Our Vision:

"To be the prominent social service resource in Whistler by responding to the changing needs of a diverse Whistler community."

ABOUT US*

Whistler Community Services Society (WCSS) is a registered, non-profit society formed in 1989. The Society operates with an Executive Director, Administrator and an Executive Assistant, with a number of Program Coordinators, some on staff, some contract, a Board of Directors, and volunteers.

OUR MISSION: to support social sustainability in Whistler by providing programs and services that improve the ability of Whistler residents to meet their needs and enhance their lives.

WCSS has traditionally been recognized for its 'care' programs. Since the formation of the Society, its mandate has been re-worked to focus on Social Sustainability and helping people help themselves. For more information click here. WCSS and the Re-Use-It Centre are an equal opportunity employer.

To access a WCSS program you must become a member. Program coordinators will have application forms and membership cards available for you.  Members can access any of the WCSS programs, recieve our e-mail newsletter The Umbrella 8 times a year, and can vote at our AGM.  As well, members recieve 10% off of merchandise at the Re-Use-It Centre.

WCSS guarantees to protect your privacy. See our policy here.

                        SEE OUR 2010 ANNUAL REPORT HERE

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

 

                    The Re-Use-It Centre turned 10 years old in 2009!!!

"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

 STAFF:    

Executive Director Greg McDonnell, Torch Bearer!
604.932.1407 greg@mywcss.org

   

 Greg has been working with WCSS since 1999 when hestarted the Youth Outreach Program.  After much growth in the agency and playing a part in several roles at WCSS in the area of Community Development and Outreach Services, Greg became the Executive Director in January 2008.

His favourite thing about working at WCSS is the people, "without our amazing and dedicated staff, our agency would not be able to maintain its mission.  These staff members enable WCSS to provide a significant social sustainability footprint in our community."

In his spare time, Greg is an avid skier and mountain biker who recently discovered triathlon and in 2005 completed Ironman Canada.

 

Administrator Lorna Van Straaten
604.932.0113 lorna@mywcss.org

Lorna has been with WCSS since 2005. She comes with a strong business background and is also a local business owner.  Her focus is Administration, HR, marketing and sales and brings and entraprenurial spirit to this social services agency.

In her spare time she loves to hang out with her husband and daughter on the back dock, go hiking with the 3 dogs, spending time with friends, or traveling.  She also volunteers for Big Sisters and when she has time WAG, and raises money for leukemia and lymphoma research.

       

 Program Manager Kari Mancer
604.932.0113 Kari@mywcss.org

    

Dirty              Clean

Kari started with WCSS in 2004 as the one day a week bookkeeper.  After learning what a great organization WCSS was, she has taken on more roles and is now also a Program Manager in charge of Community Kitchens, the Food Bank, Community Greenhouses, Elizabeth Manso Visiting Volunteers, Christmas Hamper program among others.  She is now developing the new Food Buying Club.

Kari graduated from the University of Manitoba with a degree in Agribusiness and Agricultural economics.  She has a real interest in local food culture and the potential WCSS has in becoming a larger part of this culture.

In summer she enjoys mountain biking, swimming and annual visits to her family cottage at West Hawk, Lake Manitoba.  In the winter its skiing, ski touring and hockey that fills her time.

 

 

Community Kitchens Contract Coordinator
Karen Kay 604.932.0113 www.kayteringwhistler.com

Karen Kay is the Contract Coordinator for Community Kitchens.  She has been living in Whistler since 1982 and has worked in many international restaurants and catered numerous events.  Karen and her husband Dave, believe in using fresh unprocessed food, and use fresh locally grown products and quality ingredients.  All their food is made from scratch.  In Whistler summer, they grow fresh organic herbs, edible flowers and vegetables for their business.

Karen has been teaching the WCSS Community Kitchens classes in her own proffessional kitchen since 2008.

 

      

Food Bank Coordinator Sara Jennings
604-935-7717 foodbank@mywcss.org 

Sara grew up in Whistler and couldn't wait to leave once she graduated. After traveling various parts of the world and becoming a certified Early Childhood Educator, Sara re-discovered the beauty of her home town.

Sara worked for the Whistler Chldren's Centre for several years until it bacame too difficult to do all her volunteer work on the side and still be a dedicated teacher.

Needing something more flexible and still aligned with her passion to do meaningful work, Sara joined the WCSS team as Food Bank Coordinator in April 2009.

Sara spends a good portion of her time dedicated to helping the environment and working on human rights issues.  Locally she volunteers for AWARE and Whstler Watch, and globally for Otesha (a youth based environmental group) and the Puppetistas (a puppet/theatre activist troupe).  When not trying to save the world, she can be found practicing fun circus skills like poi and unicycle, or doing long-distance biking trips.  Sara also enjoys hiking, beach volleyball, reading and anything outdoors.

 

Parent-Infant Coordinator
Libby McKeever 604-932-5564 

Long-time Whistler resident Libby McKeever continues to be popular with the young readers of Whistler, and runs the Library based Infant-Tot Drop In for WCSS.  Contact the Whistler Library for further information.

   click here for information

Re-Use-It Centre Manager Natalie Kandyba
604.932.1121 reuseit@mywcss.org

      Natalie grew up in Ukraine and trained professionally as both a gymnast and ballet dancer.  After an injury in 1982, she pursued and obtained two university degrees; one in teaching Ukrainian/Russian Languages and World Literature and the other in Psychology.

Natalie moved to Canada from Ukraine in 2002 and right to Whistler.  She began volunteering for the Re-Use-It Centre with her husband Yuriy and son Dimitriy as soon as they arrived and have been an active and vibrant member of the community since then.

Natalie has recieved 3 'Employee of the Year' Awards in Whistler, the most recent as Manager of the Re-Use-It Centre. If she is lucky enough to find free time she enjoys cross country skiing or going to the gym.  She also likes listening to classical music and reading leterature on Mythology and Renaissance.

 

 

Survival Guide Contract Coordinator Erin Stevens
survivalguide@mywcss.org

      One of our best contract coordinators, Erin is also responsible for the Survival Guide production and Santa's Helpers Christmas Hampers.

 

 Youth Outreach Worker Davin Moore
604.938.3902  Davin@mywcss.org

      Davin left Toronto with his brother on a mild Ontario January evening in their '87 Bonneville armed only with snowboards boutnd for Whistler.  Little did he know he would find himself still here years later.  Like many Whistlerites, Davin soon wanted to be more involved in the community and become less dependant on the tourist buck.

Davin cateered a good portion of his post secondary education to understanding at-risk youth and creating programs to facilitate prevention of youth crime.  He spent his summers in Northern Ontario as a youth challnge guide for the Temagami Wilderness Centre.  As a youth challenge guide, he worked one on one with at-risk youth on 35 day canoe trips in remote areas of Ontario.  the goal of the program was to use adventure based therapy along with the environment and isolation to improve the youth's self-esteem.

When he is not working as a Youth Outreach Worker for WCSS or Mentoring Coordinator for Big Brothers and Big Sisters, he can be found biking, fishing and camping in the summer and in the winter he is rippin resort on big pow days or searching for fresh on his splitty or sled.

  Youth Outreach Worker Tara Souch
604.902.0670 tara@mywcss.org

 

  

Tara has worked for Whistler Community Services Society since May 2009.  Tara was first introduced to WCSS throught the partnership of programs that WCSS and HOUSE delivered during her time working as the House Addvisor Supervisor at Whistler Blackcomb.  She was very excited to have the opportunity to take on the Outreach position that became available with Claire Mozes maternity leave, and to become a staff member of such a contributing, grass-roots orginization.

When Tara is not working for WCSS you can find her on her bike, hiking, camping, climbing the bluffs, snowbarding/skiing and running trails.  You are also likely to find Tara studying at the library and cafes around the village this year as she endeavors to complete her Masters of Counsellling at City University beginning this fall.  This also means you will find her working casually as a waitress by night to help pay a hefty tuition fee!

Board of Directors: For Complete contact list to print click [here]

 
Chair: Hailey Guille Perfect Fit Strategies 
hailey_guille@yahoo.ca 604-935-2001/604-935-0003

 

 

 

Like most of Whistler’s residents, I moved here for a winter season and have found myself at home after two years.  I started working with Whistler Blackcomb’s Ski School Sales team. Following the end of my first season, I was hired by the Whistler Chamber of Commerce to supervise the Whistler Visitor Information Centre. 

 My passion for becoming more involved with the community led me to WCSS’s AGM in July.  I was invited to attend the meeting by a current director, and when the board was dissolved that evening, I knew I wanted to be part of the organization’s ongoing success. Being a new member of the Board has allowed me to have a fresh perspective on the Society, and I feel that I am contributing to its move ahead into the bright future.

Vice-Chair : Anne Townley Clinical Services Coordinator
Whistler Health Care Centre 604-932-3403/ 604-938-4039

 

        

          Wet                           Dry

Anne has been a member of the Whistler community since 1982. She is an emergency nurse by profession and is currently the Clinical Services Coordinator at the Whistler Health Care Centre. Anne has 2 daughters that were raised in/by the Whistler community who are now enjoying university. Over the years Anne has been involved in many volunteer activities. She was on the library board for 15 years and board chair for 12 years during the planning and building years of the beautiful new library. Anne has served on the parent advisory council, citizen of the year committee and social sustainability speaker series committee. She is currently a member of the Friends of the Library and committee member for the Whistler Health Care Foundation’s Indulge Gala fundraiser. Anne is a firm believer in giving back to the community and says that some of her most rewarding times have been while volunteering.

 

 

Treasurer Susan Kreiger/CGA
susan@kriegerandco.com 604-905-2794/ 604-935-9020

      I have been the treasurer of WCSS for 4 years.  Originally from Hamilton, I moved to Vancouver 17 years ago.  Skiing was the draw, so when the chance came to move closer to the mountains, I grabbed it.  Whistler has been home for 10 years now and hopefully will be forever!  I worked in sales for many years but when I came to Whistler I knew it was time for a career change.  I went back to school and after 6 years of working and studying, I finally received my CGA designation.  Now,I have my own business.

  Director Karen Bauckham Recruiting Manager Whistler Blackcomb
604-938-7306/604-894-6993 kbauckham@intrawest.com

 She's Shy...

After 9 years in the Hospitality/Hotel Industry and a certificate in HR Management, I moved up to Whistler to fulfill a lifelong dream. Born and raised on the North Shore, Whistler became a weekend getaway for me and it had always been a dream to make the move full time. In Aug. 1998, I was hired as the Recruiting Manager for Whistler/Blackcomb and life has never been better. In 2000, I joined Mountain Health Community Alternatives to become more involved with the community and the services offered. When MHCA merged with WCSS I decided to stay on because of all the wonderful services this society supports. When not working, I enjoy skiing, softball, travelling and the outdoors.

 

Director: Jon Decaigny
Mortgage Specialist, Royal Bank of Canada
jonathan.decaigny@rbc.com 604-935-7910

John Decaigny has been on the WCSS board of directors for several years, with a short break taken for the arrival of his first child.  He  is a mortgage specialist with the Royal Bank of Canada, Whistler branch and brings his financial accumen to the board.

 

Director:Kathleen Van der Ree
Lawyer, Race & Co.
k.vanderree@racewh.com  

Kathleen moved to Whistler in the 2007-8 year, working for Race & Co., and was quickly scouted for the WCSS board. She brings multiple talents to the table along with a genuine desire to get involved in her new community!

 

Director: Cathy Goddard:

Lighthouse Visionary Strategies
lily.goddard@gmail.com
604-905-8660/ 604-932-6632

Cathy Goddard has called Whistler home since 1988.  She started an employment agency in 1995, selling it thirteen years later to focus on a new venture as Principal of Lighthouse Visionary Strategies.  Lighthouse offers training workshops and seminars, as well as meeting design and facilitation.

Cathy is Chair of Women of Whistler (WOW) writes a column for the Whistler Question newspaper, facilitates orientations for the 2010 Olympics and teaches business education to Whistler's young people through Junior Achievement of BC.  She joined the Board of WCSS in 2008 to support this vital local resource.

For a look a how WCSS fits in the RMOW Sustainability plan, see: 2020 Report

Whistler Council Representative: Grant Lamont
glamont@whistler.ca 604-935-8229

 

Grant Lamont was born in Monthreal but convinced his parents to move to North Vancouver at the age of two.  since arriving, it has been an incredible ride.  Grand skied Whistler for the first time in Grade 4 and has been drawn back for over 1500 ski days since.  Grant is married to Caroline, who served three years on council previously, and has two children, Hahon and Caleigh, and an active and affectionate black lab, Otter. 

Grant has worked tirelessly to promote and creat one of the finest mountain bike communities on the planet with many other incredible members of WORCA and is bringing his grassroots sensibilities to the table.