FAMILIES PROGRAM

On the October 25th weekend, along side of the Athlete Leadership Conference, Special Olympics BC (SOBC) held their first Families Focus Group workshop. Donna Willms (Leadership Council member) and Leslie Thornley (SOBC staff) hosted the workshop to delve into the possibility of creating a Families Program in BC.

Donna has been involved with Special Olympics since 1997. A resident of Kelowna and mother of two Special Olympics athletes, Donna completed a three-year term with Special Olympics International as a Global Family Leader for North America (representing Canada, USA and the Caribbean). Leslie is also a resident of Kelowna and has been a SOBC staff member since 2007. She brings years of experience in public relations, communications and team building.

The intent of the workshop was to bring together a family representative/caregiver from each region to begin the process of how to connect families with the Local as well as from Local to Local within a Region. Seven family representatives were in attendance to help guide where the program might go. Discussion centered around communication and how to reach those that support our athletes on a daily basis. Newsletters, orientation packages, and a fan-out network were all discussed. As well these representatives received information on the direction of SOBC with the new Healthier Athletes program and had seminars on nutrition and fitness measures testing. Brainstorming ensued as to how to reach out to families to embrace this movement. Provincial Games was also on the table for discussion as to how to ensure families received pertinent information so the Games experience is enjoyable for all.

SOBC's hope is to build a families network that involves many families, support workers, caregivers, and agencies that will disseminate timely information, to field questions from families, and to see a representative in each Local that can be the go-to person for families and caregivers in that area.

For more information on the program, please contact SOBC Provincial Office.