Our event page provides opportunities for families to connect and experience new activities in a stress-free, accepting space. Check out our special events below for more information and dates. This calendar is updated regularly, so please check back often. Please get in touch if you have an event to share with us.
FSI Learning Explorations ~ Leaving High School: What’s Next?
May 10 2023 @ 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm PDT
Join Karen Speijer and Bonnie Fallowfield on May 10, 2023 for Leaving High School: Whats Next?
SESSION INFO: How do you prepare for this big change in your son’s or daughter’s life? This workshop is designed to help families understand how to prepare for their son’s or daughter’s transition from high school into a full life in the community. Drawing on the experiences of many parents and professionals, we will discuss roles and responsibilities, the planning process, planning tools and available resources and services.
Learning Objectives:
• Learn FSI transition tools/resources – FindSupport BC, Transitions Timeline & much much more!
• Understand the current transition process and practices of youth and young adults ages 13 through 21
• Utilize various resources and information to plan and address the vast areas of transition planning
• Gain skills in easy-to-use list, steps & guidelines to support a smooth & successful transition from high school to adult life
Karen Speijer is Family Support Institute of BC’s (FSIBC) Regional Network Coordinator for the Fraser South Region. She has been a Resource Parent with the FSIBC for over 23 years and has sat on the FSIBC Board of Directors for 4 years. She is a wife of 39 years and mom and Nana of 4. It was her youngest son Kevin who lives with Down Syndrome that brought her to FSIBC many years ago. Karen’s journey with her son has brought many opportunities and challenges especially during his teen years, yet their lives were enhanced by being connected with FSI and participating in many support groups and connecting with community partners in her local city. It is Karen’s hope that by sharing her lived experience with Kevin that she will be able to bring some sense of joy and success to those families who are just beginning their Transition Journey.
Bonnie Fallowfield has been a Volunteer Resource Parent for the Family Support Institute of BC for 32 years supporting other families in her home town, Quesnel. Bonnie’s son Nolan brought her to FSI in 1991, and she is forever grateful to her son for the many friends, support and knowledge she has been so fortunate to receive. Nolan strives to live a happy life, be as independent as possible, while living with Autism, Bi-polar and is blind. Bonnie has sat on many provincial and local boards and committees over the years, and continues to look for opportunities to improve supports and services for with families throughout BC.
Now retired, Bonnie worked as an Education Assistant in the School District for 26 yrs. where she gained much experience and knowledge in assisting individuals with diversabilities. She also worked as the Regional Network Coordinator for FSI covering the North East from 100 Mile House to Fort St. John for 3 yrs. And was Chair of the FSI Board for 6 yrs. Bonnie is currently on the National Consortium for AFCCA – Aggression toward Family/Caregiver in Childhood & Adolescence, giving input from her lived experience as the Voice of Families.
