Family Services Directory

Association of Family Serving Agencies (AFSA) is a network of organizations, groups and individuals serving families. All agencies listed are members of AFSA.

BC Families in Transition (formerly the Separation and Divorce Resource Centre) is one of three non-profit agencies in North America that offers professional counselling and legal support ofr people who are having problems in their relationships. Each year we help 10,000 adults, children, and youth through family changes, separations and divorces, remarriages and complex family situations. Whether you are wishing to separate or to remain together, call us at 386-4331 to discuss how we can help. Some evening appointments are available.

Beacon Community Services, a community-based non-profit social, employment and health services agency, serves the Saanich Peninsula, the Southern Gulf Islands and Saanich. Providing these services: child, youth and family services; a drop-in family resource centre; counselling; employment services for adults, youth and people with disabilities; home support; volunteer services and opportunities; community events; affordable, assisted living for seniors; referrals, information and resources; thrift shops in Sidney and Brentwood Bay. For Home Support information call  656-0134, for all other inquiries call 655-5309, or visit www.beaconcs.ca.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Victoria provides mentoring programs to children in schools and communities. Adult 'Bigs', and child 'Littles', build a friendship based on shared interests, respect, trust, and the magic of everyday moments shared with a friend. Everyone needs someone to laugh with, to share a dream with, and just to hang out. No special skills, money, or experience are needed to be a mentor to a child, just a willingness to spend time together, to listen, and to be a friend and advocate--in as little as one hour a week! The positive impact of mentorship lasts for a lifetime. Contact us at 475-1117, email main@bbbsvictoria.com or at our website www.bbbsvictoria.com.

Boys & Girls Club Services offer after-school and evening social, educational and recreational programming for youth 5 to 17 at three locations. We also offer support to parents of teens (Parents Together) and have a specialized program for children dealing with behaviour issues (SIGNS). For more information on all our programs visit our website at www.bgcvic.org. For general information on after-school and evening programs at our three Community Clubs please call 384-9133.

Capital Families Association is an inclusive organization that offers programs and services to families, youth, individuals and seniors in the West Shore community. Offering a parent-tot drop-in, daycare, preschool, youth programs, volunteer services, family and individual counseling as well as parent and young parent support. Located on 345 Wale Rd., for more information call (250) 391-4320 or visit www.capfamilies.org.

The Child Abuse Prevention & Counselling Society/Mary Manning Centre is the primary provider of therapy and victim support services for children and youth in Greater Victoria who experience sexual abuse or who may be at risk for sexual abuse. Therapy services include individual and group sessions for children and youth and groups sessions for parents. Victim services include intake and referral, accompaniment and support for children and youth being interviewed by police, and court preparation and support for those testifying as victims or witnesses in criminal cases. Contact: 385-6111 or admin@marymanning.com.

Community Living Victoria supports people with developmental disabilities and their families by providing residential services, day programs and community supports (supported employment, parenting and independent living). Our family and personal support program offers advocacy, conflict resolution, education, newsletters, workshops, support groups and a resource library. Please call 477-7231 ext. 33.

Community Options for Children & Families offers respite services for families with a child or adult family member with a disability. Caregivers are matched with individual families. We recruit caregivers on an ongoing basis. Community Options also supports families through its Family Support programs, such as parent connections, sibling workshops and parent support groups. 380-6363.

Esquimalt Neighbourhood House Society. Our Family Sercies offer family resource programs with a focus on early childhood development and learning, parenting education and pre and post-natal services. Our Counselling Services are free to adults and youth (12-18 years); adult and short term clinical counselling is offered for acute mental health problems. For more information call 385-2635 or visit 511 Constance Ave. in Esquimalt.

Inter-Cultural Association of Greater Victoria (ICA) is an immigrant and multicultural service agency and umbrella organization for ethno cultural associations in Victoria. Programs offered include cross-cultural counseling, Nobody's Perfect parenting programs (Child care available), family violence services, interpretation, translation, diversity workshops/training, ESL instruction, volunteering, and more. www.icavictoria.org. In July, ICA presents the Luminara Lantern Festival www.luminaravictoria.com. 930 Balmoral Rd, phone 388-4728.

Island Pastoral Services Association is a not-for-profit counselling agency that treats individuals, couples, families and groups for a wide range of issues including grief, depression, marital and family conflict, self-esteem, and abuse. We never turn away anyone needing help, regardless of their ability to pay. We are non-denominational and welcome clients of all faiths and cultural backgrounds. IPSA offers courses on grief recovery and marriage preparation and enrichment, plus counsellor training courses for pastoral care. Victoria Office: 3821A Cedar Hill X Rd, M-F, 9-5, 472-2851.

Learning Disabilities Association of BC, SVI Chapter, educates, supports and advocates for children and youth with learning disabilities and attention deficit disorder. Services include a public lending library, individual/group support for parents and children, professional/educational workshops for parents and professionals. Child and youth programs include: reading/writing and academic skill development tutoring, social skills and advocacy groups. 1524 Fort St. 370-9513. www.ldasvi.bc.ca.

Military Family Resource Centre (MFRC) provides programs and services to the military family community. Services include: 24 Hour Information Line, Deployment Information and Workshops, Short Term Intervention/Crisis Support, Welcome/Relocation Services, services for families with special needs and responsibilities, and Employment/Education Assistance. Exciting Volunteer opportunities available! Call the MFRC: 363-2640 (1-800-353-3329) for information. www.esquimaltmfrc.com.

NEED Crisis & Information Line and NEED's Youth Line provide confidential emotional support, crisis intervention, suicide prevention, access to emergency mental health services, and community resource information. 24 Hour Line is available 7 days a week: 386-6323. Youth Line is answered by trained volunteers aged 15-19 and is available 4-10 pm 7 days a week: 386-TALK (8255). Information about volunteering, www.needcrisis.bc.ca.

Parent Support Services offers respectful support and parenting tools for parents and caregivers no matter what their situation. Facilitated groups include Parent Support Circles, Aboriginal Parenting Circles, Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Support Circles, a Parents of Teens Circle, a Young Parents (under 21) support Circle, a Multicultural Support Circle, the Sooke Parent Support Circle, Parent Awareness Course, Effective Parenting Workshops, and other courses and events that give parents the opportunity to meet with other parents, get encouragement and support, and take the edge off their parenting. Circles are free with child minding and transportation assistance available. Opportunities for volunteers abound. Call 384-3042, email parent-support@shaw.ca or visit our website at www.parentsupport.ca.

Rainbows is a nonprofit society providing support groups for children who have suffered a significant loss in their lives by death, divorce or any other painful life transition. Rainbows is not counselling, we offer peer support with training facilitators to help children work through a 24 week program. Rainbows is offered without cost to participants and is community funded. For info call 479-0766.

The Single Parent Resource Centre provides support, education and resources for parents in the Greater Victoria area through free counselling, volunteer training for reception and peer helper positions, and a mentoring program for single moms. The Centre also offers over 20 integrated life skills and parenting education courses which are open to the whole community (fees are on a sliding scale). Child care assistance is available based on financil need. The Centre provides a bread pantry and free clothing for single parents. Donations of books, clothings, and toys (new or in good condition) are very welcome. Please enquire about clothing room and donation hours. Centre hours are 9-4 weekdays. Call 385-1114 or drop by 602 Gorge Rd East or visit us at www.singleparentvictoria.ca.

South Island Dispute Resolution Centre offers accessible and affordable mediation/coaching services to individuals, families, groups and businesses. Services range from improving skills, eg. effective communication, creating parent/teen plans through to divorce and separation issues. Subsidies available. Facilitation and workshops also available including Compass: An Introductory Course in Effective Conflict Management, Skills for the Workplace and PeaceMakers: Conflict Management Skills for Grades 4 to 8. www.disputeresolution.bc.ca, 383-4412.

Victoria Epilepsy & Parkinson's Centre supports families living with epilepsy by rpviding turtoring and one on one professional consultations to help your child to live up to their full potential. We offer epilepsy education workshops in private and public schools, and keep you up to date on the latest research about medications, lifestyle and safety for your child. Visit us at www.vepc.bc.ca to find out more, and to explore our bursaries for Camosun College. Calls are also welcome at 475-6677.