trained group leaders for 10 weeks, 1 hour each week. Each session provides parents with new information about parent-child relationships and adolescent development.

Parents watch role-plays and try exercises that offer new choices for responding to their child’s behaviour. Connect understands that each child, and each parent, is different, and that change is part of development. Rather than teach only one way of parenting, Connect helps parents see choices that support healthy relationships, including setting limits and helping their child to
move forward. 

If you would like to register for the program, or if you require more information, please call 604-902-0809, or email Leanne.Toews@gov.bc.ca.

Dates: October 6 – December 15
Day: Monday
Time: 5 – 6 p.m.
Age: Parents
Fee: Free
Location: Myrtle Philip Community Centre