Planned Lifetime Advocacy Network

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.

08/17/2026

We’re hiring!

PLAN is looking for an experienced facilitator and relationship-builder to join our team as a Mentor (Future Planning and Network Facilitator).

This part-time, hybrid role (16–24 hours per week) is based in Vancouver and focuses on helping Lifetime Members and their families strengthen personal support networks and plan thoughtfully for the future.

If this sounds like you—or brings someone to mind—please take a look and share the posting. Applications close August 28.

About the job Who will be there when we no longer can? This is the question that led families to create PLAN more than 35 years ago. They believed the […]

08/03/2026

One of the things we appreciate most about Courage to Care: Ripples of Love in Action is that it doesn't ask us to become more caring. It helps us recognize that caring is already all around us.

Every day, millions of quiet acts of caring happen between family members, friends, neighbours, coworkers, and even strangers. They rarely make the news, but they are what help our communities hold together.

At Planned Lifetime Advocacy Network, we've seen time and again that these everyday relationships are often the foundation of a good life. When we notice them, nurture them, and support them, everyone benefits.

Thank you to all of the Contributors for continuing to shine a light on what has always mattered.

What are the small acts of caring that have made a difference in your life this week?

"Every day, everywhere, just about every one of us is caring with family members, friends, co-workers, neighbours, and strangers...These millions of small acts of caring are what make our country tick. " - Al Etmanski

What are the small acts of caring that help shape your day?

They might be easy to overlook: a cup of tea made just right, something passed before anyone asks, or a familiar gesture that says, ‘I’m here.’

Courage to Care invites us to notice the many ways caring already appears in our lives—and to consider what becomes possible when that caring is more visible, valued, and supported.

, too. Pre-order your copy at connectingforcaring.ca. 📕

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

05/12/2026

Some stories stay with you long after you read them.

This beautiful reflection by Sophie Yendole explores friendship, grief, belonging, and what happens to a personal support network after the loss of someone deeply loved. Through the story of Eddie, it reminds us that caring relationships ripple outward across lifetimes — shaping not only one person’s life, but the lives of everyone connected around them.

A moving piece about love, community, loss, and the lasting impact of intentional relationships.

Click through for the full story on PLAN's blog:

By Sophie YendoleApril 28, 2026 Eddie loved orange. He loved baseball, quarters, marriage proposals and all sorts of other things. Eddie was surrounded by good friends, curious and loving, a […]

04/29/2026

Important Update: Disability Tax Credit Changes Announced

Today’s federal Spring Economic Update included significant proposed improvements to the Disability Tax Credit (DTC) that could make this important support easier to access for many Canadians.

Highlights include:

Some long-term conditions may no longer require repeated reapplication, including Down syndrome, intellectual disability, Dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, and limb loss.

More professionals may be able to complete applications for certain conditions, including physiotherapists and speech-language pathologists.

For many people with disabilities, families, and caregivers, the DTC process has felt overly complex and repetitive. These changes could reduce barriers and unnecessary stress.
We’ll continue watching for details and timelines to share with our community.

When systems become easier to navigate, families can spend less time proving disability—and more time building a good life.