The Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction focuses on providing British Columbians in need with a system of supports to help them achieve their social and economic potential.

Featured Services

Income Assistance – Apply for B.C. Employment and Assistance (BCEA).

Disability Assistance – Apply for Persons with Disabilities Assistance.

My Self Serve – Secure online access to income and disability assistance programs and services in B.C.

WorkBC – Committed to help British Columbians successfully navigate B.C.’s labour market.

Bus Pass – A reduced cost, annual bus pass for low income seniors and individuals receiving disability assistance.

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The VNFC Wellness Clinic provides access to healing and wellness modalities for Indigenous community members and people accessing VNFC services. We have partnered with the Pacific Rim College (PRC), the West Coast College of Massage Therapy (WCCMT) and local health providers to bring services in a culturally friendly and supportive environment. All services are free of charge and are by appointment.

Herbal Medicine

Pacific Rim College students provided information and consultations about herbal and plant medicines. Herbal tinctures, teas and capsules are offered to treat a range of conditions.

Acupuncture

Pacific Rim College students provide acupuncture specific to your health needs. Along with acupuncture, your session may include fire cupping, gua sha and tui na massage. Monday 8:45am – 2:15pm

Community Massage

Students from West Coast College of Massage Therapy provide 50-minute massages. Thursday 10:00am – 1:00pm

Foot Care

Footcare clinics are offered to Indigenous Community members by Registered Nurses and are for people with diabetes and elders. They are scheduled once a month, are by appointment only, and cannot be booked through reception. Please contact Scott or Isobel to sign up (scott.i@vnfc.ca or isobel.d@vnfc.ca).

How to Access the Wellness Clinic

Appointments for the VNFC Wellness Clinic can be booked through VNFC Reception (except foot care – see above). Call 250-384-3211 or email reception@vnfc.ca. Please arrive 10-15 minutes before your scheduled appointment time.

How to Reach Us

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The Parent Legal Centre provides a free lawyer and an advocate to help address the social worker’s concerns about your children’s safety (child protection) early on. Together they can help you find solutions that work for you and your family.

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The VNFC Health Services team includes Indigenous Health Support Workers, Mental Health and Substance Use Counsellors, and a Mental Health Liaison. Our Health Services team provide holistic and culturally safe health and wellness services to people who identify as Indigenous and their families.

Health Support Workers

Provide one-on-one support for people with health challenges, including:

• Navigate access to health care and wellness services
• Advocate on client’s behalf within the health care system
• Assist with accessing health benefits funding for services, equipment, and medications
• Provide transportation to appointments for clients with mobility issues

Provide group support and education, including:

• Lunch & Learns
• Drop-in monthly information sharing about health issues and resources
• Footcare
• Services and assessment provided by a Footcare Nurse for Elders and people with diabetes. Registration is required
• Health Support Circles and Cultural Sharing
• Sharing circles and cultural activities (art, music, food) help to support mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual health and wellbeing

Mental Health and Substance Use Supports

• One-on-one counselling for people with substance use issues in all stages of change
• Client-centred goal setting and help with developing healthy living skills
• harm reduction, abstinence, setting boundaries, stress management
• Information about and referrals to other mental health and substance use services for healing and recovery, such as support groups, other agencies, and residential treatment centers
• Advocacy and support in navigating the mental health and substance use systems
• Culturally safe group supports, including talking circles, grief support circles, and cultural activities and teachings
• Community education on mental health and mental health resources and services

How to Access Health Services

To access our one-on-one Health Services, an intake is required. Intake can be completed from 1pm –4pm, Monday to Friday, by either coming in person to the VNFC or calling us at (250) 384-3211. Details about drop-in and group programming can be found on our Health calendar.

How to Reach Us

8:30am – 4:30pm Monday – Friday
Intake is required*

231 Regina Avenue
Victoria, BC
V8Z 1J6

Tel: (250) 384-3211
Email: intake@vnfc.ca

Director: Grey Showler
Coordinator: Christina Kante

*Intake is by phone (250) 384-3211 or in person between the hours of 1:00pm and 4:00pm Monday to Friday. All referrals must go through intake.

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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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The VNFC Elder Support worker is able to support Indigenous Elders by appointment, ranging from completing forms, registering for food security and referrals in house. The Elder Support helper can be reached by phone 250-384-3211 or email lisa.m@vnfc.ca.

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