Whistler Independent Supported Housing - WISH

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Whistler Independent Supported Housing - WISH

Our WISH is to create housing for young adults with developmental disabilities in Whistler. Welcome to Whistler Independent Supported Housing Society!

We are a registered non-profit organization in Whistler, BC, established with the vision to create supported housing for young adults with developmental disabilities. We are dedicated to fostering an inclusive and supportive community. Our mission is to provide secure housing for young adults with developmental disabilities. As parents of adult children with developmental disabilities, our collect

ive vision—or WISH—is to ensure they have a supportive future where they can live healthy, happy, and safe lives in the town they grew up in: Whistler. Our WISH List Includes:
- Centrally located complex in Whistler
- Individual, self-contained one-bedroom units
- Common area with a kitchen and living room
- Laundry facilities
- Close proximity to transit and amenities
- 24/7 live-in support
- One part-time staff member

08/19/2026

WISH was thrilled to take part in Slow Food Cycle Sunday and connect with community members who stopped by our tent at Happilife Farm Pemberton BC

It was wonderful to meet so many people, share what WISH is working toward, and have meaningful conversations about inclusion, independence, and building a community where everyone belongs. Many of the people we spoke with had a family member with a developmental disability or knew someone with one. These conversations were a powerful reminder that disability touches every community and that creating a more inclusive Sea to Sky benefits all of us.

Thank you to everyone who stopped by to say hello, ask questions, share their experiences, or learn more about WISH. 💙

And a big thank you to HappiLife Farm and the Slow Food Cycle Sunday organizers for creating such a welcoming community event!

08/17/2026

☀️ Summer in Whistler is about more than enjoying the outdoors; it's about being part of a community.

Our future residents can often be found hiking local trails, biking the Valley Trail, volunteering, working, participating in community events, or spending time at the lake with family and friends.

They are employees, volunteers, athletes, neighbours, and active members of our community. They contribute their time, talents, and energy to making the Sea-to-Sky a vibrant place to live.

At WISH, we believe everyone deserves the opportunity not only to live in the community they love, but to continue contributing to it. Because an inclusive community is one where everyone has the opportunity to belong, participate, and thrive.

08/10/2026

🏡 Supportive housing creates stronger communities.

When people think about supportive housing, they often think about the individuals who call it home. But the impact reaches far beyond the front door.

Supportive housing benefits:
💙 Families, with peace of mind knowing their loved ones have a safe and supportive place to live.
💙 Employers, by helping people maintain meaningful employment and contribute to the workforce.
💙 Caregivers, who can focus on being family rather than full-time support providers.
💙 Volunteers, who help build connections and create a welcoming community.
💙 Our local economy, by supporting workforce participation and strengthening community resilience.
💙 Our entire community, by creating a more inclusive place where everyone has the opportunity to belong.

At WISH, we're not just building housing; we're building a community where adults with developmental disabilities can live with dignity, independence, and connection.

Because when everyone has the opportunity to thrive, our whole community is stronger.

07/27/2026

Future Resident Feature: Eliza

Eliza has grown up in Whistler, where the mountains, lakes, and rhythm of the community are woven into who she is. From skiing in winter to long summer days by the water, Whistler is more than where she lives; it is home.

Eliza is social, spirited, and determined. She loves music, time with friends, and being part of community events. She thrives when she feels included and valued, and she has a natural ability to bring warmth and honesty into a room. Like many young adults, she is eager for more independence, to make her own choices, develop routines, and build a life that reflects her personality and strengths.

Her hope is simple: to live in her own home in Whistler, close to the people and places she knows and loves, with the right supports in place to help her succeed. Independent, supportive housing is the opportunity Eliza needs to grow confidently into adulthood while remaining connected to her family and community.

For Eliza, living independently in Whistler means dignity, belonging, and a full and meaningful life, right here, where she belongs. Independent, supportive housing would make that possible.

07/20/2026

🚧 Breaking Ground. Building Belonging.

What began as a vision is becoming a reality. Today marks an important milestone for WISH as we celebrate the groundbreaking of The Traverse, a place where adults with developmental disabilities can live independently while remaining connected to the community they call home.

This moment represents years of collaboration, advocacy, and the unwavering belief that everyone deserves a safe, supportive place to belong.

Thank you to our partners, supporters, families, and community for helping make this vision possible.

Together, we're building more than housing; we're building a more inclusive future for Whistler. 💙

07/13/2026

Why WISH Was Created?

The society was established to address a critical and longstanding gap in Whistler’s housing system: the lack of appropriate, long-term housing for adults with developmental disabilities.

The specific drivers for its creation include:

💙 The "Systemic Cliff": After high school, the structured support of aides and counselors disappears, leaving individuals entirely dependent on families

💙 Housing Exclusion: While Whistler provides non-market housing for its workforce, current eligibility policies often exclude adults with developmental disabilities who cannot meet full-time employment requirements

💙 The Affordability Gap: In a town with exceptionally high rental costs, disability income only provides roughly $500 per month for shelter, creating a massive mismatch between need and supply

💙 Risk of Displacement: Without local supportive housing, these valued community members are often forced to move away from their families, friends, and support networks just to find a place to live

💙 Parental Peace of Mind: Many parents continue caregiving well into their older age and worry about who will care for their children once they are gone

07/06/2026

🌈 Disability Pride Month

July is Disability Pride Month, a time to celebrate people with disabilities, their identities, culture, and the many ways they contribute to our communities.

Disability Pride Month helps challenge stereotypes and change the way people think about disability. It recognizes disability as a natural part of human diversity and encourages greater visibility, inclusion, and understanding.

Disability is not only an identity but also a community with a rich and diverse culture worthy of recognition and celebration.

At WISH, we are proud to support a future where adults with developmental disabilities are valued, included, and empowered to participate fully in community life.

This month, we celebrate disability pride and the importance of creating communities where everyone belongs.💙

Disability Flag designed by Ann Magill

06/29/2026

🎉 We've raised $39,775 towards our matching challenge!

Thank you to everyone who has supported WISH so far. Because of your generosity, we're already more than halfway to unlocking a $50,000 matching gift.

Here's how it works:

💙 You donate $50 → WISH receives $100
💙 You donate $250 → WISH receives $500
💙 You donate $1,000 → WISH receives $2,000

A generous donor has committed to matching every dollar donated, up to $50,000. That means every gift made today has double the impact.

We're building inclusive housing and opportunities for adults with developmental disabilities in the Sea to Sky, and every matched donation brings us one step closer.

✨ Help us reach the full match and double your impact.

Donate here: https://www.zeffy.com/en-CA/donation-form/whistler-is-our-home

06/22/2026

💙 Housing is More Than a Place to Live. For adults with developmental disabilities, the right housing can mean:
• greater independence
• stronger community connection
• increased stability
• support with daily living

That’s why WISH is working to create inclusive housing options that meet a range of individual needs while building a sustainable, long-term solution for the Whistler community.

You can read more in our housing needs assessment report here:https://wishsociety.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/WISH7836_HousingReport_HR-digital.pdf

06/15/2026

💙 The momentum is growing.

This weekend, WISH welcomed community members, families, and supporters for Whistler Is Our Home for an evening of connection, conversation, and shared commitment to a more inclusive future.

We're grateful to everyone for helping move this vision forward.

Thanks to an unexpected, generous private donor, all gifts will be matched dollar-for-dollar up to $50,000.

Together, we can create safe, supportive housing and meaningful opportunities for adults with developmental disabilities in the Sea to Sky.

✨ Double your impact. Donate here: https://www.zeffy.com/en-CA/donation-form/whistler-is-our-home

Marielle Thompson

Address

Whistler, BC

Website

http://www.wishsociety.ca/

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