1755 13th Street, Courtenay , V9N 7B6
Phone: 250-334-3777
Fax: 250-334-2528
Email: hfhvin@gmail.com
Website: www.habitatnorthisland.com

Contact: Deb Roth -

Habitat for Humanity is an independent, non-profit, faith-based housing program dedicated to the elimination of poverty housing by building homes in partnership with families in need, local businesses and a host of volunteers.

Programs & Services

• The purpose of Habitat is to provide simple, decent, affordable housing to those who would not qualify for a conventional mortgage. The Habitat program is about home ownership, designed to break the poverty cycle.

ReStore Hours: Monday through Saturday 9am – 5pm

Phone: 250-334-3784

• The ReStore is a retail outlet operated by Habitat for Humanity, which recycles used building materials including plumbing and electrical fixtures, kitchen and bathroom cabinets, overstocked and discontinued materials.  These salvageable materials are suitable for home construction, renovations and repairs as well as furnishings and appliances.

Last updated: 2015-01-27      Print Listing     

Comox Valley Transit System
Box 100, Lazo , V0R 2K0
Phone: 250-339-5442
Fax: 250-339-2797

Hours: Monday to Friday 8am – 4pm

            Individuals must pre-register in order to use the service.  Minimum requirement is 48      hours notice.

Fee: $2.25

Programs & Services

• A transportation service within Courtenay, Comox and Cumberland for individuals who are incapable of using public transit due to mental or physical disability

Last updated: 2015-01-27      Print Listing     

Phone: 250-756-2452
Fax: 250-756- 2414
Toll Free: 24 Hour Crisis Line: 1-888-756-0616
Email: haven@havensociety.com
Website: www.havensociety.com


Programs & Services

• Transition House: Provides temporary shelter, crisis support & information for women & children who have experienced violence & are seeking safety while exploring their options.
• Community Based Victim Services: Nanaimo & Oceanside: Provides justice-related support services, information & emotional support for individuals &/or families who are survivors of abuse & violence, including sexual assault. Engages in the identification of risk factors & the development of safety plans.
• Outreach: Provides non-judgemental support to marginalized women in the community who are at risk of violence and homelessness.  Based on harm reduction, meeting immediate needs & promoting healthy choices.
• Women’s Counselling: For women who have been impacted by physical, sexual &/or psychological violence their lives.  A range of services are available from intake to crisis support and longer term healing work through groups and individual counselling.
• Children & Youth Who Witness Abuse: An intervention/prevention program created by the BC Society of Transition Houses to address the needs of children and youth 3-18 who have been exposed to violence at home. The goal of the program is to interrupt/break the cycle of inter-generational abuse. Provided individually and in groups. 

Last updated: 2014-09-02      Print Listing     

102 - 254 Simms Street, Courtenay, V9N 5W1
Phone: 250-334-9225
Fax: 250-334-9269
Email: ed.cvhis@gmail.com
Website: www.cvhis.org
Hours: Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday 9:00am - 4:00pm


Programs & Services

The Comox Valley Head Injury Society (CVHIS) provides support services to brain injury survivors and their caregivers.  Through our services, CVHIS works to enhance the health and well-being of our members and reduce incidences brain injury in our community through prevention-based education.

 

CVHIS’s programs and services include:

• Case coordination and member referrals to community services
• One to one supports, including support with documentation processing
• Support groups for survivors and caregivers
• Organized recreational activities
• Drop-in food programs
• Advocacy
• Brain injury education and prevention
• Annual brain injury conference
• Seniors Caregiving  Counselling Program
• Family Counselling 

Last updated: 2015-05-14      Print Listing     

Toll Free: 811
Website: www.seniorsbc.ca or www.healthlinkbc.ca
Hours: 24 hours per day, 7 days per week, 365 days per year


Programs & Services

• The Health and Seniors Information Line provides a one-stop location to obtain both health and non-health related federal and provincial government programs and services for British Columbian seniors.  The Health and Seniors Information Line also provides BC residents with information about health services, the health care system and interpretation of a wide variety of health media releases, legislation, policies, programs and services.

Last updated: 2014-09-02      Print Listing     

Phone: 8-1-1
Email: HealthLinkBC@gov.bc.ca
Website: www.HealthLinkBC.ca

HealthLink BC provides free 24/7 access to non-emergency health information and advice in British Columbia via telephone, a website, a mobile app, and a collection of print resources, including the BC HealthGuide Handbook.

Programs & Services

8-1-1: easy-to-remember number for all BC residents to access non-emergency health information, advice and navigation services. Residents of British Columbia can call 8-1-1 (7-1-1 for hearing impaired) from anywhere in the province to speak to a registered nurse 24/7, dietitian (available 8am to 8pm, Monday to Thursday, and 8am to 5pm on Friday), pharmacist (available 5pm to 9am daily), or to find a health resource in their area. Translation services are available in more than 130 languages upon request.

• HealthLinkBC.ca: a comprehensive public website that provides medically-approved information on more than 5,000 health topics, symptoms and over-the-counter and prescription drugs and offers tips for maintaining a healthy lifestyle. It also offers an integrated search and mapping function to more than 6,100 health services to help British Columbians find health services close to their home communities.
• BC Health Service Locator App: a mobile app for Apple handheld devices that helps citizens locate the types of health services they may need when they are on the go. The app provides a subset of the information available in HealthLinkBC.ca’s Online Resource Directory.
• The BC HealthGuide Handbook: a self-care manual that provides medically-reviewed information on health topics including disease prevention, home treatment, emergencies, healthy lifestyle choices and advice on when to seek a higher level of care. The BC HealthGuide Handbook can be ordered free of charge to residents of B.C. using HealthLinkBC’s online Resource Order Form.
• The HealthLinkBC Files: easy to read fact sheets on public health and safety topics including common illnesses, vaccinations, environmental health concerns and health tips. The HealthLinkBC Files are available as downloadable PDFs at www.HealthLinkBC.ca. All HealthLinkBC Files are available in English, with most topics translated into other languages including Chinese, Farsi, French, Punjabi, Spanish and Vietnamese.

 

Last updated: 2014-09-02      Print Listing     

Ministry of Social Development and Social Innovation
9950 Stn Prov Govt, Victoria, V8W 9R6
Toll Free: 1-866-866-0800 Press 4 and then 2

The Healthy Kids Program helps low income families with the costs associated with basic dental care and prescription eyewear for their children.  Eligible clients include dependent children under 19 years of age, who receive Medical Services Plan (MSP) premium assistance through the Ministry of Health Services.

Once a family has been approved for premium assistance by MSP, their dependent children will automatically be registered with the Healthy Kids Program at the beginning of the following month.  For information on how to apply for premium assistance, contact MSP directly at 1-800-663-7100

Programs & Services

The Healthy Kids Program covers:

• Dental: children are eligible for $1,400.00 of basic dental services every two years.  This coverage includes services such as exams, x-rays, fillings, cleanings and extractions.  Emergency dental treatment is also available, when required, for the immediate relief of pain if the child’s annual limit has been reached.            
• Optical: children are eligible for prescription eyeglasses (lenses and basic frames) once in a twelve-month period.  All prescriptions must be current and meet the program criteria. There are limitations to the total amount covered in a year.  The Healthy Kids Program does not cover orthodontic treatment and/or contact lenses.
• Important:  before any treatment begins, confirm that  your dental or optical provider offers services under the BC Healthy Kids Program. 

Last updated: 2014-09-02      Print Listing     

401 – 495 Dunsmuir Street, Nanaimo, V9R 6B9
Phone: 250-754-5274
Fax: 250-754-5275
Toll Free: 1-888-754-5274
Email: mbenvin@hsf.bc.ca
Website: www.heartandstroke.bc.ca
Hours: Monday to Friday 8:30am – 4:30pm

Prevent disease

• Empower Canadians to live healthy lives

Save lives

• Enable faster, better stroke response and treatment

Promote recovery

• Enhance support for survivors, families and caregivers

Programs & Services

• Please call the office toll free number or check our website

Last updated: 2015-01-27      Print Listing     

Unit D 4085 Quadra Street, Victoria, V8X 1K5
Phone: 250-382-3135
Fax: 250-382-2711
Toll Free: 1-866-382-2711
Email: info@helpfilladream.com
Website: www.helpfilladream.com
Hours: Monday to Thursday 9am – 1pm

Inspiring hope for Vancouver Island’s children with life-threatening conditions since 1986.

Programs & Services

Help Fill A Dream provides financial aid to families to ease the burden created by unexpected expenses (such as transportation, accommodation and meals) as a result of a child’s illness; provides focused funding to improve a child’s mobility, health and well-being; and makes Dreams come true. Dreams come in all shapes and sizes. A child’s dream may be a trip to Disneyland or to meet their favourite celebrity or sports figure; while for their parents, the dream may simply be to spend time with their child as they undergo medical treatment or to make life more comfortable when they come home.

Last updated: 2014-09-02      Print Listing     

Ministry of Children & Family Development
Phone: 250-334-5820 Monday – Friday 8:30 – 4:30
Toll Free: TDD: 1-866-660-0505 After Hours Line: 1-800-663-9122 / 310-1234
310-1234 (24 hours, no area code needed)
Website: www.safekidsbc.ca or www.gov.bc.ca/mcf/

All children are entitled to: protection from abuse, protection from neglect, protection from harm and protection from the threat of harm.

Programs & Services

• Helpline for Children: 310-1234 (no area code required) when it concerns abuse, anyone can call the Helpline for Children – 24 hours
• Child Abuse: a child is anyone under the age of 19. Abuse can be physical, emotional or sexual. Abuse can be abandonment, desertion, neglect, ill-treatment, or failure to meet the physical, emotional or medical needs of a child. Abuse can be stopped.
• Parents who are afraid they might hurt their child can call for help
• Community Members: if you know a family where a child is being abused, call the Helpline. You can remain anonymous.
• You Are Responsible: if you are aware of a possible case of child abuse, you are required by provincial law to contact the Ministry of Children and Family Development.  As long as your report is made in good faith, you are not liable for any loss or damage.

For more information, contact the Ministry of Children and Family Development office at

250-334-5820. Toll-free 1-866-823-5377.

Last updated: 2014-09-19      Print Listing     

Vancouver Island Health Authority
941A England Avenue, Courtenay, V9N 2N7
Phone: 250-331-8522
Fax: 250-331-8523
Hours: Monday to Friday 8:30am – 4:30pm


Programs & Services

• Nursing
• Physiotherapy and occupational therapy
• Nutrition
• Social work
• Case management
• Home support
• End of life care
• Adult day programs
• Community clinics
• Assisted living
• Access to residential care facilities
• Short term residential care for caregiver relief
• Hospice care
• Meals on Wheels

Last updated: 2014-09-02      Print Listing     

1965 Sollans Rd, Hornby Island , V0R 1Z0
Phone: 250-335-2885
Fax: 250-335-2883
250-335-9112
Email: hdhealth@uniserve.com
Website: www.hornbydenmanhealth.com


Programs & Services

Home Support and Home Assist Services

Contact:  Karen Etheridge, RN (Supervisor) at 250-898-0243

• Home Support and Home Assist services enable ill or disabled persons to remain at home, reduce the length of stay in hospital, provide physical and psychological support and help keep families together. We can help with personal care, meal preparation, family support and home care equipment loans.
• Anyone can purchase Home Assist services at an hourly rate. However, the majority of our clients are eligible for full or partial coverage by the Vancouver Island Health Authority Home Support or other agencies.
• Contact your family doctor, VIHA Home & Community Care (250-331-8570), Social worker or call us for more information.

Hospice

• Volunteers are available to provide hospice, palliative care and grief support.

Home Care Equipment Loan

• Short-term loans of home care equipment are free of charge to residents of both islands. Our inventory includes canes, crutches, walkers, wheelchairs, hospital beds, commodes, bedpans and urinals, bath benches and more.

Children, Youth and Family Counselling & Support

Contact: Mike Nestor (Mental Health Counsellor) at 250-898-0247

• Provides free confidential help for Denman and Hornby families, teens and children. We offer one-on-one and family counselling as well as parent education and support groups. Issues may include helping manage family challenges and conflicts, increasing communication or problem solving skills and addressing childhood emotional or behavioural concerns. We also provide public education around island challenges as well as offer a comprehensive referral service to a wide variety of community
•  resources for islanders.

Youth Outreach & Support Services

Contact: Lanna or Matta (Youth & Family Outreach & Support workers) at 250-218-6521

• Works from a harm reduction model. Provides free youth support and advocacy, information and education on alcohol/drug use, Party Safe information, community education, sexual health information, healthy relationships and awareness on sexual exploitation issues. Supports youth who are struggling with school or relationship challenges and connects youth to community resources and healthy activities.

Adult Counselling Services

Community Mental Health (VIHA)

Contact: Clinician at 250-331-8524

• Confidential counselling is available for individuals coping with stress, depression, grief, addictions (referrals provided), interpersonal conflict and other mental health concerns. The Clinician may also help facilitate access to information, diagnosis, referrals, rehab services, self-help / support groups and other services. Provided at our offices by Mental Health & Addictions Services, VIHA.

Community Self-Help and Support Groups

• A number of community groups use the offices on both islands for meetings and workshops. These include AA/NA, Over–Eaters Anonymous, mediation, elder housing, Women’s Transition Society and Community Victim’s Services (RCMP based).

For more information, call 250-335-2885

Lending Library

• Pamphlets, books and audio and video tapes on parenting, health and self-help are available free or on loan at both offices.

Last updated: 2014-09-02      Print Listing     

2137 Comox Avenue, Comox, V9M 1P2
Phone: 250-339-5533
Fax: 250-339-5063
After Hours: 250-334-7475
Email: reception@comoxhospice.com
Website: www.comoxhospice.com
Hours: Monday to Friday 9am – 3pm


Programs & Services

Palliative Care Services

• People seeking services and support may self refer or be referred by a health care professional.  An initial assessment is done and referral is made to the appropriate service.  This may include anticipatory grief counsellors or trained hospice volunteers who provide emotional support, companionship and respite to individuals living with a life limiting, life ending illness and/or families caring for a dying family member, whether at home, in hospital or care facility.  Information about palliative care resources is available through an extensive lending library and referrals to related care agencies can be made.

Bereavement Care Program

• People seeking services and support may self refer or be referred by a health care professional. An initial assessment is done and referral is made to the appropriate service.  Individual counselling and support groups are available for those coping with grief due to the loss of a loved one.

Grief support groups offered as needed including:

• Bereaved Parents
• Widow & Widowers Group
• Walking Group for Grievers
• Healing From Loss

Community Education

• The staff and Members of the Board welcome opportunities to speak with community groups about Hospice Palliative Care.  The Society hosts several events each year to inform the public about end-of-life issues.

Self Care Clinic:

• The Self Care Clinic is a drop in program offered at no cost to those who are palliative, their loved ones, the bereaved and to staff and volunteers. Clients receive a variety of hands on treatment to promote relaxation including Healing Touch and Reiki.

Volunteer Training

• A 30-hour course on hospice palliative care and the volunteer role is required for those interested in working directly with clients.
• An advanced bereavement training program is offered for those who are interested and have the necessary skills.

Last updated: 2014-09-02      Print Listing     

1170 – 605 Robson Street, , Vancouver, V6B 5J3
Phone: 604-775-2000
Fax: 604-775-2020
Toll Free: 1-888-440-8844
TTY: 604-775-2021
Email: BCHumanRightsTribunal@gov.bc.ca
Website: www.bchrt.bc.ca


Programs & Services

The B.C. Human Rights Tribunal is an independent, quasi-judicial body created by the B.C. Human Rights Code. The Tribunal is responsible for accepting, screening, mediating and adjudicating human rights complaints. The Tribunal offers the parties to a complaint the opportunity to try to resolve the complaint through mediation. If the parties don't resolve the complaint, the Tribunal holds a hearing.

 

The Tribunal deals with human rights complaints that arise in British Columbia and are covered by the Human Rights Code. The Tribunal cannot deal with any other type of discrimination. For more information about the Tribunal, see the Tribunal's Guide 1 - The BC Human Rights Code and Tribunal. 

Last updated: 2014-09-02      Print Listing