2023 Annual Report
2023 was another year of growing programs and outstanding achievements from our amazing students. Thank you to our expanding community of families, students, partners and supporters for a wonderful year of learning!
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Rachel S. Forbes
Executive Director
Juris Doctor, Bachelor of Arts in Social Geography, Certificate in Urban Studies
Rachel (she/her/they) is a passionate leader who brings 25 years of nonprofit capacity building experience, strategic thought, diverse skills and heart to her role at LDS – Learn. Develop. Succeed.
Rachel completed her undergraduate studies at Simon Fraser University (SFU), earning an Honours Bachelor of Arts in Social Geography, a minor in Communications and a Certificate in Urban Studies. After working in community development at SFU, she went on to study law at the University of Victoria, where she focused her studies and her subsequent practice on environmental and social justice issues as well as Indigenous rights and reconciliation.
Over the past 25 years, she has worked with dozens of nonprofits, charities and companies, including serving as executive director, program lead on national initiatives, staff lawyer, policy consultant, and also in a volunteer leadership capacity on many BC nonprofit boards.
She enjoys utilizing her breadth of experience in governance, fundraising, strategy, project management and communications to build capacity within LDS as it continues its strategic growth journey. Rachel is thrilled to be leading and building the energetic and committed professionals who make up the LDS team. As a parent of two young children and as someone who grew up knowing the education system closely, Rachel is passionate about ensuring every person has access to the comprehensive learning supports they need to build the resiliency, confidence and practical skills that will set them up for success throughout life.
Connect with Rachel on LinkedIn.
Professional Memberships:
- Law Society of British Columbia, practicing / nonpracticing member, 2009 to 2023
Recent Professional Development:
- Attended and presented at Social Impact Summit, hosted by Power to Give, June 2024
- Attended and presented at the 2022 Early Years Conference (UBC)
- Foundations in Diversity and Inclusion (Canadian Centre for Diversity and Inclusion, 2021)
- Public speaking and media training, Dr Mark Winston, SFU Centre for Dialogue
- The Art of Effective Digital Workplaces: A Communication Style Workshop
Featured Posts
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We support the Representative for Children and Youth’s report on calls for systemic change
We are grateful to the RCY for the comprehensive research and thoughtful approach demonstrated throughout the recently released “Don’t Look Away” report. This vital work illuminates the challenges faced by vulnerable children and youth and urges us all to take decisive action.
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Form and Function – Moving Toward A Flattened Org Structure
As we evolve and mature as an organization, it behooves us to ensure that not only the substance of our work but also its form aligns with our values. We are announcing a new senior management team.
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Shift Priorities: Invest in Our Kids
There have been many developments in BC related to investing in education and supporting unique learners. There have also been a significant number of stories about teacher and school resource shortages and budgetary cuts for non-core educational services.
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2024 Update on our Fees
Learn about our 2024-25 fees. Our goal is for our fees to be fair, equitable, consistent and accessible; this post helps to explain how we achieve that.
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Campaign Update – $200K for 200 Kids
Read the exciting update from our $200K for 200 Kids Transforming Lives campaign. Our generous donors and sponsors have helped us surpass our fundraising goal!
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Light Up for Learning
Join us on November 20 at Canada Place as we Light Up for Learning. This season we are giving back with free assessments, family coaching and more!
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Support $200K for 200 Kids and Transform a Child’s Life
One in 10 Canadian children has a learning difference, like dyslexia. At LDS, we believe that every one of them should have access to the critical individualized education support they need to succeed in school and in life.
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Cause We Care Bursary for Single Mothers
We are excited to announce the establishment of the Cause We Care Bursary for Single Mothers. Cause We Care is a public foundation that invests in programs and services that support single mothers to achieve security and build positive futures for themselves and their children.
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LDS affirms no space for hate
We affirm our unwavering support for inclusivity, diversity, and the promotion of Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity (SOGI) rights within our community.
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2022 Annual Report
2022 was another year of growing programs and outstanding achievements from our amazing students. Thank you to our expanding community of families, students, partners and supporters for a wonderful year of learning!
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2023 Update on how we build fairness and equity into our fee structure
Our goal is for our fees to be fair, equitable, consistent and accessible; this post helps to explain how we achieve that.
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What’s new in 2023-24
Read about what’s new for LDS families and students in 2023-2024. We are excited to share with you information about a new platform, fees and income scale.
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We did it! Thank you for helping us transform lives!
We are excited to share that through your kind generosity our LDS Transforming Lives $200K for 200 Kids Campaign raised an inspiring total of $237,624!!
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2021 Annual Report
Thanks to our growing community of families, students, partners and supporters, the year 2021 was filled with new and growing programs, outstanding achievements f rom our amazing students, and a lot of wonderful learning!
Learn MoreHow we build fairness and equity into our fee structure
Our goal is for our fees to be fair, equitable, consistent and accessible; this post helps to explain how we achieve that.
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TELUS Talks | Supporting kids with learning differences: Rachel Forbes
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2021: A year of growth and transformation
Join us as we reflect on the successes, learnings and achievements of 2021, all made possible by our families, students and supporters!
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Press Release: LDS Launches Early Intervention and Education Program
LDS announces their new, groundbreaking
Early RISErs early education and intervention program for children ages 3-5.
LDS Annual Report 2020
Please see our 2020 Annual Report for an overview of our specialized programs, our students’ achievements and our charity’s progress, including highlights from 2021.
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LDS Annual Report 2019
Please see our 2019 Annual Report for an overview of our specialized programs, our students’ achievements and our charity’s progress, including highlights from 2020.
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LDS 2018 Annual Report
2018 was a groundbreaking year for LDS, as we lay the framework for future growth and sustainability. We are proud to be Vancouver’s primary non-profit service provider for children with Learning Disabilities.
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