Our History
A society founded by families, for families individuals our community
Inclusion Chilliwack Society (previously known as “Chilliwack Society for Community Living”, or “CSCL”) has been serving the Chilliwack community and the surrounding areas since 1954.
Since its inception, the Society has endeavoured to promote the inclusion of the citizens of Chilliwack who have a developmental disability into the fabric of community life. The Society began because a number of parents had a strong desire to develop resources in the community for their children with special needs. As a result, the Society was formed and registered under the Societies Act of British Columbia in January of 1954, making it one of the first agencies in the province formed for this purpose.
In its formative years, the primary focus was a school for children since the provincial government had no mandate to provide an education for children with special needs. As the first children attending the school became adults, the Society increased its services to include the Occupational Center. In 1962 our Society, in a Federal Pilot Project, opened the Sunshine Drive Hostel. This was the first respite care option to be offered in the province of BC outside of the institutions (Glendale, Woodlands and Tranquille) and was seen as extremely innovative.
Over the years the Society’s programs and services have expanded and now include a wide variety of supports to individuals of all ages who have developmental disabilities.
History Timeline
Explore the milestones that made us who we are:
January 1, 1950- January 2, 1950
- December 3, 1952
- January 3, 1954
- January 3, 1955
- August 1, 1956
- November 3, 1958
- September 3, 1959
- March 3, 1962
- September 3, 1966
- April 3, 1974
- April 3, 1975
- November 3, 1976
- April 17, 1982
- December 11, 1982
- January 3, 1986
- June 12, 1988
- November 3, 1992
- March 3, 1999
- May 23, 2005
- February 1, 2006
- April 6, 2012
- January 1, 2016
- January 12, 2017
- February 15, 2018
- January 25, 2024
- June 11, 2024
Pre-History of ICS
A Difficult Past: The Era of Institutionalization in British Columbia – In the not-so-distant past, children labeled as “handicapped” were routinely institutionalized across British Columbia...Read Full Story
Times Are A-Changin’
January 1950: Education Against the Odds: Parents Lead the Way – In the early years of the community living movement, children with developmental disabilities were..Read Full Story
Our Roots
Our Roots: Building Inclusion from the Start – ICS was created by a group of parents who wanted to provide their children with loving care..Read Full Story
The Society is Founded
January 3, 1954: The Roots of Inclusion: A Legacy of Transformation – In the early days of the community living movement, a group of courageous..Read Full Story
Inclusion BC
Joining Forces: The Birth of a Provincial Movement – Inclusion Chilliwack Society, along with six other local parent associations across British Columbia, came together to..Read Full Story
Sunshine Drive
August 1956: A Gift of Land: Building a Home for Inclusion – A defining moment in the history of Inclusion Chilliwack Society came when the..Read Full Story
Inclusion Canada
A National Voice for Inclusion: The Founding of Inclusion Canada – In November 1958, provincial parent associations from across Canada—including those connected to Inclusion Chilliwack..Read Full Story
BC School Act
September 1959: The BC government amended the School Act, which enabled public school boards to take over full responsibility for the education and training of..Read Full Story
Sunshine Drive Hostel
March 1962: A Provincial First: Opening the Sunshine Drive Hostel – As part of a Federal Pilot Project, Inclusion Chilliwack Society (then operating under a..Read Full Story
Sunshine Drive School
September 1966: A New Beginning in Education: The Opening of Sunshine Drive School – In September 1966, a major step forward in inclusive education was..Read Full Story
People First
April 1974: Voices for Change: The Birth of People First in Canada – In April 1974, a powerful movement began when the first People First..Read Full Story
First “Employee”
A Historic Milestone: Hiring Our First Employee – Although the organization was powered primarily by volunteers in its early years, it wasn’t entirely without paid..Read Full Story
Bingo!
Bingo Nights: Fueling Growth Through Community Support – In March 1976, what is now Inclusion Chilliwack Society was offered the opportunity to run the Knights..Read Full Story
Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms
A Landmark Moment: Disability Rights Enshrined in the Charter – In April 1982, Canada took a historic step toward equality and inclusion with the adoption..Read Full Story
Taylor House Opens
Taylor House: A Milestone in Community Living – When the provincial government began transitioning individuals from institutions like Woodlands and Glendale back to their home..Read Full Story
Institutional Change
A Turning Point: Ending Child Admissions to Institutions – In March 1996, British Columbia implemented a no-child-admission policy for its large residential institutions. This landmark..Read Full Story
California Café Opens!
California Café: Pioneering Inclusive Employment – In 1988, ICS launched the California Café to help individuals transition into community-based professions. The restaurant served as a..Read Full Story
IDPWD
A Global Commitment: The Birth of International Day of Persons with Disabilities – In November 1992, following the conclusion of the United Nations Decade of..Read Full Story
Move to Mary Street
A New Home for ICS – The opening of ICS’s home office on Mary Street marked a significant milestone in the organization’s history. This event..Read Full Story
CARF Accreditation
May 2005: ICS is awarded its’ first 3-Year Accreditation Award. Achieving CARF accreditation means that ICS satisfies each of the CARF Accreditation conditions, demonstrates substantial..Read Full Story
Kilimanjaro 2006 – BCACL Climb for Community Living
The Climb for Community Living – Mount Kilimanjaro 2006 was a public awareness and fundraising initiative designed to support personal growth and achievement and promote..Read Full Story
Sunshine Community Garden
April 2012: The Sunshine Community Garden was officially launched on Earth Day in 2012. The Garden is designed to be an inclusive social space to..Read Full Story
End of an Era!
January 2016: CSCL’s first Executive Director, Brenda Gillette (pictured with Bruce Hayens), retires after 40 years of service to the Society and a new era..Read Full Story
Canadian Non-profit Employer of Choice Award
A Legacy of Excellence: CSCL Named Canadian Non-Profit Employer of Choice CSCL made history as the first community living agency in British Columbia to receive..Read Full Story
NHL Alumni Series
CSCL Welcomes NHL Legends to Chilliwack for Three Unforgettable Years: For three incredible years, the Chilliwack Society for Community Living (CSCL) had the distinct honour..Read Full Story
Chilliwack Museum Exhibit
Our Journey for Inclusion: Celebrating 70 Years of Innovation – ICS was proud to co-present a powerful and thought-provoking exhibition at the Chilliwack Museum titled..Read Full Story
Name Change
June 11, 2024: A New Chapter: CSCL Becomes Inclusion Chilliwack Society – At CSCL’s 70th Annual General Meeting on June 11, 2024, the Society’s Membership..Read Full Story
We acknowledge that we operate on the unceded, traditional territory of the Sto:lo People; we offer our gratitude for the honour of working and living on this land.
Contact Us:
Phone: +1 604 792 7726
Email: admin@inclusionchilliwack.org
Visit: 9353 Mary St, Chilliwack, BC