• Municipal Alcohol Policy (MAP) Survey
• Current Volunteer Opportunities

ABOUT US 

See our 2011 Annual Report HERE

WCSS History

Whistler Community Services Society (WCSS) has a strong history of quickly responding to the needs of the community using an effective, collaborative and unique approach. WCSS works with community partners, members and funders and other non-profits to “Provide programs and services that support social sustainability in Whistler”.

Whistler Community Services Society first incorporated in 1989 under ‘Whistler Pemberton Community Services’ with a mandate to provide social services to the two communities. The first two programs established were the Food Bank and the Christmas Hamper Program. During this time WCSS relied mostly on government grants. In 1995 Whistler Pemberton Community Services changed its name and mandate, focusing on services in Whistler.

In the late nineties Executive Director Janet McDonald was approached by the RMOW to develop a thrift store. The concept was that in exchange for running the business and keeping goods from the landfill, WCSS would use profits to fund more social service programming. In 2000 WCSS opened the Re-Use-It Centre thrift store. This store now funds approximately 75% of programming.

This new steady and reliable stream of income allowed for a great expansion of programs and services. In the year 2000, WCSS hired its first Outreach worker, started the Counseling Assistance program, Emergency Assistance and Interim Housing. Shortly afterwards Parent Infant Drop In, Whistler Welcome Week, the Survival Guide and Community Greenhouses were established. Whistler has grown with and alongside the Resort Municipality, collaborating and filling in gaps in social service programs outside of regular government operations. Together WCSS and the RMOW have helped Whistler achieve its some of its outstanding awards such as a Green City award in 2006 and a Livable City award in 2005.

WCSS uses an organizational structure referred to as ‘Social Entrepreneurship’; using business to create funding for non-profit programming. In 2008 WCSS’s Executive Director Greg McDonnell travelled to Beijing China to present to a delegation from the Asia Pacific Gateway on how social programming can be funded through enterprising non-profits.

The Re-Use-It Centre benefits daily from huge community support in donations and in 2010 over 49,000 customers purchased goods from the small store. The opening of the Re-Build-It Center in 2010 builds on the agencies success in social entrepreneurship. The store is now poised to expand recycling capabilities. The ‘Encorp Electronics Recycling’ program, Unplugged, (small appliance recycling program) and bottle recycling are all finding a home at the Function Junction thrift store.

WCSS continually evolves and expands in an effort to respond to the ever changing needs of the community. From early days working with ‘Mountain Community Health Alternatives’ to today undertaking actions established by Whistler 2020’s Task Forces, WCSS has been responsive and responsible for most of the social services available in Whistler. It was through WCSS’s involvement with Whistler 2020 that more recent programs were developed such as Seniors Needs Action Planner (SNAP) and the Drug & Alcohol Education Program in 2010 and the Food Buying Club 2011. WCSS has incorporated the core beliefs of Whistler 2020 into the organizations culture. Staff is now directly involved in 5 of the 17 task forces in moving Whistler towards sustainability in the year 2020.

The next move for WCSS is centralization and expansion of programs and services at the new “Whistler Blackcomb Foundation Social Services Centre” located in Spring Creek, sharing space and creating new and vibrant partnerships with other non-profits servicing Whistler.

WCSS has been known for collaborative efforts with other organizations, community groups, businesses, individuals and government at all levels making Whistler a more livable community but could not be where it is today without the continuous support and unwavering devotion from the community of Whistler.

  *WCSS administration is 100% funded by our thrift store, the Re-Use-It Centre.

   "WCSS is one of the community's strongest partners.  They provide a wide array of services to help us achieve a healthy community as part of our journey to sustainability."

                                                  Ken Melamed, Mayor, RMOW