Vision Story for WRSFV and International Women’s Day 2026

Jan eases the new, hybrid van full of women and children down the hill. Each of the Women’s Resource Society of the Fraser Valley (WRSFV) sites has one of these vehicles free because of a corporate/non-profit partnership developed in 2010.  Beyond setting the destination, the new, environmentally friendly technology of the “Zipper” requires minimal driving ability.

She is taking the women and children from the community living center in Mission over to their sister site in Abbotsford to enjoy an evening of celebration for International Women’s Day 2026. Wow, did they have a lot to celebrate! The twenty-year vision, set in 2006, had been reached in ways beyond imagination. Jan laughs out loud as she remembers her mom telling her about the Society’s dreams and how they had been fearful about their ability to reach them.

She had been young at the time and never imagined that she would become part of the work ahead. Not many First Nations women were connected to the organization back then. Creating a strong connection with the Sto-lo Nation had been nurtured on the fertile ground of the first community living center in Mission. The Women's Resource Society had thrived on its well-integrated diversity practices, which had shifted the culture of the organization.

Jan was proud to be one of several ceremonial apprentices working and learning under the guidance of the Crone Senate. The Senate had been developed with the mandate to support the organization’s health and wellbeing. Its focus was on establishing benefactors, supporting sustainable fund-raising, and creating strategic partnerships with social enterprises and corporations committed to a triple bottom line (economic, social, and environmental measures).

Jan glances at the computer screen on the dashboard of the “Zipper” and listens as colleagues on other sites provide updates on various aspects of the evening events. She is thankful that the Society had made a commitment to upgrade their technology as a means for advancing their ability to communicate. Because of this commitment, they regularly host live discussions that were a valuable contribution to women’s local and global strategy building. These communication abilities allowed the WRSFV to share their work and become recognized leaders in the area of prevention of violence against women, diversified community developments, community-based safe homes for children and youth, sustainable community gardens, and women-lead social enterprises. In fact, a majority of the WRSFV’s programs were now supported by sources other than government funding.

Jan really appreciates that wages and benefits are now equal to the professional and trade wages of the government and private sector for positions of similar responsibility. This, she feels, is an acknowledgement to the importance of front line workers and the difficult task they do as first responders in crisis situations.  The shift to independent sustainability had particularly helped such programs as the Pregnancy Outreach Program, and new partnership programs supporting early childhood development and Planned Parenthood.

As the “Zipper” glides across the valley floor, Jan notices new signs posted on yet another farmer’s field, which indicate that the farm had committed to partner with the WRSFV as well as with the agricultural community to support the Food for the Community program. This program had always been about far more than physical sustenance. It embodied the holistic mission, the values, and the philosophy of the WRSFV. The partnerships had led to a whole line of food products processed on sites that taught basic jamming, canning, and food preservation as well as important life skills. One of the unforeseen outcomes of this program had been the integration of the WRSFV vision and philosophy into the larger community culture.

Sought after for advice and partnerships, the WRSFV had become a recognized community leader in the areas that supported the wellbeing of women and children. The community living centers were the signature example of this success.

Jan could see the well-lit parking area of the Abbotsford centre filling quickly as people began to gather for the evening event. There were women and children of all ages and from all communities of the Fraser Valley. There were also many men in the crowd who fully supported the values and work done by the WRSFV. Years ago, the WRSFV had found ways to support prevention of violence work by developing revolutionary concepts for teaching young men to be non-violent – for a fee, of course.

Female architects had designed each of the WRSFV community living centres after significant consultation and discussion with women in the community. They were built by women-in-trades with the full support of the city social planning departments in both communities. The centers had won awards and recognition for their success as integrated, diverse communities.

There were storefronts with local produce, products, and services. There was transition housing, both first and second stage, for women and children and women with alcohol and drug-recovery needs, and mental health challenges. There was co-housing, where communal food preparation transformed the evening meal. Jan had been living in co-housing now for three years and she couldn’t say enough about how taking a turn with four other people once a month to prepare the evening meal had enriched her life. There were common areas for gardening, eating, and playing. The community living centers had free child care centres, health care centres, sexual assault response teams with female doctors, nurses, support counselors, and holistic wellness centres. The animal housing project, a social enterprise, provided free space to women coming to the transition houses who needed temporary placement for their pets. Other counseling and outreach programs for women and children were part of each centre. Focus had been placed on specialized services, particularly useful in supporting senior women who have experienced abuse, in order to meet their specific challenges. Partnerships with other community enterprises and organizations were commonplace and encouraged.

Jan had taken advantage of the WRSFV's internal transfer program, which allowed employees to move between various sites and programs. Feeling rejuvenated from utilizing the services at the holistic wellness centre - open to staff as well as residents - she was looking forward to her next move into one of the women’s adventure programs next week. These programs offered women an opportunity to build team skills and heal from past experiences in an active environment. Since she enjoyed physical challenges she was looking forward to the opportunity.

Jan does a little skip as she follows the women and children off the “Zipper”. Yes! She is ready to celebrate International Women’s Day 2026 with all the passion and commitment that had been a shared key ingredient in making the Women’s Resource Society of the Fraser Valley what it is today.