History
FSI was created to strengthen families who face the extraordinary circumstances that come from having a family member with a disability.
In 1985, the members of a family support committee of Inclusion BC discussed ways to better support families. Our founding members were facing the challenges of institutions, navigating segregated education systems, and making an inclusive and valued place for them in society. At the time, families were not recognized as vital voices in decision making for their loved ones. They wanted better lives for their children and knew there were hundreds of other families like them across the province who wanted the same. It became clear that there was a need for an organization to bring these families together to provide this family support.
In the fall of 1986, with funds from the St. Christopher’s Foundation, the Family Support Institute of BC (FSI) was established.
The first of its kind in Canada, FSI became a separate non-profit agency. The mandate of the Family Support Institute of BC is to strengthen families who had a son or daughter with any disability. FSI began with 6 volunteer Resource parents and have now grown to over 260.
- 1987: FSI held it's first Training Weekend on Bowen Island.
- 1992: FSI became a Registered Charity.
- 2018: Historian Committee was created in 2018. This committee continues educating our board, members, staff, network and community on the history of the FSI.
- 2024: Indigenous Advisory Circle (IAC) was founded to make recommendations related to training, Indigenizing our organization, and ensuring that our work remains culturally safe, trauma-informed, and accessible to all.
