Over the past six months, our Executive Director, Dana Osiowy, has been immersed in an inspiring and transformative learning journey through the United Way Public Policy Institute. This intensive program brought together changemakers from across British Columbia to sharpen their public policy skills, refine their advocacy goals, and imagine systems that better serve our communities.
For Dana, this meant turning a long-held belief and Family Place practice into a bold policy proposal:
What if every program that touches the lives of families with young children—from early learning to recreation—used a Strengths-Based Approach (SBA)?
A Strengths-Based Approach shifts how services are delivered. It asks:
- How do we focus on what’s strong, not what’s wrong?
- How can we build systems that see families as capable, resilient, and resourceful?
- How might we build trust through relationships rather than transactions?
Dana’s policy proposal outlines how embedding SBA into community programs can transform outcomes for families. It begins by equipping service providers with a consistent, relational framework—one that emphasizes caregiver confidence, connection, and capacity. Rather than isolated interventions, this approach encourages coordinated, respectful support that reflects what families truly need and value. It’s about seeing the whole picture and designing systems that lift up, rather than leave out.
Throughout the Institute, Dana had the opportunity to learn from a remarkable group of policy leaders and changemakers, including former Premier Carole James, Andrea Reimer, Ginger Gosnell-Myers, Mark Siebens, and Ruth Wittenberg. Their teachings, grounded in lived experience and deep policy wisdom, offered not only tools but also the courage to pursue lasting change.
As Dana shared her final presentation—complete with visual summaries and implementation pathways—it was clear that this work is just beginning and Family Place is leading the way. The vision is to seed this strengths-based model right here in New Westminster and advocate for its adoption across BC.
We believe deeply in systems that honour family strengths, nurture caregiver wellbeing, and build community from the inside out. And we’re proud to be part of a growing movement making that vision real. Stay tuned as we continue to explore how this policy ask can take root in local programs and ripple outward to shape a more supportive, connected future for families across our province.