Child, Youth and Family Services - Wachiay Friendship Centre
Child Services, Condition Specific Support, Family / Parenting, Indigenous Services, Social / Recreational, and Youth Services
Provided by Wachiay Friendship Centre
Provides services and supports to the urban Indigenous population in the Comox Valley Regional District.
Wachiay delivers programs and services to Indigenous and non-Indigenous people. Services include:
- FASD Keyworker: Key Workers provide assistance to families with children and youth (ages 0-19) who may have fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) or other complex developmental behavioural conditions (CDBC) that are similar in nature to FASD. The FASD Keyworker provides flexible, timely and culturally sensitive supports for families of children and youth with confirmed or suspected FASD.
- Early Childhood Development (ages 0-6 years): For families with children ages 0-6. This program is a great opportunity to enjoy child-centered play through planned activities and free play with Indigenous cultural components.
- Hummingbirds provides parents and children a healthy breakfast and culturally-based programming. The program is offered every Monday from 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM.
- Roots: The Roots Practitioner works with children and youth in care of the Ministry of Children and Family Development (MCFD) to identify their ancestry, extended family and community as early as possible. This ensures connection to family, community and culture are respected and honoured.
- Family Circle: Incorporates Indigenous culture and includes interactive programming (drumming, singing, story-telling, and traditional teachings). The program is offered every Friday from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM.
- Family Night: Offers families a chance to socialize and build community connections. When the weather permits, gatherings often happen outdoors. The program is offered every Thursday from 4:30 PM - 7:00 PM.
- United Way BC School's Out Program: (for ages 6-12 years old). Program activities include: swimming, skating, sports, arts and crafts, games, talking circles, healthy snacks, school supports and more. The program is offered every Tuesday and Thursday from 3:30-5:30 pm. This is offered following the school schedule, pausing for summer break and resuming when school begins in the Fall.
- Eagles Youth Program: The Eagles program is for youth ages 13 to 18. Program activities include: hiking, fishing, tracking, fire safety, outdoor education, swimming, saking, paddle boarding, running, culture box, talking circles with Elders and mentors, and more. One-on-one outreach to work on anxiety, self-esteem, leadership skills, life skills (resume building, budgeting, communication, social skills building and more) is also provided. The program is offered on Wednesdays from 3:30-5:00 pm.
- Bears: The Bears program is for children and youth ages 6 to 12. Program activities include: swimming, skating, paddle boarding, sports, arts and crafts, games, talking circles, healthy snacks, and culture box. One-on-one outreach to work on anxiety, self-esteem, leadership skills, life skills (communication, social skill building and more) is also provided. The program is offered on Tuesdays from 3:30-5:30 pm.
- Everyone Welcome Swim: Swimming is held at the Aquatic Centre. Parent/guardian supervision is mandatory for children and youth unable to swim on their own. The program is offered every second Wednesday from 6:30-8:00 pm.
- The Circle of Security Parenting program: provides an opportunity for parents to strengthen healthy and secure attachments with their children, in a safe and supportive community. This program is for families to build upon child and parent attachment and rebuild a sense of community through elder support, cultural teachings, and gatherings that build social support with other families and the village as a whole.
250-338-7793
Public email: reception@wachiay.org
Website: https://www.wachiay.org/
1625 McPhee Avenue, Courtenay, British Columbia, V9N 3A6
250-871-0803 (FASD Keyworker)
Public email: meranda.f@wachiay.org
Website: https://www.wachiay.org/fasd-keyworker
(Early Childhood Development)
Public email: jesscia.l@wachiay.org
Website: https://www.wachiay.org/hummingbirds...
778-225-0315 (The Circle of Security Parenting Program)
Public email: rtv@wachiay.org
Website: https://www.wachiay.org/recreating...
Cost: No cost
Referral options:
- Social worker referral
- Physician or nurse practitioner referral
- Ministry of Children & Family Development referral
Associated Programs/Services
Also offered by Wachiay Friendship Centre:
Availability
Service area: Black Creek, Campbell River, Comox, Courtenay, Cumberland, Denman Island, Fanny Bay, Hornby Island, Merville, Qualicum Beach + show cities
Service Types Provided
Child Services
Condition Specific Support
Family / Parenting
Indigenous Services
Social / Recreational
Youth Services
Ways to Access
- Provided 1:1 in-person
- Provided in a group in-person
The listing of this service in Pathways is not a recommendation or endorsement by Pathways.