Whistler Community Services Society, in partnership with the Whistler-Blackcomb HOUSE Advisor Program, is introducing a new program called Adopt a Young Adult during Whistler Welcome Week, Nov. 15-20.
"The whole idea of Welcome Week is to develop community connections and connectedness among the seasonal workers and the locals of Whistler," said Community Outreach Youth Worker Greg McDonnell.
"And I think the Adopt a Young Adult Program just takes that to the next level."
McDonnell is recruiting 20 families to join the program. They will each invite one seasonal worker to their homes for a monthly dinner.
Brenda Baker and her family are taking part in the program. Baker has two teenage girls and she said if they ever go travelling in the future, she would like to know that there would be a family who would help them along the way.
"I think it’s a great program," she said. "I think it’s a great way to make the young adults feel welcome here."
Both the families and the young adults participating in the program will be required to do a criminal record check, free of charge, and will be screened before being matched.
There will be an information session for participating families at Myrtle Philip Community School on Wednesday, Nov. 24 at 6 p.m. The meeting will outline the commitments involved in this program.
For more information about the Adopt a Young Adult Program call House Advisor Nicole Bavdisch at 604-905-8522.
In the meantime the Jill Ackhurst Community Welcome Dinner will take place at 5 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 20 at the Telus Conference Centre. There are spots for 500 new seasonal workers. Get the $2 dinner tickets at the employment centre in the Whistler Chamber of Commerce.
