Events

FDNS is a charitable non-profit organization that was established 20 years ago to bring together disability groups in the Fraser Valley to increase employment outcomes and resource sharing for people living with a disability. The society has come from a  grass roots beginning to a provincial and sometimes international expansion throughout it’s history. 

Annette Borrows has been serving on the Focus Disability Network Society board for nearly 20 years. Annette lives in Abbotsford and is an active Rotarian at Langley Central Rotary Club. Annette works as the Provincial Employment Manager for Community Living BC.

Bruce Livingstone is the Economic Development Manager for the City of Abbotsford where his portfolio includes business retention and expansion, business attraction, film and corporate sponsorship.

Bruce is a certified Economic Development professional and holds a BBA with a specialization in entrepreneurship. Prior to working in economic development, Bruce worked in marketing communications for both Kwantlen Polytechnic University and Douglas College. He is a long-time resident of Abbotsford and is excited to be contributing to the growth and development of Abbotsford—the economic and cultural hub of the Fraser Valley.

Kim Laureen is a local filmmaker and one half of Fresh Independence Productions bringing Stories from the Heart. She is writer and director of their award winning documentaries. Believing we each have a gift withinwaiting to shine light on the world, she is led to inspire others to discover their purpose.

Kim is here to share about the newly released documentary ‘Losing Coach Mac’ which celebrates the life and career of educator, coach and mentor Bill MacGregor - whose bucket of time and compassion never emptied for those
around him. He is currently walking his greatest challenge thus far with CTE and Dementia. Our hope is this film will be a solid resource for others navigating a similar diagnosis with their loved one. Together we can make a difference.

losingcoachmac.com

Event Brite Link for Dec 6th Screening Event:
https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/losing-coach-mac-documentarytickets-
1050221509807

Born and raised in Vancouver, Areni has worked throughout the Lower Mainland, the Okanagan, Edmonton, Calgary and St Albert. For over 2 decades, she has been a leader in a range of sectors including lumber and building materials, the environment, agriculture and food security, gender-based violence and mental health. Her current work in philanthropy and sector capacity building at the Abbotsford Community Foundation, encompasses her passion for strengthening the resiliency of her local community and engaging with diverse community members to make that happen.

Alongside many community foundations across Canada, the Abbotsford Community Foundation (ACF) commissions a Vital Signs report every 2 years. Vital Signs is a data driven report that aims to spark conversation about significant economic and social trends to tell the story of how our community is faring in key quality of life areas. For the first time, we’ve also included a spotlight of Food Security. Why? Because Abbotsford is known as the ‘bread basket of BC’. We have some of the most productive agricultural lands in Canada. And yet, we still have people who go hungry.

Tricia Schmuland is the Program Director for the Care For Women Foundation.  Tricia has over 15 years of Marketing experience in the Real Estate industry and turned her passion to supporting her community.   Care For Women started in 2020 and supports mothers in the complex and challenging first weeks of postpartum to bridge the gap of support to at-risk mothers who have no village or support around them.

We plan to host a discussion about vocational service with club members sharing their occupation and why it is important.