At the heart of the Whistler Adaptive Sports Program (WAS) is community, but what does that really mean and why is it important?
Moving halfway across the world and leaving the comfort of my own community could have been daunting. Yet coming from Sheffield — the Outdoor City — to Squamish, a town Hardwired for Adventure, felt less like a leap and more like finding a home away from home. Community, however, is more than just a group of people living in the same place or sharing a common interest. At its core, it’s about connection, care, and shared purpose. It’s the feeling of belonging—of knowing you’re not alone, that others have your back, and that you, in turn, have theirs.
My deeper sense of being part of the Squamish community came when I began volunteering with the Whistler Adaptive. The charity offers regular sports and therapeutic recreation programs for individuals of all ages with disabilities and neurodiversity in Squamish, Whistler and Pemberton.
Through WAS, I had the opportunity to connect with the day-to-day experiences of others and take an active role in someone else’s life —even if it was just a couple of hours a week. It reminded me that community isn’t passive, it’s about actively engaging with the lives of those around you, sharing experiences, contributing and being part of something bigger than yourself.
My first volunteer session was at Meadow Park swimming pool in Whistler. The positive energy from the participants and coach was infectious. not just for the joy of the sport, but because we were doing it together. It was a space that honored every individual: who they are, what they bring, and what they do or don’t need. That experience made it clear — community thrives where people are seen, valued, and supported.
In a place as active and outdoor-oriented as the Sea to Sky, it’s heartening to see programs that ensure everyone — regardless of ability — has a chance to participate. Volunteering with Whistler Adaptive reminded me that no matter where you come from, community is something you build — not something you wait to find. It grows through connection, shared effort, and the simple act of showing up for one another. Whether it’s through sport, conversation, or quiet support, we all have the power to make others feel included and seen.
In the end, that’s what makes a place feel like home.
Originally from the UK, Jen Brown lives in Squamish and works as the Communications Lead and an Adaptive Sports Coach for the Whistler Adaptive Sports Program (WAS). She joined the charity in April 2023, bringing over 15 years of experience in UK arts and media, later co-founding a communications and athlete management agency serving top climbers and global outdoor brands. Jen now uses her combined expertise to coach and promote WAS’s year-round programs for people with disabilities and neurodiversity across the Sea to Sky region.
Comments