Mission Association for Community Living

10/13/2026

A New Chapter Began Close to Home

🕰️ Did You Know?

1984-1988

The mid-1980s marked an important turning point in community living.

As institutions began closing, individuals moved into homes in Mission and became part of neighbourhoods, friendships, and everyday community life.

The opening of 5th Ave. home in 1984, followed by additional staffed homes in the years that followed, represented an important change. People who had once been separated from their communities now had the opportunity to live closer to family, build new relationships, and be active members of the community.

This wasn't just about housing.

It was about being known by your neighbours, making connections, and having a place to truly call home.

Everyone deserves a place to call home.

💚 The Story of MACL is still being written. Thank you to every individual served, family member, volunteer, staff member, board member, donor, and community partner who has helped shape the journey.

Were you part of MACL's journey? We'd love to hear your memories in the comments.

10/12/2026

🍂🧡 Happy Thanksgiving from all of us at MACL! 🧡🍂

Thanksgiving is a time to pause and reflect on the people, relationships, and moments that enrich our lives.

This year, we're especially grateful for the individuals we support, whose unique perspectives, talents, and contributions help make our community stronger. We're thankful for our dedicated staff, who bring compassion, creativity, and commitment to their work each day. We're grateful for the families who trust us, support us, and partner with us along the way. And we're thankful for the many community members, volunteers, donors, and partners who help make inclusion and belonging possible.

At its heart, Thanksgiving is about connection. It's about gathering together, sharing stories, lending support, and appreciating the people around us.

As you celebrate this Thanksgiving weekend, we hope you have the opportunity to spend time with those who matter most, enjoy good food and good company, and reflect on the many things that bring gratitude to your life.

From our MACL family to yours, we wish you a safe, joyful, and happy Thanksgiving. 🧡🍂

🧡

09/30/2026

📚🚌 It's Never Too Late to Celebrate Literacy! 🚌📚

September may have been National Literacy Month, but the joy of reading doesn't end when the calendar turns.

At MACL, our WoW Bus (Words on Wheels) helps bring books directly into the community, making reading accessible, welcoming, and fun for families throughout Mission. Whether we're visiting Family Place, supporting community events, or making regular stops at the Food Bank, our goal is simple: put great books into the hands of readers and help foster a lifelong love of literacy.

Reading opens doors. It sparks imagination, builds confidence, strengthens language skills, and creates opportunities for connection and learning. Sometimes, all it takes is the right book at the right time to inspire a reader.

As we head into October, we're excited to continue bringing the WoW Bus out into the community. Check out our October schedule and stop by to browse our collection, pick up a book, and say hello!

A heartfelt thank you to everyone who supports the WoW Bus through book donations, fundraising efforts, and community partnerships. Together, we're helping keep stories, learning, and literacy rolling throughout Mission. 💙📖

📚🚌💙

09/30/2026

🧡 National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

Today, we pause to honour the children who never returned home, the Survivors of residential schools, their families, and the generations of Indigenous Peoples whose lives and communities have been profoundly impacted by the residential school system.

The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation is a time to remember, to listen, and to reflect on the truths of our shared history. It is also an opportunity to recognize the strength, resilience, cultures, languages, and contributions of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Peoples.

At MACL, we acknowledge that reconciliation is not a single day, but an ongoing commitment to learning, understanding, respect, and meaningful action.

Today, we encourage our community to take time to listen to Indigenous voices, learn about the history and ongoing impacts of residential schools, and consider how each of us can contribute to a future built on respect, relationships, and reconciliation.

We are grateful to live, work, and gather on the traditional and unceded territory of the Stó:lō Peoples.

🧡 Every child mattered. Every child matters.

09/28/2026

Inclusion Starts Early

🕰️ Did You Know? 1981-1984

The early 1980s brought exciting changes for children and families in Mission.

In 1981, Sandcastle Special Needs Preschool opened its doors, creating new opportunities for young children to learn, play, and grow. Just a few years later, Sandcastle became an integrated preschool, reflecting a growing belief that children thrive when they learn alongside one another.

Those early efforts helped shape the inclusive childcare and child development services MACL supports today, and reinforced something we still believe to be true:

Inclusion isn't something we teach later.

It begins in childhood.

Every child deserves a place to learn, play, and belong.

💚 The Story of MACL is still being written. Thank you to every individual served, family member, volunteer, staff member, board member, donor, and community partner who has helped shape the journey.

Were you part of MACL's journey? We'd love to hear your memories in the comments.

09/25/2026

Today, alongside the Mission Regional Chamber of Commerce, we proudly celebrated the Grand Opening and ribbon cutting of Kaleidoscope 2nd Avenue's Extended Day Preschool.

Thank you to everyone who joined us, including representatives from the City of Mission, local dignitaries, municipal and provincial candidates, community partners, families, and friends. Your presence helped make the day truly special.

This building holds many memories for Mission families. For decades, it was home to Sandcastle Preschool, and today it begins a new chapter as Kaleidoscope 2nd Avenue, welcoming a new generation of children through its doors.

Just over a year ago, we celebrated the opening of Kaleidoscope's Tunbridge Avenue location. The incredible support we've received from families has shown us how much our community values high-quality, welcoming early learning opportunities. We're thrilled to continue growing and expanding those opportunities with our new Extended Day Preschool program.

At Kaleidoscope, we believe children learn best through play, exploration, and meaningful relationships. Our extended day model gives children more time to build friendships, follow their curiosity, develop confidence, and prepare for a successful transition to kindergarten.

A special thank you to Ms. Tammy, Ms. Lana, Ms. Emily, and the entire Kaleidoscope team for the care, dedication, and passion they bring to children and families every day. This beautiful space is a reflection of your hard work and commitment.

We're excited to welcome children and families into this new chapter and look forward to seeing this familiar place filled with learning, laughter, friendships, and discovery once again.

💛 Here's to new beginnings at Kaleidoscope 2nd Avenue.

💛🌈📚

09/23/2026

Today we had the absolute pleasure of having Norden the Magician spend some time with our supported individuals — and what a treat it was!

There was magic, plenty of silly antics, incredible humour and some seriously impressive tricks. We’re still scratching our heads trying to figure out how some of them were done! 🪄🎩✨

The smiles, laughter and excitement in the room said it all. 😂

A huge thank you to Norden for sharing your talent, your humour and your magic with us. You were definitely the highlight of our day! ❤️

Until next time… we’ll be watching very closely! 😉

09/22/2026

Please join us to celebrate the grand opening of our NEW Extended day Preschool - Kaleidoscope 2nd Ave!

🗓️ Thursday Sept 24, 2026
🕰️ 2:00PM
📍 33345 2nd Ave, Mission

Ribbon cutting will be at approximately 2:15PM and light refreshments will be served afterwards.

Let’s celebrate expanded childcare and early learning opportunities in Mission!
Community members, families, caregivers, and local partners are warmly invited to the Grand Opening of Kaleidoscope 2nd Ave Extended Day Preschool.

Join us for refreshments and tours on Thursday, September 24 at 2:00 pm. Ribbon cutting will take place at 2:15pm. We look forward to welcoming the community!

09/16/2026

🌻☀️ Sunfest 2026: Sunshine, Sunflowers & Community ☀️🌻

Last week, staff, supported individuals, and family members gathered at beautiful Fraser River Heritage Park for our Sunfest 2026 summer wind-up celebration.

Throughout the summer, participants carefully nurtured and grew sunflowers in anticipation of our much-anticipated Sunflower Growing Contest. The results were incredible, with plenty of impressive blooms and some friendly competition along the way! 🌻🏆

The festivities also included a pie baking contest, a delicious barbecue, great conversations, and the opportunity to connect and celebrate another wonderful summer.

With spectacular weather, stunning surroundings, and even better company, it was the perfect setting to enjoy an afternoon of community, laughter, and connection.

Events like Sunfest remind us that some of life's best moments are the simple ones: sharing a meal, enjoying time with friends and family, celebrating each other's successes, and making memories together.

A heart-felt thank you to everyone who participated, baked, planted, cheered, volunteered, and helped make the day such a success. It wouldn't have happened without all of you! We're already looking forward to next year!💙

Here's to another summer filled with friendship & community!

🌻💙☀️

09/14/2026

The Community Living Movement Was Growing

🕰️ Did You Know?

1977-1982

As services expanded, so did the vision for inclusion.
During the late 1970s and early 1980s, the organization evolved alongside a growing community living movement across British Columbia. New programs were developed, families continued advocating for change, and in 1982 MACL hired its first Executive Director, Bob Enoch.

What began as a volunteer-led effort by local families was becoming a stronger organization capable of supporting more individuals and families throughout Mission.

Through every change, one belief remained constant:
People belong in their communities.

Inclusion grows when communities work together.

💚 The Story of MACL is still being written. Thank you to every individual served, family member, volunteer, staff member, board member, donor, and community partner who has helped shape the journey.

Were you part of MACL's journey? We'd love to hear your memories in the comments.