Incoming Squamish Helping Hands executive director wants to build upon its foundation

The incoming executive director at the Squamish Helping Hands Society says she hopes to build upon the organization's foundation and continue to educate and engage with the community about the services.

Lori Pyne will soon take over the reins of the society from Maureen Mackell as executive director.

Pyne comes in after spending nine years in various roles at Whistler Community Services Society, including a couple of years as acting executive director. 

Currently, the two are taking a couple of weeks to transition, but one of Pyne’s first incoming goals is to develop a new strategic plan. 

“I'm going to be working on a strategic plan right away because the last strategic plan brought us to where we are today,” she said.

Later on down the line, Pyne said that she was interested in exploring social enterprise options in Squamish, which are businesses with overarching social goals.

Pyne said social enterprises were part of what she learned about at Whistler Community Services Society.

But first Pyne is spending her beginning soaking up knowledge from Mackell and the staff.

“What I've observed here in the last couple of weeks is a real web of support here,” she said.

The development of that supportive web is a major highlight for Mackell, who leaves after 13 years at the helm of the society.

“I’m proud of the team that we’ve built,” said Mackell. “I'm proud of the model. It's innovative and solution-focused.”

Part of that model includes a focus on key needs such as food, shelter and a sense of community. But Mackell explained that they’ve grown further and included a sense of purpose and health as well.

“The health piece was really a huge successful add-on once we got into Under One Roof. So now we have a primary care clinic on site; we have a pain management program,” she said.

There have been broader difficulties along the way including the COVID-19 pandemic and the continued opioid crisis that faces Squamish and B.C. There also have been localized difficulties and tragedies including the struggle to afford housing and the tragic loss of life that occurred in 2022.

In response, Mackell said these issues at hand are complex and layered.

“It's certainly not a simple problem that we've got before us. But you can't be all one way or the other,” she said.

“I really believe that it has to be safe for everyone. It has to be vibrant for everyone and it has to work for everyone. The solution to that is not always easy,” she continued. “And it doesn't mean everybody has to be the same. We have to be able to allow for diversity and inclusiveness and an understanding that not everybody has the same capacity, no matter what we do.”

Mackell said there is still room for balance in the Squamish community and that coming together can go a long way.

An upcoming event that the community can look forward to, said Pyne, is a public ribbon-cutting of sorts for the covered shelter area at Under One Roof on May 16. 

The structure was constructed by Blue Water Concepts as part of Builders Fest at Van Urban Timber in September. Mackell said the event is to celebrate the generosity of the two companies.

For more information about Squamish Helping Hands Society, go to SquamishHelpingHands.ca.