Dear Families, We warmly invite you to join us for a thoughtful and open conversation about fostering meaningful relationships and connections for our loved ones living with disabilities. Theme: Connections That Work: Strategies for Nurturing Meaningful Relationships Date: Tuesday, May 20, 2025 Time: 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM (PDT) During our conversation, we’ll explore: What does connection look like for our loved ones? How can social opportunities be cultivated to match unique communication styles and preferences? Who are the people our loved ones can count on—and how can these relationships be nurtured? What is working (or not working) as our loved ones explore friendships and reconnections? This is not a presentation or workshop—it’s a chance to gather, reflect, and share ideas in a welcoming space. Whether you are just beginning to think about building relationships or are looking to strengthen existing ones, your insights and experiences are welcome. RSVP by emailing Claire Inkster at hello@plan.ca (fb)

Welcome Johanna Bartels! We are so pleased to welcome Johanna Bartels to our PLAN team. Johanna brings over 20 years of experience at the intersection of community building, creative arts, and social inclusion. With a background in psychology and graphic design, she has dedicated her career to fostering belonging, amplifying cultural expression, and strengthening community connections. Johanna has designed and led arts and literacy programs, provided family counseling and case management, and managed creative projects for nonprofits and grassroots organizations. Her leadership extends to serving on the boards of Arts New West, the WestEnd BIA, Umbrella Multicultural Co-op, and the New West Film Fest, and she has been an active grant jury member for the Neighbourhood Small Grants program. Fluent in English and Spanish, Johanna brings a bilingual, community-centered perspective to her work, helping to build bridges across diverse communities. In her new role at PLAN, Johanna will work closely with families, community partners, and the PLAN team to co-create warm, accessible materials that reflect the voices, experiences, and strengths of the people we serve. Her work will help transform planning resources, visual guides, and storytelling tools into welcoming, thoughtful invitations to connection and belonging. As a Creative Design Partner, Johanna will help bring PLAN’s mission to life visually—ensuring that every resource we share is clear, inclusive, and rooted in relationship. At the same time, Johanna will also serve as a Mentor, walking alongside individuals and families as they build and sustain personal support networks. Her community-centered approach, creativity, and deep commitment to inclusion make her a wonderful addition to the PLAN community. We are thrilled to have Johanna join us and look forward to the compassion, cultural wisdom, and creative leadership she brings to PLAN. (fb)