We started our Everyday Relationships in Action gatherings back in March 2026, which originated from our work with Janet Klees. Janet has over thirty years of experience with the lives of people with disabilities, their families, and allies in community. Janet joined us for our mini-series, ‘Building a Context for Relationships’, at the start of 2026, where she and Marta Carlucci led discussions on how we can support freely-given reciprocal relationships that create valued roles within communities.
At the end of the series, families wanted a way to keep learning together and putting the ideas into practice. So, we started meeting monthly.
We use the gatherings to think together, share what we're trying, and support one another to create more opportunities for relationships to grow in everyday community. Using Janet Klees' 5 pillars for building a context for relationships as a reference, we explore real situations and take practical steps toward helping our family members become known, valued, and connected in everyday community life:
We welcome new families who are curious about what could be possible: exploring together what a regular, equitable, and authentic life can look like, and discovering possibilities beyond traditional services and programs.
At the end of the series, families wanted a way to keep learning together and putting the ideas into practice. So, we started meeting monthly.
We use the gatherings to think together, share what we're trying, and support one another to create more opportunities for relationships to grow in everyday community. Using Janet Klees' 5 pillars for building a context for relationships as a reference, we explore real situations and take practical steps toward helping our family members become known, valued, and connected in everyday community life:
- Interests: shared interests, spaces, and opportunities, starting with our loved one
- Place: a typical place where those with the same interests are found
- Presence: frequent, regular, and predictable contribution
- Role with contribution: the role your loved one will undertake to deepen their identity
- People: how others can ‘be the bridge’ and support new relationships
We welcome new families who are curious about what could be possible: exploring together what a regular, equitable, and authentic life can look like, and discovering possibilities beyond traditional services and programs.