A SPECIAL THANKS FROM SARAH

“Communication leads to community, that is, to understanding, intimacy and mutual valuing.” – Rollo May

It has been my privilege this summer to be a part of the head office administration team for the Mainstream Association.  In reflecting on the work that I have done this summer, it struck me that much of it has had to do with communication.  Whether I was helping Kathy Fournier by writing letters to community businesses we hope will sponsor the October Art Show, or helping to clarify the forms used to give feedback to MAPCL’s valuable casual employees, or answering phones for Simone while she took a much deserved break, I have been helping to make communication possible within and outside of the agency.  The wise words of Rollo May that I quoted above resonate powerfully with what I have been privileged to do at MAPCL this summer, and with the MAPCL statement of purpose: to promote, establish and participate in an inclusive community.

Community is a special gift that too few people in today’s society have the chance to enjoy.  Mainstream’s vision of an inclusive community is something that I have seen in the camaraderie enjoyed at head office, the way that MAPCL’s persons served are welcomed fondly by the staff here, and in the passion that the whole agency has for enriching the lives of all persons, both within the MAPCL community and in the Lower Mainland community at large.  What a blessing it has been to be a part of that!

I would like to thank Dan Volbek, Corinne Stockford, Kathy Fournier, Daniele Hart, Wendy Moore, and all the friendly folks at head office for the opportunity to learn and to serve this summer.  I know that both Liz Baterina and I have been richly blessed to be a part of this team and to find new ways to learn and grow even during the summer when we weren’t taking classes.