Planned Lifetime Advocacy Network

09/15/2026

What does 70 years of friendship look like? It looks like stories and teasing, fierce independence, shared memories and voices that still find their way into perfect harmony.

Meg Tay-Reid spent an afternoon with Gayle and her remarkable network of lifelong friends. She came away with this beautiful reflection on the friendships that carry us through our lives.

Read the full story on PLAN’s blog:

It’s been over 70 years since Gayle, Marilyn and Sue met at school. They chat with each other like sisters, joking incessantly, and they sing in perfect harmony. Connected at […]

09/15/2026

Nine years after Phil’s passing, Wendy and a few friends gathered to remember a remarkable life—and the love, laughter and friendships that continue because of him.

Here is a little more about Phil, the life he and Wendy shared, and how his friends are keeping his memory close:

Yesterday, a few friends gathered with Wendy to mark the ninth anniversary of Phil’s passing. Together, they remembered Phil with the beautiful poem *Do Not Stand at My Grave and […]

09/13/2026

A network gathering doesn’t need to be big or complicated. Nora recently invited a few people over, served one of her favourite meals and created a comfortable space for everyone to enjoy being together.

Her gathering reminded us that sometimes a few people are just right.

Read more on the PLAN blog:

Nora recently planned a small gathering with a few people she enjoys spending time with. She invited just enough people for everyone to sit comfortably and be part of the […]

09/05/2026

On September 3, Charlottetown hosted the first of many Connecting for Caring gatherings that will take place across Canada.

It was more than a book launch. Through stories, music and conversation, people came together to experience Courage to Care, make new connections and celebrate the caring that holds our families, communities and country together.

As Liv Mendelsohn reminded us in the beautiful note she sent, none of us is truly independent. Throughout our lives, we all give and receive care.

Thank you to the Canadian Centre for Caregiving Excellence, Cudmore Ross Wealth Management and Co-operators for helping make this gathering—and those still to come—possible.

08/24/2026

We are heartbroken to share that Pat Tesan, a pioneer parent and beloved member of the PLAN family, has passed away.

Pat and her family have been a part of PLAN from its earliest days. She worked with us for many years, led parent support groups and workshops, and walked alongside countless families as they planned for the future. She shared her knowledge generously and always brought warmth, kindness and a deep belief in the gifts and possibilities of every person.

Long before we called it Family Support and Leadership, Pat embodied it. She understood that families carry enormous wisdom and that, when families come together, they can support one another, create change and build better futures for the people they love.

Pat’s influence can still be felt in the way PLAN accompanies families today. We invite you to read this remembrance of a remarkable woman whose contributions will always shape our organization and our community.

Dear PLAN Family, It is with deep sadness that we share that Pat Tesan, a pioneer parent and long time member of the PLAN family, passed away peacefully Friday, August […]

08/20/2026

Katherine came to PLAN because she wanted to feel more connected to her community and use her skills to support others and, in some small way, help make the world a better place.

What Katherine enjoys most about being a Mentor is getting out into the community with people, sharing activities and interests, discovering new things to try and deepening relationships along the way.

Her work at PLAN has broadened her perspective and encouraged her to become more involved in all that her community has to offer. She values the privilege of walking alongside people with disabilities and their families as they build vibrant, connected lives.

Her invitation to anyone thinking about applying for the Mentor position:

“I came to PLAN hoping to become more connected to my community and use what I had to offer to make a difference. That hope has come true in so many ways. This work has been fulfilling beyond measure, and I hope our wonderful team continues to grow so that we can support even more people and families in building meaningful connections and good lives.”

We are looking for a new Mentor to join Katherine and the rest of our team.

Applications close August 28.

Learn more and apply: https://plan.ca/get-involved/current-opportunities/mentor-future-planning-and-network-facilitator/

Please share this opportunity with someone who might feel at home at PLAN.

08/19/2026

Shelley has been connected with PLAN for many years. Before joining our staff team, she served on the Board. That experience brought her even closer to the organization and helped her see how much it matters for families to feel less alone and worry less about the future.

What Shelley enjoys most about her work is the people—her colleagues, the families she meets and the people who take part in the groups and courses she leads.

She also remembers many tender moments when someone on the PLAN team has shown up for a person or family going through a difficult time. For Shelley, those moments say a lot about the care and commitment people bring to this work.

Her invitation to anyone thinking about applying for the Mentor position:

“Come grow with us. Bring your heart to your work—and be celebrated for it. At PLAN, you’ll be part of a team that shows up for people and families, especially in life’s most tender and difficult moments.”

We are looking for a new Mentor to join Shelley and the rest of our team.

Applications close August 28.

Learn more and apply: https://plan.ca/get-involved/current-opportunities/mentor-future-planning-and-network-facilitator/

Please share this opportunity with someone who might feel at home at PLAN.

08/19/2026

Caring relationships have a way of leading people to PLAN.

Alida first heard about PLAN through someone she knew while working as an entrepreneur.

“It came through a relationship, which feels fitting because that’s really what PLAN is all about. We’re all connected through people, relationships and community, whether we realize it or not. PLAN’s approach spoke to me because it starts from that place.”

Today, Alida is one of PLAN’s Mentors. What she values most is the opportunity to walk alongside people and their families—to listen, build trust and help people recognize the strengths, support and relationships already around them.

“Being able to listen and support people as they make decisions that are right for them is incredibly meaningful.”

We are now looking for a new Mentor to join Alida and the rest of our team. Her words to anyone considering applying:

“You don’t need to have all the answers. Some of the most meaningful parts of the role come from listening well, showing up consistently and meeting people where they are. It’s rewarding work—and you’ll learn just as much from the people you meet as they do from you.”

Applications are open until August 28.

Learn more and apply: https://plan.ca/get-involved/current-opportunities/mentor-future-planning-and-network-facilitator/

Please share this opportunity with someone who might feel at home at PLAN.

08/18/2026

Meet Claire Inkster, one of PLAN’s Mentors.

Claire first learned about PLAN while studying at Douglas College. As a family caregiver herself, she felt an immediate connection when Jule Hopkins, PLAN’s Family Advocate, shared PLAN’s mission, vision and values.

In Claire’s words:

“Listening to Jule share stories about people with disabilities living fulfilling lives as active and valued members of their communities—and families experiencing peace of mind knowing their loved ones will be safe, secure and supported throughout their lives—I remember thinking, ‘My family and I are not alone.’

“That realization changed everything. I knew I wanted to be part of PLAN—and, ultimately, I wanted to work here. Seven years later, I continue to feel the same.”

We are looking for a new Mentor to join Claire and the rest of our team.

When asked what she would say to someone considering the position, Claire shared:

“Being a Mentor at PLAN is the opportunity of a lifetime. You’ll build deep relationships, grow in ways you may not have imagined, and both give and receive an abundance of gifts—all while helping to create communities where everyone belongs. I can’t wait to meet you!”

Learn more and apply: https://plan.ca/get-involved/current-opportunities/mentor-future-planning-and-network-facilitator/

Please share this opportunity with someone who might feel at home at PLAN.

05/14/2026

Families and people with intellectual disabilities often discover that when a young person turns 18 or 19, nothing about the person’s actual support needs changes overnight — but suddenly the systems around them do.

In this important Globe and Mail article, Vancouver lawyer and disability advocate Max Shilleto explores the growing need for more relational and nuanced approaches to supported decision-making, autonomy, and adulthood.

Too often, people are forced into “all or nothing” systems that fail to recognize the reality that many adults may make some decisions independently, some collaboratively, and some with support.

At PLAN, we continue to see how caring relationships, thoughtful planning, and supported decision-making approaches can help create more respectful and sustainable pathways forward.

We are grateful to Max for helping bring this important conversation into the public sphere with such clarity and care.

Parents can find themselves shut out even though a young adult may still need support