Whistler Independent Supported Housing - WISH

10/20/2026

🎨💙 Sarah’s Dream: Art That Inspires a More Inclusive Future
Sarah Colpitts’ artwork brought people together for something truly special.

On September 22 and 23, more than 165 people gathered at Arts Umbrella on Granville Island to experience an exhibition of Sarah’s artwork, celebrate her dream, and support WISH’s vision for a more inclusive community.

Since September 22, $24,650 has been raised in support of Sarah’s Dream and WISH. With matching funds, that’s $49,300 toward a future where adults with developmental disabilities can have a place to call home, build independence, and feel a strong sense of belonging.

We’re deeply grateful to Sarah’s extended family for making this possible through a generous matching-fund opportunity of up to $90,000. Every eligible donation made before November 29, 2026, can help bring us closer to this goal.

Sarah’s dream is about more than housing. It’s about creating a community where people of all abilities can live, participate, contribute, and thrive.

💙 Help make Sarah’s Dream a reality. Donate before November 29 and help your gift go further through the matching opportunity.

Donate here: https://www.zeffy.com/en-CA/donation-form/sarahs-dream

10/19/2026

🎸 Whistler, you’re under HOUSE ARREST!

Lawyers by day. Rock gods by night. Join WISH for an evening of live music, dancing and doing good!

📍 GLC, Whistler
📅 Saturday, November 28, 2026
🚪 Doors 8 pm | Music 9 pm
✨ Silent auction + 50/50 draw
🔞 19+

Round up your crew and help support homes for adults with developmental disabilities in our community. 💙💛

🎟️ Tickets available at: https://www.zeffy.com/en-CA/ticketing/wish-society-house-party-tickets

10/18/2026

10/16/2026

💙 Thank You for Making Sarah’s Dream Possible 💙

Our two Sarah’s Dream: An Evening of Giving & Celebration events brought people together around a shared vision of community, inclusion, and a future where adults with developmental disabilities can live, participate, and thrive.

We’re incredibly grateful to everyone who helped make these evenings so special. A heartfelt thank-you to our featured corporate sponsor, Strand Development, and to Arts Umbrella for generously providing the venue and supporting the exhibition of Sarah Colpitts’ artwork. We also extend our sincere thanks to Legacy Liquor Store , Please! Beverage Co. and Granville Island Brewing for their generous support.

To our hosts, John and Nina Cassils, our event and fundraising committees, and the WISH Society Board of Trustees — thank you for your time, generosity, commitment, and belief in what we’re building together. Your efforts helped create two meaningful evenings in honour of Sarah’s dream and her grandmother, Heather Notman, our Honorary Chair In Memoriam.

Together, we’re working toward 10 purpose-built homes at The Traverse in Whistler’s Cheakamus Crossing, with supportive programming and shared community spaces that will help adults with developmental disabilities build independence, inclusion, and belonging.

Thank you for being part of this dream and helping build a more inclusive future for our community. 🏡💙

A further special thank-you to the many people who gave their time and energy to make Sarah’s Dream a success.

💙 Event Committee: Nina Cassils, Jill Notman Colpitts, Greg Colpitts, Stephanie Corcoran, Susan Evans, Evelyn Froese, Vita Kalns, Andrea Kavanagh, Bob McDonald, Ajay Nehru, Hugh Notman, Leanne Chan Pedersen, Bill Phillips, and Vivian Thom.

💙 Fundraising Committee: Nina Cassils, Susan Evans, Sue Hargrave, Brita Gardom McLaughin, and Jodi Stokes.

💙 WISH Society Board of Trustees: Sue Hargrave (Chair), Greg Colpitts, Jill Notman Colpitts, and Tamalynn Laurie.

10/15/2026

🎃 The WISH Pumpkin Fund & Friendraiser is back! 🎃

We’re delighted that Creekside Market is once again supporting our 5th Annual WISH Pumpkin Fund & Friendraiser! 💙

Come pick up a pumpkin, bring a friend, and help support WISH’s plans for future homes for adults with developmental disabilities at The Traverse in Cheakamus Crossing.

We’re also excited to be creating a community room where residents and other adults with developmental disabilities in the Sea to Sky will be able to access day programs, life-skills learning, and other community-based supports.

🎃 Pumpkins: $10 suggested donation
📅 Saturday & Sunday, October 24–25
⏰ 10 a.m.–2 p.m. each day
📍 Creekside Market

💙 Pick a pumpkin. Support WISH. Help us grow a more inclusive community.

09/28/2026

🎸 SAVE THE DATE! 🎸

Get ready to dance, sing, and have some fun for WISH! 💙

Join us for an unforgettable night featuring the House Arrest band for live music, dancing, drinks, a silent auction, 50/50 draw, and plenty of good times—all in support of WISH.

📅 Saturday, November 28, 2026
📍 Garibaldi Lift Co., Whistler
🎶 Music • Dancing • Drinks • Silent Auction • 50/50 Draw

Gather your friends, save the date, and come celebrate while supporting inclusive housing and community opportunities for adults with developmental disabilities in Whistler and the Sea to Sky.

🎟️ Tickets & details: https://www.zeffy.com/en-CA/ticketing/wish-society-house-party-tickets

09/07/2026

🎉 WE DID IT! 💙

Thanks to the incredible generosity of our community, we not only met but also exceeded our $50,000 matching challenge! This means we raised just over $100,000!

Every donation, every share, every conversation, and every show of support contributed to making this achievement possible.

Together, our community has demonstrated a strong belief in a future where adults with developmental disabilities have access to safe, supportive housing and meaningful opportunities to belong and thrive in the Sea to Sky region.

We are deeply grateful to our generous matching donor and to everyone who helped us reach this remarkable milestone. 💙

Thank you for believing in WISH. We’re just getting started!

08/31/2026

✨ Future Resident Spotlight: Meet Taylor ✨

Taylor is a familiar face in the Whistler community, known for his incredible work ethic, positive attitude, and love of staying active.

He enjoys working and volunteering, often juggling two or three part-time jobs throughout the year. From being an Olympic Plaza Skate Host to working at a local grocery store and the Whistler Golf Range, Taylor loves contributing to his community. Many of his opportunities have come through employers who recognize the value and strengths that people with developmental disabilities bring to the workplace.

When he's not working, you'll likely find Taylor enjoying the outdoors. He loves skiing, mountain biking, hiking, and kayaking, and through Whistler Adaptive Sports, he's discovered a passion for alpine skiing. His dedication earned him a place on Team Canada for the Special Olympics World Winter Games - a remarkable achievement.

Like everyone, Taylor deserves the opportunity to live in a home where he can continue to grow his independence, pursue his passions, and remain connected to the community he loves.

💙 At WISH, we're working toward a future where adults like Taylor have access to safe, supportive housing right here in the Sea-to-Sky corridor.

08/24/2026

Join the WISH Board of Directors

Are you passionate about inclusion, community, and creating meaningful housing opportunities for adults with developmental disabilities?

WISH is looking for dedicated board members and volunteers to help shape a more inclusive future in Whistler and the Sea-to-Sky corridor.

We're seeking individuals who bring lived experience, professional expertise, or a passion for making a difference. Experience in fundraising, finance, law, governance, housing, communications, government relations, business leadership, health care, or disability services is especially valuable, but most importantly, we're looking for people who share our vision.

At WISH, we believe everyone deserves the opportunity to live with dignity, connection, and increasing independence. If you're ready to use your skills, experience, and network to create lasting community impact, we'd love to hear from you.

Interested in learning more? Reach out to Sara at [email protected]

💙 Together, we can build a more inclusive community.

08/19/2026

WISH was thrilled to take part in Slow Food Cycle Sunday and connect with community members who stopped by our tent at Happilife Farm Pemberton BC

It was wonderful to meet so many people, share what WISH is working toward, and have meaningful conversations about inclusion, independence, and building a community where everyone belongs. Many of the people we spoke with had a family member with a developmental disability or knew someone with one. These conversations were a powerful reminder that disability touches every community and that creating a more inclusive Sea to Sky benefits all of us.

Thank you to everyone who stopped by to say hello, ask questions, share their experiences, or learn more about WISH. 💙

And a big thank you to HappiLife Farm and the Slow Food Cycle Sunday organizers for creating such a welcoming community event!