Families and Friends of Individuals Served

  • Individuals supported by the CLS have the opportunity to choose others to support them in decision-making, to ensure that their wishes are heard in the planning and provision of services.
  • The CLS facilitates each individual's relationship with his or her families and friends and supports their full and unhindered access to one another.
  • Families and friends often contribute to and participate in CLS training sessions.

Many of our families belong to the Family Link Society of B.C.

Did you know...

...Family Link personally welcomes all families new to CLS. We will show you around the administrative office, introduce you to CLS staff, informally meet with other families, and invite you to the next Beliefs & Values session. The CLS was founded on these Beliefs & Values and all families should be aware of them, so they know what to expect of community living for their family member. If there are other families out there who would like a refresher visit, tour or would like to attend the Beliefs & Values, just give us a call--we'd love to meet you too. If any family is in need of our service please send us an email.

What is Family Link?

The Community Family Link Society, B.C. (Family Link), is an informal, non-profit organization of parents, family members and friends of individuals with disabilities. Our main activity is "families helping families". We surround families with the experience and support needed to enable them to become effective advocates for their family members.

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What does Family Link believe?

Family Link believes that all individuals:

  • Are unique and have worth, regardless of disability;
  • Have the right to live a life of dignity;
  • Have the opportuity to live a normal lifestyle in their own communities;
  • Enjoy full rights of citizenship as guaranteed under the Canadian Charter of Rights;
  • Have the right to independent personal planning;
  • Have guaranteed access to generic services;
  • Have the right to services that are focussed directly on them;
  • Have the right to the dollars spent, being tied directly to them (individualized funding as a choice); and
  • Have the right to personal support.

In order to exercise these rights, individuals need the support of family members or people who have good bonding relationships with them, to keep those interests as the primary focus.

Filling this role demands a lot from families.
Often they feel alone when trying to represent
the rights of their family member. When they
come up against obstacles, or when they are
faced with a crisis, they need to know there
are others who have been where they are, and
who are willing to share their experiences with them.

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What can Family Link do for you?

As a relative or advocate of a person with a disability, the following are ways in which Family Link might support you. A family support person can:

  • Meet you in person or talk with you on the phone;
  • Extend an attentive ear, a caring attitude and emotional support;
  • Share personal experiences and offer practical tips;
  • Introduce you to other families with similar experiences;
  • Walk you through the planning done with professionals;
  • Accompany you to meetings; and
  • Help to ensure that your voice is heard and respected.

You can contact us by email...Family Link

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Family Links

Disability Benefits Changes (Update on the new definition of disability and application form for Disability Benefits.)

Representation Agreements (A non-government charitable society volunteer driven, supported by the organizations and individuals who have been involved for up to 10 years in bringing about reform of adult guardianship legislation.)

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Family Link Board Members

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Vern Chatten

Vern is a parent of a daughter supported by the Community Living Society. He was part of the original Woodlands Parents' Group and has been active, along with his wife, Pat, in many issues relating to community living.

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Lucille Ayers

Lucille is a parent of a son who lives in a home supported by the Community Living Society. She has been active for many years with the Simon Fraser Society as a Board Member and on committees. She has been a working member of Family Link for about 5 years.

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Arlene Schouten

Arlene was the mother of "Natalie", a young woman who had complex medical needs. Natalie received individual funding, was supported by the CLS and Brokerage Service. Arlene is the Family Link Representative on the CLS Board and a Member of the Individualized Funding Coalition.

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Isabelle MacInnes

Long time Family Link Member, Isabelle MacInnes is a parent of a son who lives in his home supported by the CLS. Isabelle has been promoting and supporting inclusive community living for many years.

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Peggy White

Peggy White, mother of Bill who is supported by Community Living Society, is a former member of the Woodlands Parents' Group. Peggy served on the board of the CLS for 6 years, is a former Board member of the Simon Fraser Society, and has been a Family Link Society member for 5 years.

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Jackie Maniago

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Edith Cook

Edith is the mother of "Isabelle" who lives in a home supported by the Community Living Society. Edith was part of the original Woodlands Parents' Group and has been a member of the Family Link Society since its inception.

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Peter Stillwell

Peter, who is a new Family Link member, is brotherr-in-law to Peter Oka who has mental challenges and is also blind. Peter Oka left Woodlands School in 1983 and now lives in a Burnaby group home supported by the Community Living Society. Both Peters have known each other for 41 years, and along with his wife Masako support Peter Oka by visiting him regularly and talk by telephone several times daily.

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