The VNFC Food and Medicine Garden is planted year-round, growing fresh, organic vegetables and plant medicines. The garden is tended to by a team of dedicated staff and volunteers.

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The Hamper Program was developed at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic to provide food security supports to community members.

The Hamper Program:

– Provides 220 hampers on a weekly basis to families, those sheltering in hotels, individuals, and tenants residing at Siem Lelum and Fernwood house.

– Provides fresh produce, Cobbs bread, Farm and Field meat, Zambris pasta sauce, and non-perishable food items.

– Provide nutritious food and snacks

– Allows for community to continue being connected to the Victoria Native Friendship Centre through food

INTERNAL REFERRALS ONLY

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Social workers help families achieve their goals by providing support throughout the development, implementation, and completion of individualized risk reduction plans by providing continuing supports, check-ins, and advocacy. These supports can include Advocacy with MCFD, attending case conferences, meeting with lawyers and preparation for court, and one-on-one emotional support.

We assist with:
• Developing and implementing a long and short-term goal plan and a family/individual wellness plan.
• Providing parents and with support and educational programs that are culturally sensitive.
• Assisting family to provide safe, stable, and nurturing environments for their children.
• Providing goal-oriented and time limited appointments.
• Helping problem solve to overcome challenges along the way.
• Developing self-advocacy skills.
• Information regarding available housing
• Preserving the family unit.
• Developing a community as a whole to respond to families needs.
• Providing information regarding budgeting, shopping, household, and time management skills.
• Regular checking in to support you in working towards your goals.
• Developing new parenting tools to cope with parenting challenges.
• Providing information on how to deal with government systems.
• Making connections with cultural relevant resources.

Some areas of support include, but are not limited to, providing one-on-one emotional support, attending case conferences, meeting with lawyers, preparation for court, and advocacy with MCFD. Using a holistic, culturally sensitive approach, the Social Worker will be part of a multi-disciplinary team working to improve children, family, and community identity and wellness.

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Family Support workers take a holistic, balanced approach that is culturally relevant in providing support to individuals and families.

We assist with:
• Providing parents with support and educational programs that are culturally sensitive.
• Provide goal-oriented and time limited appointments.
• Developing self-advocacy skills.
• Information regarding available housing resources
• Providing information regarding budgeting, shopping, household, and time management skills.
• Developing new parenting tools to cope with parenting challenges.
• Transportation to and from appointments.
• Providing information of all available community resources that may be of assistance.
• Providing information/fill about the Legal/Law documents.
• Providing supports for custody disputes and domestic violence.
• Facilitating family or “Circle of Support” meetings.

Family support workers assist families in achieving their goals through support, referral, skill development, education, mentorship, and cultural continuity. We conduct home visits, and provide support with parenting skills, communication skills, budgeting, life skills, nutrition, housing, social assistance, legal aid and court processes. All team workers strive to build solid networks of support within our community and with sister agencies. Many referrals to supports can be made in house, but external referrals to community supports are made if necessary. The team works to relate traditional and cultural values to urban life.

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This is a drop-in support group for all parents with young children (up to the age of 6). A Public Health Nurse is available to answer any questions or parenting concerns. Dietitian available. A female Elder is available for guidance and support. Cultural activities are provided.

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