Client Spotlight: SHARE Family & Community Services
SHARE Family & Community Services is a trusted non-profit organization serving the Tri-Cities region of British Columbia since 1972. What began as a small clothing exchange has grown into a vital community resource, offering programs that support food security, affordable housing, mental health and addiction, early childhood development, and newcomer settlement. Guided by values of inclusion, compassion, and community connection, SHARE works to ensure everyone has the support they need to thrive. The organization is proudly led by CEO Claire MacLean, who brings a wealth of experience in social services and a deep commitment to community impact.
01. TELL US ABOUT YOURSELF.
Claire: I am the Chief Executive Officer of SHARE Family & Community Services Society.
I’ve worked in social services and government for my entire career. I started in a daycare setting, supporting children with special needs, and eventually became a speech-language pathologist. Over time, I worked on teams supporting children and youth with neurodiversities and developmental challenges. I later transitioned into policy and contract management roles with the Ontario government, focusing on early childhood and family programs. Eventually, I found my way back to the Lower Mainland and into the Tri-Cities community, where I joined this organization—which has been nothing short of magical.
02. HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN AT SHARE, FAMILY & COMMUNITY SERVICES?
Claire: I joined SHARE in 2016. In late 2017, the board asked me to step into the CEO role, which I’ve proudly held since then.
03. WHAT IS SHARE AND WHAT MAKES IT DIFFERENT?
Claire: SHARE is unique in that we don’t serve just one demographic or address just one issue. Our mandate is to support people during times of vulnerability, which looks different for everyone. Whether someone is facing financial hardship, mental health challenges, or navigating life as a newcomer, we aim to see the whole person and wrap services around their needs.
We offer a broad range of services—from running food banks and affordable housing, to counseling, legal advocacy, and disability support. We also serve all age groups, from infants to seniors. The diversity and comprehensiveness of our programs are what set us apart.
It’s one thing to try and stop the flood as it spills over the banks, but it’s another to go upstream and build sandbanks to prevent the flooding in the first place. That’s the approach we take. People may come to us with an immediate need, like food or housing, but then we connect them with counseling, employment services, and other supports. Suddenly, a parent is better equipped to return to the workforce, shift their financial situation, and maybe no longer need the food bank. That’s what we aim for—changing the trajectory people are on.
04. WHAT’S THE HISTORY OF SHARE AND WHAT’S CHANGED SINCE YOU STARTED?
Claire: SHARE has been in the community since 1972. It started as a grassroots effort—neighbors organizing a clothing exchange to help others get proper winter coats. Over 50 years later, we now serve over 30,000 people annually.
What’s changed is the scale and complexity of the issues we address. We’ve had to adapt to rising needs in areas like affordable housing, food security, and mental health—particularly among youth. But our core mission remains the same: seeing a need and doing our best to respond to it.
05. WHAT HAS BEEN CHALLENGE FOR SHARE, AND HOW ARE YOU HANDLING IT?
Claire: A significant recent challenge was the abrupt loss of federal funding for refugee services. These supports are still very much needed, but losing that funding meant we had rethink how we deliver those services.
We rely on government funding, but we also fundraise extensively. Building strong relationships with local businesses and donors is essential. We try to demonstrate strong outcomes and return on investment, which hopefully encourages continued support from all sources.
06. WHAT IS A WIN YOU’VE HAD OVER THE PAST YEAR?
Claire: One of our most exciting wins is the upcoming launch of a new Foundry centre in our community this fall. Foundry is a provincial initiative offering one-stop, drop-in access to care for youth aged 12–24 and their families. It includes primary care, counseling, peer support, and help with physical, sexual, and mental health concerns—all under one roof, with no waitlists. We’re thrilled to bring this much-needed resource to our area.
07. WHAT SERVICES DO YOU OFFER THAT YOU WANT OTHERS TO KNOW ABOUT?
Claire: We provide such a wide range of services that many people don’t realize everything we offer. For instance, to highlight a few, in addition to basic needs like food and housing, we provide counseling across all ages, including play therapy for young children and support for seniors. We support newcomers with English language groups and settlement services. We offer programs for children with developmental delays, and for youth, we provide life skills programs like taking transit or preparing for the workforce. For seniors, we offer grocery delivery, social visits, and transportation to medical appointments.
08. HOW DO YOU SEE CANADA’S CURRENT ECONOMY AFFECTING SHARE AND THE INDUSTRY?
Claire: When the economy is strong, so are community services. When it’s struggling, our sector feels the strain. There’s less funding to go around, even as more people come through our doors. Our staff and clients are both affected by financial stress, rising costs, and uncertainty. We’re expected to do more with less, and that’s a tough reality to navigate.
09. WHERE DO YOU SEE SHARE IN FIVE YEARS?
Claire: We’re working hard to expand our role in affordable housing. I hope that in five years, we’ll have increased the number of below-market homes we can offer. We’re also focused on strengthening partnerships with businesses and private donors so we can remain flexible and responsive to whatever comes next.
10. HOW IS SHARE A LEADER IN THE COMMUNITY?
Claire: We’re deeply embedded in the Tri-Cities. People often say, “Just call SHARE—they’ll know what to do,” and we take that seriously. If we can’t help someone directly, we’ll connect them to someone who can. We also sit at over 30 community planning tables, working with municipalities, health authorities, and other partners to inform local policy and service planning. We’re active in the local Chamber of Commerce and make sure we’re part of every conversation that shapes our community.
11. WHAT’S A RESOURCE YOU THINK MORE PEOPLE SHOULD KNOW ABOUT?
Claire: One thing people may not realize is that SHARE is part of the broader healthcare system. While hospitals handle acute care, organizations like ours provide the follow-up, like speech therapy for premature babies or counseling for children and families. People often don’t think about us until they need us, but we’re here to help with the ongoing, day-to-day aspects of health and well-being.
12. WHAT ARE OTHER COMMUNITY SERVICES / NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS YOU ADMIRE?
Claire: So many of our partners. The Port Moody Police have a fantastic community outreach worker who collaborates closely with our team. Progressive Housing Society runs the winter shelter, and we work together to support individuals transitioning between our services. NaloxHome, a local organization started by a former SHARE volunteer, now trains citizens to administer Naloxone. It’s amazing to see that kind of impact grow from within our own community.
13. WHERE DO YOU GET YOUR OWN PERSONAL SUPPORT FROM?
Claire: I’m fortunate to have a supportive husband and family. I’ve always worked on strong teams, and the people at SHARE are not just brilliant and caring—they’re also fun to work with. Personally, one of the biggest learnings over the last decade has been figuring out how to take care of myself. I’m still on that journey, and I’m grateful to have a network of female friends going through it with me. That shared experience has been incredibly comforting and empowering.
Learn more about SHARE and all the ways they are impacting their community including their upcoming Remember the Food Bank Campaign. – sharesociety.ca
This interview has been edited and condensed.
