2010 Conference
In October, 2010 the Family Focus Society co-hosted a national Conference in Whistler, B.C, entitled ”Families, a Journey of Generations Moving Mountains” along with the Canadian Association for Community Living (CACL) and the BC Association for Community Living (BCACL).
Over 500 people from across B.C. and Canada came together in Whistler to attend over 48 workshop sessions. View the conference program here.
Letter to conference participants from Family Focus President Terry Robertson:
Another successful conference is completed and we want to thank the hundreds of you who came and took part. We deeply appreciate the time you took to fill out evaluation forms providing us with comments about a variety of issues. Many of you complemented us on the sessions and the presenters, thank you. The Opening and Closing Plenary's were big hits and we thank John Lord for coming and sharing his passion and commitment to our movement, Community Living. The vendors seemed to always be busy at their booths and everywhere you looked people were visiting and networking. It was so terrific to see folks connecting. The setting was beautiful and the hotel spectacular. The dinner and dance on Saturday night was quite the party and I think a "great time was had by all"! Thank you to all of the support staff, volunteers and the board members from all three organizations, The Canadian Association for Community Living, The B.C. Association for Community Living and The Family Focus Society who spent hours and hours working to pull the entire event together. Our thanks to Sea to Sky Management for their help with registration and onsite organization.
Here are a few quotes from families who participated in the conference:
“The conference provided an abundance of information to strengthen our thinking, resilience and action for building an inclusive community. Various ideas were presented around action, relationships and network building. Since attending the conference I have networked with our community partners, to bring the Duke of Edinburgh program as an inclusive program for all participants. The expected date for the program to unfold is in January 2011”.
“I learned a great deal at this conference, but if I were to choose one thing that stood out the most it is the importance of creating community networks. Thank you again for giving me space to connect with families, to access resources and to re-galvanize myself in this effort for my child and any children who can follow in his path.
“I also took great comfort in knowing that we are not alone. Our struggles, our frustrations, our heartaches, and our joy in small things, is something that is shared by so many other families.”
“To summarize we all felt more confident in ourselves, had acquired some good skills and knowledge by participating in this event”.
“I know that I want to go to University and have a job after. My mom is going to arrange a time for me to talk to my friends about the things I learned so they can get excited about life after high school, too!”
“Just wanted to say thank you for all your help getting us to the convention! We met some great people and got some contacts and information. It also is a relief to speak with so many who understood our lives.”
“The experience of our whole family travelling to Whistler to attend the conference was a positive experience. Our son made new friends at the dance and this was one of his happiest life experiences. He was accepted by the group and we have their numbers & will keep the connections for him.”
“It was wonderful to re-connect with other parents I had met at previous conferences and meet new people. One of the biggest joys I have gotten from attending this conference is seeing the way in which all attendees are accepted and what a great time they have.”
