During the COVID-19 health crisis, Sea to Sky Community Services (SSCS) continues to provide essential services necessary for the care, comfort, health and safety of communities in the Sea to Sky Corridor. We are also doing our utmost to minimize person-to-person contact to help slow the spread of the virus, which has meant some changes to how we do things at SSCS..
Our staff are still hard at work on the front lines providing critical social services and programs, like child care for essential service workers; however, our offices and facilities remain closed to the public. The majority of our programs are now being delivered by phone, email or through video platforms. You can view a list of services, info on how they are accessed at this time and contact information here.
Community members can also contact us via phone or email for information, to book an appointment or connect with a support worker. For Squamish, call (604) 892-5796 or email at community@sscs.ca, and for Pemberton/Whistler call (604) 894 6101 or email pemberton@sscs.ca.
COVID-19 Relief Fund and LIVE Fundraising Concert May 15
SSCS is proud to provide critical essential services to the Corridor during this health crisis. However, service reductions have also meant a loss of revenue and a major funding shortfall for our agency. The Whistler Blackcomb Foundation has generously committed $27,000 to SSCS to help cover this shortfall, and is holding a live-streaming fundraiser at the Sea to Sky Gondola featuring The Hairfarmers on May 15 to raise even more. We couldn’t be more grateful to them for their generous support.
In addition to the streamed concert, Sea to Sky Gondola is contributing lift tickets, dinner, and drinks for four couples to enjoy the show live and in-person on Friday night on the summit (with all physical distancing measures in place). These special seats will be auctioned before the event – be sure to make a bit to take advantage of this special experience! To bid, email info@whistlerblackcombfoundation.com.
To watch the live event from home, please visit:
FB event: https://www.facebook.com/events/833439323813280/
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/WhistlerLiveStream
YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/whistlerlive/live
Community Initiatives
As the largest social service agency in the Corridor, SSCS is also leading a number of strategic community initiatives to provide enhanced supports and services to those most vulnerable or in need during the pandemic. These initiatives include:
Providing Childcare for Essential Service Workers
SSCS is working with community partners to provide childcare to essential service workers in the Corridor. Those parents with preschool-aged kids can connect directly with Child Care Resource & Referral (lisa.mcintosh@sscs.ca) to access available childcare spaces, and parents with school-aged children can contact School District #48 (lenglish@sd48.bc.ca) to find out more about the District’s child care options. .
Delivering Expanded Services for Seniors
With people self-isolating due to COVID-19, seniors who normally live independently with the help of family and friends are losing some of those essential supports. Seniors services in BC and at SSCS have been expanded to help seniors get the support they need. Seniors who would like help with getting groceries, picking up medication, or just having someone to talk to can be matched with a volunteer through the Better at Home program by calling 2-1-1. Anyone wishing to volunteer to support a local senior can also call 2-1-1., or email SSCS at betterathome@sscs.ca.
Hosting the SLRD Feed the Need Campaign
Food banks throughout the region are experiencing a never-before seen surge in visits. SSCS has partnered with the Squamish Lillooet Regional District (SLRD) and municipalities and food banks throughout the Corridor for a new fundraising campaign to help alleviate the pressure. The Feed the Need campaign allows people to donate to the local food bank of their choice, or to a general fund where donations will be directed to where they are most needed.
The SSCS Child Development team is also providing valuable resources for parents self-isolating or working from home with their children. These resources include links to online events and activities to help keep kids busy, resources for dealing with anxiety during the health crisis, as well as useful government and non-government information.
If you are able to make a donation – no matter how small – to support our vital services at this time, please visit our donation page to learn more.
If you have any questions about the programs and services we’re offering – and to find updates on what’s happening – please visit our website often at https://sscs.peacockdigitalmedia.com.
SSCS remains committed to providing care, comfort and connection to individuals and families in the Sea to Sky Corridor and are proud of our communities for the sacrifices everyone is making to flatten the curve of COVID-19 in BC. We will all make it through this together and get back to truly enjoying this beautiful place we all call home.
Together, we’re building community.