Planned Lifetime Advocacy Network

Staying Connected Call (Weekly Zoom Call)
2025-04-02 16:00 - 17:00, 2025-03-26 16:00 - 17:00, 2025-03-19 16:00 - 17:00, 2025-03-12 16:00 - 17:00, 2025-03-05 16:00 - 17:00, 2025-02-26 16:00 - 17:00, 2025-02-19 16:00 - 17:00, 2025-02-12 16:00 - 17:00 (America/Vancouver) and 10 more dates
You’re invited to gather with long-time and new friends, learn about current advocacy opportunities, connect with others during fun sharing activities, and exchange ideas.
Please join the conversation, either by video or phone, and visit with other families looking to connect with families like YOU!
Email hello@plan.ca for the link!

Coquitlam Family Circle
2025-04-02 13:30 - 15:00 | Poirier Library 575 Poirier St Coquitlam BC V3J 6A9, 575 Poirier St BC, Coquitlam, British Columbia, V3J 6A9, Canada
You’re Invited!
At PLAN, we believe in the power of connection and the incredible strength that comes from families sharing their stories and supporting one another.
Many of you have shared the importance of having dedicated time just for parents and caregivers, and we are excited to invite you to our local Family Circle session in the Tri-Cities area!
Join us for tea, cake, and meaningful conversations in a safe, welcoming space. This is a chance to connect, share, and find reassurance—because you are not alone.

Please RSVP to Shelley at hello@plan.ca if you plan to attend.
We look forward to seeing you there!

Come Chat with Us: 'I Can Decide' Hosts an Intimate Conversation with Planned Lifetime Advocacy Network (PLAN)
2025-03-04 19:00 - 20:30 | Online Via Zoom
Join us for a heartfelt conversation hosted by I Can Decide, featuring the Planned Lifetime Advocacy Network (PLAN). This evening is a prime opportunity for our community to engage with an organization that champions the full citizenship, belonging, and leadership of people with disabilities and their families.
What’s Happening:
Our Roots: Discover the story of PLAN, a nonprofit founded in 1989 by families who envisioned a future where their children with developmental disabilities thrive as full citizens. These families initiated a movement to create personal networks that foster security, friendship, and support, ensuring no one faces the future alone.
Journey with PLAN: Learn about PLAN’s dedication to advancing a society where people with disabilities are recognized not just for their needs but for their contributions as leaders and innovators. Through creating personal support networks, fostering inclusive communities, and planning for the future, PLAN is committed to supporting individuals and families in leading lives marked by dignity, connection, and interdependence.
Building Stronger Ties: Explore how PLAN’s mission—to support individuals with disabilities in living fulfilling lives as active and valued members of their communities, to provide families with peace of mind, and to nurture inclusive and engaged communities—inspires our work at I Can Decide. We’ll discuss how to cultivate environments where relationships are the cornerstone of a good life, and every person has the freedom to shape their own future within a supportive community.
Join us for this meaningful evening as we explore together how strong relationships and personal networks can enrich our lives and communities.
For details and to reserve your spot, please contact Susan at spopper52@gmail.com.

February Family Network
2025-02-18 18:00 - 20:00
Dear PLAN Family Network,
One of the biggest concerns for families is ensuring their loved one with a disability has a strong, supportive network—both now and in the future. For over 30 years, PLAN families have experienced firsthand that their loved one’s safety and security depend on the number of meaningful relationships they have. The more relationships, the safer they are.
We invite you to join the PLAN Family Network this month for an important online conversation on the role that personal support networks play in safeguarding the future of a loved one with a disability.
A personal support network can:
Foster meaningful relationships and friendships.
Provide support for making decisions and planning for the future.
Ensure safety, security, and financial stability.
Create opportunities for inclusion, contribution, and full citizenship.
Together, we will explore how personal support networks help build a safe, secure, and meaningful future.
📅 Date Tuesday, February 18, 2025
⏰ Time 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM
This is a great opportunity to share experiences, ask questions, and learn from one another. Whether you are just starting to think about building a network or looking for ways to strengthen existing connections, we welcome you to the conversation!
RSVP by emailing Claire at hello@plan.ca to receive the link. We’d love to have you join us.
On behalf of the PLAN Family Network,
Claire

Health and Wellbeing in Developmental Disabilities Conference
2025-02-05 08:00 - 17:00
Intergenerational Planning and the Key Role of Friends and Relationship for Long-term Safety and Security

Presented by: Meaghen Taylor-Reid (Director of Advocacy and Planning, Planned Lifetime Advocacy Network (PLAN))

Come learn multiple stories about how Planned Lifetime Advocacy Network (PLAN)’s members are supported by networks of family, friends and professionals. These networks have connected and collaborated for decades and are now supporting intergenerational planning increasing the longer-term safety and security of our members across BC’s Lower Mainland. We will share specific stories of how networks have coordinated our members’ long-term safety and security

For more information, please check out: https://www.healthandwellbeingindd.ca/

Music and Stories Together
2025-01-30 15:30 - 16:30
Happy 2025 Everyone!
I hope the New Year is starting out well for you, it has been a challenging one thus far for some people so what better way to shake out the ‘Januaries’ than to get together, sing some songs, share some stories and gather to listen.
This Thursday at 3:30pm we will have the first Music and Stories Together on Zoom. Come and join us and participate however you see fit – sing, dance, listen, whatever works for you! Pop in for 5 minutes or stay for the hour, your choice.
Any requests? Just reply to this email and I’ll see what I can do! Thanks everyone!
Please email hello@plan.ca for the link.
Hope to see you on Thursday,
Sophie

Making Decisions Together: Perspectives on Guardianship and Representation in Community Living
2025-01-30 14:00 - 17:00
Rebecca Pauls and Barb Goode will be presenting to UBC’s Master of Social Work disability class on guardianship, representation agreements, and committeeship in the context of disability and the community living sector.
Rebecca, an experienced leader in advocacy, and Barb, a renowned self-advocate and activist, will share real-world perspectives and personal experiences. Together, they’ll explore the balance between protection and autonomy, the importance of supported decision-making, and the role of personal support networks in fostering inclusion and dignity.
Students will have an opportunity to deepen their understanding of critical legal and ethical issues affecting the disability community.

Family Network Meeting
2025-01-21 18:30 - 20:00 | Online Via Zoom
Happy New Year PLAN Family Network!
We’re excited to invite you to the January PLAN Family Network Conversation focused on financial security for a loved one with a disability.
Please join facilitators Shelley and Claire and fellow families for an online conversation on Tuesday, January 21, 2025, from 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm.
Together families will have the opportunity to explore topics related to financial planning and share their experiences, exchange knowledge, ask questions, and discuss strategies for safeguarding the future of their loved one.
Please email your RSVP for the January PLAN Family Network conversation to Claire at cinkster@plan.ca
If there are specific questions or topics you’d like to address, feel free to share them in advance.
We look forward to connecting with you next week!
On behalf of the PLAN Family Network,
Claire Inkster
January 2025 details for joining the Zoom Call
Date Tuesday, January 21, 2025
Time 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm
RSVP to hello@plan.ca
Staying connected throughout the month
Would you like to connect with other Family Network families outside of the monthly conversations? You are invited to join a “Family Network Contact List” by emailing your information to Claire Inkster at hello@plan.ca. This is an optional offering and the contact list will only be shared with other PLAN Family Network families.

Coquitlam Family Circle
2025-01-08 13:30 - 15:00 | Poirier Library 575 Poirier St Coquitlam BC V3J 6A9, 575 Poirier St BC, Coquitlam, British Columbia, V3J 6A9, Canada
You’re Invited!
At PLAN, we believe in the power of connection and the incredible strength that comes from families sharing their stories and supporting one another.
Many of you have shared the importance of having dedicated time just for parents and caregivers, and we are excited to invite you to our local Family Circle in the Tri-Cities area!
Join us for tea, cake, and meaningful conversations in a safe, welcoming space. This is a chance to connect, share, and find reassurance—because you are not alone.

Please RSVP to Shelley at hello@plan.ca if you plan to attend.
We look forward to seeing you there!

Music and Stories Together
2024-12-19 15:30 - 16:30
Hello fellow music and story lovers!

Here is the Fall schedule for Music and Stories Together, all run from 3:30-4:30pm PT on Zoom:

Wednesday Oct 2 – Fall Plans theme!
Thursday Oct 31 – Halloween theme!
Thursday Nov 28 – Gathering Friends theme!
Thursday Dec 19 – Holiday theme!

You’ll notice each event has a theme this year – we invite you to remember, dream and imagine a story or song to share or request around each theme!

Music and Stories Together is a beloved monthly event where PLAN members, friends and family come together to sing, share and tell stories around the Zoom ‘campfire’ – over time this has grown into a time to connect and we want to open up opportunities for everyone to share in a way that feels comfortable for you.

We ask that you bring an open mind, an open heart, a sense of humour, a desire to connect and respect for all involved.

Feel free to bring an instrument, a shaker, your dance moves and stories or just come to listen – participation is at your comfort level. All are welcome!

Please reach out to me at hello@plan.ca with music requests, ideas and questions and to request the Zoom link.

Looking forward to sharing music and stories with you,

Sophie

Community Connector Gathering
2024-12-12 19:00 - 20:00, 2024-11-28 19:00 - 20:00
Community Connectors Meetings are hosted each month and a time for the entire Community Connector team to come together to connect, spend time together to build relationships, tell stories, create ideas, and share learning and resources. The focus of these meetings is on PLAN’s Network Development process, meeting themes will include: Gifts, Relationships, Community, Important Considerations, Goals and Dream and Network Work Plans.

Vancouver Parent Transition Group
2024-12-04 18:30 - 20:30
VPTG meeting – Wednesday evening

December 4th at 6:30pm
Hello everyone,
We hope to see you all at our last meeting of 2024. December is always such a busy month for everyone but I think you will find our guest speakers to be of great value as you continue to plan for your youth.
Our first topic is Microboards. A Microboard is a small (micro) group of committed family and friends (a minimum of five people) who join together with a person with a disability to create a non-profit society (board).
This is particularly relevant for those of us who worry about ‘What will happen when we’re gone?”
We are very lucky to have Linda Perry, as speaker. As executive director of Vela Canada, for over 30 years, she brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to our group.
In addition, we will have a speaker from PLAN (Planned Lifetime Advocacy Network). This is a wonderful non profit that, as part of their mandate, works with people with disabilities and their families to build active and engaged personal support systems.
This promises to be an exciting and very informative evening and we look forward to seeing you.
As always, new folks are always welcome.
Wednesday December 4th
DDA Kaslo site, at 3455 Kaslo
6.30-8.30pm
Light Refreshments available
Free parking in the back
Yuko and Liz
