Who we are:

You've Gotta Have Friends is best described as a community movement aimed at assisting citizens to discover friendships and relationships.

For many reasons citizens can find themselves lonely and isolated and require support and assistance to rediscover the power in relationships and friendships.

You've Gotta Have Friends offers a variety of opportunities for participants to reconnect with other citizens  through personalized assistance and community activity.

You've Gotta Have Friends understands our need for belonging and seeks to build a movement in Langley that promotes inclusion of all citizens.

Our three main strategies:

1. Provide personalized assistance, support, and guidance to those who seek it
2. Nurture opportunities for people to meet and to establish community circles and networks
3. Raising the consciousness of community to the issue of loneliness and isolation and our universal need for belonging 

Vision and Mission:

Mission:

We have a commitment to mobilize positive change within ourselves, our service systems, and in our communities so that all Langlay citizens experience a sense of belonging.  We seek to ignite the capacity within our community and to inspire action.

Vision - You've Gotta Have Friends:

• fosters increased awareness of the importance of friendships
• intentionally nurtures socially valued roles for individuals
• is a catalyst for community to create and engage in new ways of building relationships
  

Values - In pursuit of our mission You've Gotta Have Friends values:

• the individuals gifts and potential
• upholding the good in each person with respect, inclusivity, equality, and compassion
• belonging for everyone in our community
• honesty, transparency, and integrity
• innovation and creativity

YGHF Steering Committee:

The community Steering Committee meets monthly, with the exception of the summer months. The committee is charged with providing overall leadership and direction to the YGHF movement.  The work of the committee generally covers three broad areas:

• Creation and renewal of the vision and the mission
• Determining the overall strategic direction of the initiative
• Providing assistance with the practical implementation and support of the initiative

Committee members' contributions vary from decision making to advisory to consultative, depending upon the circumstances.  We are committed to consensus decision making and value the contibutions that each unique member brings.  We strive to model inclusion.  

In addition to attendance at steering committee meetings YGHF steering committee members bring an abundance of knowledge, skills, and abilities to the initiative.

Steering committee members are encouraged to offer the unique skills to the committee and the coordinators.  This support can take a variety of forms: organizational assistance, volunteer time, fundraising efforts, training support, and public relations support.

Staff:

Pat Weibelzhal :

Janice McTaggart:

Volunteers:

Peni, Deb, Trevor, Ron, George, Al, Jane, and Paul

Steering Committee Members:

Eef, Janice, Donalda, Joan, Peni, Dan, Louise, Cheryl, and Betty Ann

YGHF History, Click here 

YGHF Memories