Moving out on your own is one of most exciting and defining steps in adulthood. It’s a change that brings new responsibilities, new routines and the chance to build your independence. For those who face challenges with everyday skills, it takes intentional planning, a strong support team and an unwavering belief in inclusion to make it possible.
For 28-year-old Phoebe Robertshaw, that dream became a reality this July when, after dedication and planning, she moved from her family home into her first apartment in Vancouver, B.C. With support from Community Living BC (CLBC), a crown corporation dedicated to helping adults with developmental disabilities live, work, and contribute to their communities, Phoebe, her family, and her CLBC Facilitator, Goli Khalafi, turned years of planning into an achievement worth sharing.
Building the foundation for independence
Phoebe is a thoughtful, determined young woman who has always been dedicated to achieving her goals. Growing up, she navigated challenges with independent life skills, such as planning routines, managing daily responsibilities, and finding her way in the community. She first began planning for more independence when she graduated from high school at 19 years old. Although independent living wasn’t her immediate goal, Phoebe’s aspirations evolved as she gained more experience and confidence in her abilities.
Part of Phoebe’s readiness to live on her own came from the confidence she built through her education and work. She completed the Early Childhood Education Assistant program at Sprott Shaw College, an achievement that required significant self-advocacy and dedication. Her long-standing passion for working with children motivated her to push through each challenge. Starting a job as an Education Assistant role in a preschool gave her a sense of independence and responsibility that carried into her goals around independent living, reinforcing that she was prepared for the transition.
Working together to support Phoebe’s goals
Phoebe (left) with her CLBC Facilitator, Goli (right).
Phoebe has worked with her CLBC Facilitator, Goli, for over ten years. As a Facilitator, Goli is Phoebe’s main contact at CLBC and helps her plan for life changes, access community supports, and coordinate services Phoebe needs to live the life she wants. Goli has been a CLBC Facilitator for 16 years now and is dedicated to helping people find the support they need to reach their goals.
“My passion is pure and simple, it’s to help people. By understanding the systems around us, we can help people navigate through and get them where they need to go,” said Goli.
It can take time to find the right type of housing, and over the last three years, Phoebe and her family kept in touch with Goli through meetings and check-ins. This helped CLBC keep Phoebe top of mind when a subsidized housing opportunity came up that was a perfect fit.
The opportunity was a unit at Gateway Apartments in West Vancouver, a BC Housing subsidized building managed by the Vancouver Resource Society (VRS). The building has 10 units designated for CLBC-eligible individuals who live semi-independently with support from VRS staff, while the rest of the building units are standard rentals. Specifically, they were looking for individuals who are mostly independent and relied on minimal support, which prompted Goli to put Phoebe’s name forward.
VRS staff are on site 24/7 to provide CLBC-eligible individuals with support that ranges based on the person. In Phoebe’s case, she is largely independent and appreciates occasional check-ins from VRS staff to see how she’s doing, remind her about VRS social events, and offer support with small tasks like cooking or cleaning when needed.
“I just knew I was ready for independence. Support is everything to me, and I knew within myself that I could do this with the support of my family, Goli, and VRS,” said Phoebe.
Guidance, support, and new routines
Phoebe’s parents stayed closely involved, helping her prepare for the move and build practical life skills such as cooking, cleaning, and managing daily routines. They approached the transition gradually, with Phoebe spending a few nights at her apartment at a time to gain confidence and adjust to her new routines before fully living on her own.
This step-by-step approach allowed Phoebe to take on more responsibility at her own pace, while knowing her family and support team were available to guide her whenever needed.
“What we’ve always said to Phoebe is that while her family will always support her, she has to find out what her potential is as an independent adult,” said Philippa Robertshaw, Phoebe’s mom.
Excitement for the future
Phoebe Robertshaw standing outside her new apartment building.
Now settled in her new home, Phoebe is establishing her routines and enjoying her independence. She uses public transit to get to work and the gym, and she’s excited about getting a dog in the near future. While living alone has brought new responsibilities, it has also opened up opportunities for Phoebe to build on her independence and expand her social connections through meeting neighbours and attending social events put on by VRS in the building.
Goli describes Phoebe as optimistic, determined, and focused on what matters most to her. Through patience, teamwork, and a shared commitment to Phoebe’s goals, the collaboration between Phoebe, her family, and CLBC has helped her reach this important milestone.
“Independence means everything to me. I feel like I’ve grown as a person now that I’ve been here for a few months. Living on my own has been both an emotional and physical adjustment, but Gateway feels like my new home. My parents’ house is more like my second home now,” said Phoebe.