Personal Support
– Referrals to community resources
– Advocacy
– Food Security
– Support navigating various governmental systems (MCFD, Youth Justice, Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction)
– Support with making and getting to crucial appointments

Education
– Employment readiness (resume writing, job applications)
– Education and Alternate Education Plans
– Life skills

Health
– Mental health, substance use, sexual health, and referrals
– Help accessing harm reduction/sexual health supplies
– Support navigating health care system
– Pregnancy and parenting support
– Helping 2SLBTQIA+ individuals access gender affirming care
– Access to sports and recreation

Housing
– Support with housing applications

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The Art of Reconciliation program is for Indigenous and non-Indigenous young people ages 18-29 to build their confidence to engage in reconciliation dialogue and actions with their peers and community. Learning spaces are based in Indigenous ways of seeing the world and inclusive of experiential cultural sharing while exploring themes of reconciliation. Art making follows a series of workshops with final artwork and artist statements resulting in weeks of reflection, group discussion, and deep learning. Public exhibitions of participant artwork brings the broader community into the reconciliation dialogue.

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The Volunteer Program provides opportunities for all community members to share their time and skills with the various departments of VNFC and help to enhance the capacity of programming and activities. We ensure all volunteers have a supported intake and strong onboarding process, which includes an online orientation webinar, screening processes, tour, and optional cultural safety training. Some opportunities include the Community Soup Lunch, Bruce Parisian Library, Food and Medicine Garden, and more!

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This is a program for women who have experienced violence. It was developed to support Indigenous Women 19+ years of age who are ready and willing to examine their relationship with family violence. The intent of the program is to provide an opportunity for Indigenous Women to gain a deeper understanding of family violence and its impact on self, family, and community.

• Creating a vision of what a community free of family violence would look, sound, and feel like
• Gaining a sense of self/reclaiming sense of self
• Identifying what a respectful relationship would look like
• Defining family violence and effect of family violence
• Cycle of stopping family violence

Program runs 4 weeks in length

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The Community Learning Program (CLP) is designed to support Indigenous and non-Indigenous individuals interested in working in or with Indigenous organizations. It empowers participants to foster pride in Indigenous culture, build meaningful connections, and deepen understandings of reconciliation through Indigenous ways of knowing. Through guided reflection and experiential learning, participants will gain the confidence to engage in reconciliation with awareness, respect, and impact

Program Overview
This 3.5 day program (1/2 day self-paced online learning + 3 full in-person days) is held at the VNFC. Together, we will explore experiential learning, discussions, applied skill-building and guided circle practice.

Key learning outcomes include understanding Indigenous experiences and the impact of historical and contemporary colonialism and systemic barriers, engaging with Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities to build mutual trust, and gaining hands-on skills for culturally safe, trauma-informed, and anti-racist practices. 

Through this program you will: 

• Develop cultural sensitivity in Indigenous history and reconciliation efforts
• Learn about the diversity of Indigenous Peoples in Canada and their contributions to society
• Practice self-location and understand the importance of territorial acknowledgments
• Access resources for continuing your reconciliation journey and tools to create a personal learning plan
• Implement right-based approaches that align with UNDRIP and the Truth and Reconciliation Calls to Action
• Explore Indigenous teachings relevant to local communities, including Coast Salish circle protocols, gift-giving, and Elder guidance

For more information on available dates in 2025, please contact learning.programs@vnfc.ca  and see the calendar below

Costs include learning materials, completion certificate aligned with professional development opportunities, delicious hot lunches, coffee, tea and snacks.

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We provide cultural workshops throughout the month. Please visit the calendar for more details. Everyone Welcome. RSVP by email culture@vnfc.ca

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Join us for light exercises, health tips, and organized outings. We participate in the annual July 30×30 challenge, to be active for 30 minutes daily for 30 days. Prize incentives monthly. Regular participants invited to field trips monthly. RSVP by email culture@vnfc.ca.

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The 6-week Empowerment Program is for kids ages 7-12 and is hosted through the ECD Department. Followed by a 6-week Connections Program for kids ages 7-12.

Program Content:
• Coping with Strong Emotions
• Standing up to Bullies
• Healthy Relationships
• Expressing Boundaries
• Health & Wellness
• Connecting to Culture

Participants will receive a certificate upon completion.

Monday afternoon drop-in from 4pm – 6pm open for any current or past program participants.

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The RAVE Youth Drop-in serves youth ages 12-18 years old. Our Drop-in program offers structured programming that often challenges the youth to try something new, to learn something new, and get out of their comfort zone. We publish our activity calendars at the beginning of each month.

In addition, we have monthly drop-ins for 2SLGBTQIA+ for youth and allies from 12-25 years of age.

No intake required.

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The “Awakening the Warrior Within” program has been developed to support Indigenous men, 19+ years of age, who are ready and willing to examine their relationship with Family Violence. The intent of the program is to provide an opportunity for Indigenous men to gain a deeper understanding of family violence and its impact on self, family and Community.

“I am grateful to all the men who have decided to walk a path of peacemaking in their relationships with their families and the wider community. They are wanting to take up the more traditional roles of males that our men once had in the past, providing safety, security, support and teachings for the next generations as we continue to break the cycle of violence for nothing. They are all truly Awakened Warriors.” – Glenn Patterson, facilitator

Program Content:

• Creating a vision of what a community free of family violence would look like, sound like, and feel like
• Gaining a sense of self/reclaiming sense of self
• Identifying what a respectful relationship would look like
• Defining family violence and effects of family violence
• Cycle of stopping family violence

Program runs 4 weeks in length

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