CHANGING LIVES
ALONGSIDE COMMUNITY
We are a family focussed and individual-focused, support services in Dawson Creek, Fort St. John, and some services in Chetwynd as well.
We provide support to help people maximize their independence and to help them have a high-quality life. We work with families, we work alongside children, youth, and adults who have intellectual and developmental disabilities and acquired brain injury.
Laurie Wilson, Founder & Director
Who are we?
We’re a team that strives to empower, support, and advocate for a high quality of life and belonging alongside individuals, families, and communities.
We’ve been providing outreach services and programming to Dawson Creek B.C and outlying communities in the Peace Region since 1994. We have a range of services and programming.
Here’s just a few:
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Adults and children who have intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Children who have a diagnosed mental illness/mental health issues
that result in challenging behaviour.
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Individuals who have a dual diagnosis
(mental health issue and intellectual disability).
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Individuals who have an acquired brain injury.
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We’re known in the community for our work in enriching the lives of individuals and their families in a culturally sensitive way, and that all the individuals we serve are supported by individual planning that promotes person-centered thinking.
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We’re structured to empower our staff and the individuals they support. Our programs are administered by teams, and there is a focus on professional competency as well as empathy for each person served. We have strong, tiered staff
development and evaluation programs.
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We’re advocates for the quality of life of the individuals we support. We believe that all individuals have the right to be a contributing member of their community, so we strive to empower individuals to achieve their personal life goals in the areas of daily living, vocational, community access, and social and emotional wellness.
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We willingly share our skills, knowledge, and resources with the individuals we support and their support systems. Our expertise is often called upon to provide in-service training on subjects in the area of developmental disability, mental health disorders in children, and dual diagnosis issues.
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We network with other community organizations so that the basic needs of the individuals are met, and gaps in service can be filled.
We enjoy positive working relationships with all levels of management, social workers, resource workers, and front line staff of other agencies. That means we have a rich set of resources to meet housing and other crises that impact the individuals we support.
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We’re known for the way we support all people, and we recognize each individual as being priceless. There is a foundation of compassion and care that is embraced by each individual in our organization.
Want to learn about our model of care?
Meet Our Team
Laurie
Founder, Advisor
I’ve always had a strong philosophy and belief that everybody, all of us, has equal rights and should have equal opportunities to live and work in the community and be a part of our communities. So when I started INS, I had a vision and foundation for how we were going to roll out our services. My role has evolved, and I now empower our team to experience personal growth in their work and their practice while guiding our agency to “walk the talk” in following our mission, philosophy, vision, and guiding principles. Promoting these values in community is a key personal goal of mine.
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My educational background in Business Management and full life experience has been an asset to managing our INS endeavors.
Holly
Owner, Director
I began my career at INS 20 years ago. I started on the front line and worked my way up to where I am at today in the agency. I hold the same values, philosophies, and guiding principles as our agency. I helped to implement the Circle of Courage, Person Centered, and Trauma Informed models into the practice of the agency. I value our commitment to the individuals we support, the families, and the community to provide supports that promote a high quality of life for everyone.
I am currently in a transition of taking the lead role as Director and owner of INS! I work alongside our management team and advisor to continuously improve our services and achieve our outcomes for sustainable and quality supports in our communities.
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Soham
Program Coordinator
Child & Youth Staffed Supported Living
I started with INS full-time in 2021 as a Behavioral Intervention Worker. My career working in every area of youth care supported my promotion to Program Coordinator in September of 2023. With a background in psychology and science, and hands-on experience in socials services sector within non-profits; I bring empathy, knowledge, and practical guidance to my work at INS!
I lead with compassion, mentor and support our incredible staff team, and advocate for the well-being of every youth in our care. My approach is grounded in trauma-informed, youth-centered practices that prioritize safety, dignity, and healing. I believe that every young person deserves to be seen, valued, and empowered - and I am committed to walking alongside them on their journey.
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Sienna
Program Coordinator Child and Youth Staffed Supported Living
I started with the INS team in 2024 as a Program Coordinator for Child and Youth Supported Living. My background in behavioral intervention supports and working as a social worker provide me with the tools I need to support youth to be the best version of themselves and have a safe place to land when they can’t be. As a staff mentor, I help the staff build skills that will enable them to support these youth.
A key component of my role is to help to ensure the residential programs are running smoothly and safely, and everybody has what they need, youth and staff included.
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I have strong values in supporting youth that align with our INS vision and guiding principles and that's why I enjoy the challenge of working here!
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Amanda
Program Manager Supported Independent Living Services
I work alongside individuals to live and maintain a happy, safe and healthy life. This can mean working alongside individuals with crisis management or supporting medical needs, personal development, and advocacy. I also work alongside staff to help them improve their supports. I hold strong values that align with person-centered thinking and trauma informed practice.
I started out in this field 13 years ago with a home share program. I developed a working relationship with INS staff, and I was eventually hired as a community support worker. I now enjoy my position as a member of our management team. Long story short, I loved it and kept going.
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Christine
Program Manager
Adult Supported Living Services
"My journey in this field began in 2021 as a Support Worker, an experience that opened my eyes to the meaningful and rewarding work of supporting neurodivergent individuals. It has been a privilege to play a part in helping them reach their goals and improve their quality of life. My background in nursing has been a asset to supporting our individuals who live in our staffed homes.
Now, as a Program Manager, I continue to be involved in their journeys while having the privilege of working alongside dedicated support staff. Together, we strive to create a compassionate, collaborative environment where everyone feels valued and supported".
Danelle Kilber
Behavioral Consultant
As a behavioural consultant, I look at behaviour, mental health issues, and significant life challenges from a scientific point of view. I collect data, gather information, and then put all that together to develop proactive strategies that are person-centred, trauma-informed, and inclusive of skill development. The end goal of my work is to facilitate growth within the circle of courage - through self-empowerment, community partnerships, mastery, belonging and generosity.
I became interested in this field in 1990 when our son was diagnosed with autism. I wanted the best possible outcome for our son and I chose to make this my career as I learned from the professionals who were supporting us at the time. I eventually found myself involved in the educational aspects of this field, and I eagerly took that on. Because of the positive impact of good behavioural tools, education, and support on my life, I want to pass on what I’ve learned and help to enrich others as well.
Brian
Behavioral Consultant
Program Manager
Child and Youth Family Services
I work alongside parents and youth to help them discover and implement strategies and skills to address their unique challenges and needs. I would describe myself as an empathic problem solver. Because there’s a lot of guilt and shame around issues that children may be experiencing, I don’t start with where parents and children should be. I like to discover where the parents are, their family’s values; as well as the child’s strengths and views. Then I work together with the family to formulate what a goal will look like at the end of a referral.
I’ve been working at INS for 15 years, but I’ve been working with kids in care for, as I like to call it, about a bazillion years.
Susan
Risk Reduction Coordinator
BEAR Program
As the BEAR Coordinator for low-barrier, complex care, Supported Independent Living and INS Housing, my primary focus is meeting our individuals where they are at. I foster inclusive and trauma-informed environments that empower individuals and promote their well-being.
I am deeply committed to advocating for vulnerable populations and implementing effective risk reduction strategies that prioritize their dignity and safety with a deep commitment to being non-judgmental, non-stigmatizing, and respectful.
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I have spent 15 years working closely with vulnerable and marginalized individuals, advocating for human rights. My career has been devoted to addressing poverty, building strong communities, and empowering individuals to reach their full potential by leading fulfilling lives.
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Chvonne
Risk Reduction Coordinator
Community Outreach
As a Risk Reduction Coordinator for outreach supports for those in independent living and low-barrier services, my core belief is that everyone deserves equal rights and opportunities, regardless of their background, circumstances, lifestyle, or diagnosis.
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I embrace a person-centered, trauma-informed approach to risk reduction, prioritizing the unique needs of each individual. My goal is to empower individuals to make positive changes in their lives, reach their personal goals, and foster positive, supportive relationships that inspire personal growth and acceptance.
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My community outreach experience deeply changed my understanding of the barriers individuals face when attempting to access supports to have their basic needs met, the profound harm caused by stigma, the importance of meeting people where they are at, and the universal longing for human connection.
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With over 14 years of experience in the prenatal and postnatal field, I’ve supported families in the Peace region through times of growth, change, and loss. This work has strengthened my dedication to fostering relationships and providing person-centered care and education to enhance their family’s health and independence. My passion lies in building a supportive, kindhearted community.
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Michelle Wilson
Executive Administrative Assistant
My role at INS is to support staff in all areas of HR! I ensure that staff feel welcomed and support them through the onboarding process from start to finish. Job postings and recruitment is one of my specialties.
My job has really evolved from many years of front-line to helping our office run smoothly and ensuring all our staff needs are met. I enjoy the task of meeting our HR needs and striving for quality support for all of our staff. Furthering my education in this field is in the works! INS has really provided flexibility for myself and my family.
Laurie A
Quality Assurance Support
I love the challenge of taking on anything new and quality assurance is a challenge!
I began my career supporting individuals who have intellectual disabilities at INS and now I'm back to support the teams to meet our goals for providing quality supports.
I bring experience and education as a BSW to the team that enhances my role. I’ve always been passionate about helping those in need from all walks of life and my experience as an Analyst gives me a lens for ensuring quality of life and person-centered supports are happening for everyone in our agency.
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Ranjit
Financial Controller
​I became an accountant because I enjoy the diversity in accounting tasks. It allows me to learn new things and problem solve new challenges. At INS, I know that my work helps everyone do their jobs, and that means a lot to the individuals and families, other team members, and funders.
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I returned to INS as the lead for our finance department. It's great to be working with such dedicated team members to ensure we are efficient and effective in our management of contracts.
Betty
Finance Team
I’ve worked in this field for years and I’ve always enjoyed its challenges. Bringing that experience and knowledge to INS makes me feel that I can help more people.
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Angela
Finance Team
Although I am new to INS, I have worked in the field of finance for several years.
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My lived experience with people who have intellectual disabilities and diverse needs support my role in understanding the needs of the homes and those we support! INS gives me the flexibility I need to look live a work-life balance.