The District of Squamish and local non-profits and business owners are seeking stories of the experience of the pandemic in Squamish.
The Your Stories, Our Community project invites Squamish residents to share stories and experiences that will lead to actions to support residents.
Residents can submit their experiences anonymously at www.yourstorysquamish.ca.
“All types of experiences are welcome – whether good, bad, happy, sad, uplifting or stressful. The key is that they must be about specific things that residents have experienced,” district said.
The second phase will involve convening small groups of people either virtually or safely face-to-face.
This might be a group of neighbours, youth, teachers and youth organizations, seniors and the organizations that support them, small business owners to look at the stories and create a plan of action.
All stories will be anonymous, but the goal will be to identify common elements to determine where and how extra supports is needed, district said.
“The intent is for the outcomes of this program to create a positive avenue for discussion, help locals feel listened to, supported and connected to others,” district said.
Another aim is to create community data that all agencies can use to chart a path forward.
Some of the people involved in this project are:
Jaye Russell , Executive Director of Sea to Sky Community Services; Maureen Mackell, Executive Director of Squamish Helping Hands; Ashley Oakes, Executive Director of Howe Sound Women’s Centre; Deanna Lewis, Squamish Nation Councillor; Mayor Karen Elliott of the District of Squamish; Kristin Trotter Counselling & Consulting, Mike Coyne of LandSea Camps and President of the Squamish Chamber of Commerce; Kirby Brown of Sea to Sky Gondola and President of Tourism Squamish; Hasrat Grewal Gill, Settlement & Outreach Worker of Squamish Welcome Centre; and Laura Modray, Executive Director of Squamish Senior Citizens Home Society.
