Planning and Facilitation Collaborative

Happy Holidays from the PFC Team! Thank you for sharing your time and insights with us this year. We wish you a wonderful holiday season, and look forward to more opportunities to collaborate, connect, and share, in the New Year. 🎄✨

Reminder: Our next Learning Community Event kicks off today, December 10 at 4pm/EST! Join Sophie Yendole, Director of Story Curation at PLAN, as she leads a discussion on how thoughtful questions can spark meaningful stories and facilitate big-picture conversations. Every story you tell, whether in conversation or through other creative formats, not only takes courage but also builds stronger connections and fosters belonging and inclusion. Listening to each story, we can support, grow and innovate together. Your story is a vital thread in the PFC - come join us, share yours and explore the profound impact of storytelling! https://lnkd.in/gNpkS52D Image Description: Two hands coming together, holding above them a graphic of puzzle pieces, symbolizing community building, connection, and collaboration. The text reads, "Learning Community Event Reminder."

This month's Learning Community Event explores the power of stories! Why stories? Stories spark the creation of a community bound by shared experiences and wisdom. Stories are not just tales - they're the foundations of growth, connection, and understanding. In our community, stories help us learn, encourage, support, and inspire one another. By sharing experiences, we ensure no one walks their journey alone. Join us on December 10th at 4pm, as Sophie Yendole, Director of Story Curation at PLAN, leads a discussion on how thoughtful questions can spark meaningful stories and facilitate big-picture conversations. Your story is a vital thread in the PFC - come share yours and explore the profound impact of storytelling! Visit the PFC to learn more about how to join: https://lnkd.in/gNpkS52D Image Description: Two hands coming together, holding above them a graphic of puzzle pieces, symbolizing community building, connection, and collaboration. The text reads, "Join us for an inspiring learning community session with Sophie Yendole. December 10 at 4:00pm EST."

Reminder: Our PFC Book Club meets TOMORROW at 2:00 pm/EST! Join us as we dive into the book, "brother do you love me" by brothers Mannie and Reuben Coe. This powerful memoir is an emotional journey that offers plenty to reflect on and discuss. So bring your thoughts, favourite passages, and any questions you’d like to dive into together. We can’t wait to hear everyone’s perspectives. RSVP at the events tab in the PFC! https://lnkd.in/gNpkS52D Image description: Book cover of "brother do you love me" by Mannie and Reuben Coe next to a grey background with outlined speech bubbles representing discussion and shared ideas. The text reads "PFC Book Club 2024. brother do you love me by Mannie and Reuben Coe."

From meaningful connections to valuable learning opportunities, there are lots of exciting things happening in the PFC, including standout courses like the Facilitating Microboards Course. This course is open to everyone in the PFC who wants to learn more about Microboards, including its history, values, and the role of a facilitator in helping people and families create and sustain one. Don't miss this and other incredible opportunities available to planners and facilitators at the Planning and Facilitation Collaborative. Learn more about how to join at https://lnkd.in/gNpkS52D Image Description: Graphic with text that reads, "Facilitating Microboards. Online Course. Presented by P4P in partnership with Microboards Ontario and Vela Canada", and logos of P4P, Microboards Ontario and Vela Canada, along the bottom. #PlanningAndFacilitationCollaborative #IndependentPlanning #IndependentFacilitation #PersonCentredPlanning #PFC #Microboards #DisabilityAwareness

There are so many wonderful things happening in the PFC community, with plenty of events and learning opportunities to dive into, including the PFC Book Club! Come join us on December 5th at 2pm EST for the second round of our bookclub series as we explore the book, "brother .do .you .love .me" by brothers, Mannie and Reuben Coe. We'll be hosting two sessions where we'll come together to read, discuss, and connect over the book, while building insights and deepening our learning as a community. Join the PFC today and register here: https://lnkd.in/gNpkS52D Image description: Book cover of "brother do you love me" by Mannie and Reuben Coe next to a grey background with outlined speech bubbles representing discussion and shared ideas. The text reads "PFC Book Club 2024. brother do you love me by Mannie and Reuben Coe."

As Black parents to an autistic child, Clovis Grant, ICD.D and his wife Sherron Grant started Sawubona Africentric Circle of Support to connect with other Black families with children with disabilities. Clovis shared his family's caregiving journey and hopes for the future: bit.ly/40ekgDG -------------- Parents Noirs d'un enfant autiste, Clovis et Sherron ont lancé Sawubona Africentric Circle of Support pour rencontrer d'autres familles Noires ayant des enfants avec un handicap. Il aborde le parcours de sa famille et leur espoir pour l'avenir: bit.ly/48f3DtL #CdnCaregiving #VoicesofCareCAN

The PFC has so much going on! If you have not checked the PFC out we encourage you to do so. PLAN" 's Executive Director Rebecca Pauls has just launched a brand new course on Creating Personal Support Networks. These types of courses are excellent tools for those working in the planning and facilitation space. Visit https://lnkd.in/gNpkS52D to learn more and to join the PFC!

This week, as part of the Planning and Facilitation Collaborative, we kicked off a seven-week workshop on Building and Sustaining Personal Support Networks, and the first session set a powerful tone for the journey ahead. We explored how personal connections shape our lives and can be nurtured into lasting support systems, especially for those who may be more vulnerable to isolation, like people with disabilities or those who are aging. 🔗 Sharing Stories of Support We began with participants sharing personal stories about receiving help—from neighbours offering childcare in tough times to a dad coming through during a storm. These moments highlighted how support often comes in small, everyday ways and reminded us that both formal and informal relationships are crucial for sustainable networks. ❤️ Why Personal Support Networks Matter We discussed how personal support networks made up of friends, loved ones (not just professionals), are essential for emotional well-being and resilience. For those facing challenges, meaningful, unpaid relationships help avoid isolation and offer support that goes beyond professional care. 🖼️ Real-Life Networks: More Than Just Smiles We explored real-life examples of support networks that go beyond social gatherings. Behind the photos of celebrations were intentional planning, shared responsibilities, and deep connections that ensure individuals have someone to turn to in times of need—often in critical roles like trusted confidants or supportive decision-makers. 🎯 The Power of Intention A key takeaway? Intentionality. Building a personal support network doesn’t happen by accident—it takes effort. By investing time in our connections, we build a foundation for both emotional and practical support that sustains us in the long term. 🌟 Looking Ahead We’re excited for the weeks to come as we explore trust, inclusivity, and practical exercises like mapping our networks to strengthen relationships. The goal: to help everyone build a sustainable, evolving personal network of support. Final thought: People need people. Think about a time someone supported you—how did it impact your relationship? How can you apply that experience to strengthen your own support network? If strengthening the personal network for yourself or someone you love has been on your mind lately, please connect. We'd love to chat more. #FacingTheFutureTogether

We had the opportunity to host @Barb Swartz-Biscaro from Helen Sanderson Associates at our monthly Learning Community Event. We had such an impactful conversation about living and dying well with Barb. Thank you so much for sharing your wisdom with the group.