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

Staff 

  Executive Director, Lorna Van Straaten

604-932-0113 lorna@mywcss.org

604-902-1331 Cell

Lorna has been with WCSS since 2005, and started as the Re-Use-It Centre Manager.  She comes with a strong business background and is also a local business owner.    Experience in administration, HR, marketing and sales bring and entrepreneurial spirit to this social services agency.

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

Program Manager Foods/Environmental: Kari Mancer 604-932-0113 Kari@mywcss.org

Kari arrived in Whistler on the first stop of a much anticipated snowboard cross tour in 2004.  Most of the races were cancelled due to lack of snow and a major injury was suffered while trying skiing for the first time in 11 years but both setbacks kept her in town long enough for summer to roll around and for her to buy a mountain bike. Whistler has been home ever since. 

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 and Community Greenhouses.  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 a healthy obsession with mountain biking as well as 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.

Program Manager, Outreach Services: Claire Mozes 604-902-0670, claire@mywcss.org

In the winter of 1998, Claire moved from southwestern Ontario to Whistler and  fell in love with the amazing mountain community.  She went back to school through distance education and graduated from the University of Victoria with an Honours BA in Human and Social Development with a specialization in Child and Youth Care.  In 2004, Claire joined the outreach team as a part time youth worker. The agency expanded as program needs increased and Claire became the Program Manager for Outreach in 2009.

When Claire is not at work you'll find her enjoying the mountains, trails and lakes around Whistler as well as spending time with family and friends. Her passions include travelling and cooking.

Outreach Worker 1: Davin Moore 604-938-3902  Davin@mywcss.org

Toronto born and raised, Davin moved to Montreal for school where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree from Concordia University in 2004. A few short months later, Davin found himself in Whistler and has been here since. His career in Outreach began in Northern Ontario working with at-risk youth. Using Adventure Based Therapy, Davin lead canoe trips for 5 weeks at a time, working one-on-one with troubled teens to help them make positive changes in their lives. After arriving in Whistler, Davin worked for Ziptrek Ecotours and Canadian Snowmobile as a guide and lead hand. Knowing that helping people and working in the community was Davin's true calling, he joined Whistler Community Services Society in January 2008 as an Outreach Worker. Davin tries to
make the most of what Whistler has to offer and when he's not out in the community he can be found skiing, snowboarding, biking and playing hockey.

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 Children's Centre for several years until it became 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 Whistler 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.

Drug & Alcohol Education Coordinator 604-902-5089 Jackie@mywcss.org

Jackie grew up in Toronto, Ontario. She enjoyed big city living and the dramatic arts and dance from  a young age. Her passion for arts and culture led her to earning a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Drama and History at McMaster University. During her time at McMaster she also met her future husband and she became influenced by his love for the outdoors. Jackie always had a passion to work with people and completed a Bachelor of Education at Brock University. Upon completion of her degree she taught for four years at Regional Arts School in Toronto. However, a passion for culture, history and travel encouraged her to leave teaching and set out on a backpacking trip around the world and marrying her husband in Greece.
Their travels took them to NZ, Australia, South East Asia, Europe, Africa and South America. This time away from Canada gave them an opportunity to think about where they would live upon returning to Canada. A brief trip and stay Whistler seemed to have a profound influence on them and they moved to Whistler in January of 2008. Jackie had little desire to return to teaching full time and an opportunity to work with youth in the schools as a drug educator and part time as an Outreach Worker has been the perfect fit for and her time in Whistler. She loves running, biking and yoga.

Senior's Needs Action Planner and Helping Hand Coordinator Melissa Deller 604-902-0865, snap@mywcss.org, helpinghand@mywcss.org

Melissa Deller started working for WCSS 2009 coordinating the Elizabeth Manso Visiting Volunteer Program (currently Helping Hand). A new position came variable as the Senior’s Needs Action Planner June 2010. Melissa has a Diploma from George Brown College in Activation Gerontology & a Bachelor of Arts honors degree in Gerontology /Theatre & Film from McMaster University Hamilton Ontario. She grew up in the hamlet of Anten Mills outside of Barrie Ontario, where she enjoyed hot muggy summers and bitter cold winters.  Melissa taught skiing throughout high school, college & university. Upon graduating in 2006 she made the drive across Canada for a season in Whistler and after teaching with Whistler Blackcomb Ski School she decided to stay and Whistler has been her home since. Melissa enjoys reading, biking, hiking, camping and swimming in the summer and skiing (both Cross country & Downhill) along with snowshoeing in the winter. Whistler is a great community to live in.

Contract Coordinator: Erin Stephens
survivalguide@mywcss.org, santashelpers@mywcss.org, welcomeweekdinner@mywcss.org

 Contact Erin with Survival Guide, Christmas Hamper and/or Jill Ackhurst Community Welcome Dinner questions!

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.