Tillicum Lelum Aboriginal Friendship Centre

Provides advocacy, counselling and support services to Aboriginal children, adults and elders during their hospital stay in the Nanaimo Regional General Hospital. Offers scheduled visits or assistance with understanding medical information.

Provides a drop-in support group for Aboriginal people who are in recovery from substance abuse. Topic areas include relationships, self-esteem, boundaries, communication, co-dependency and anger management.

Provides individual and group therapy to on and off reserve children who may be a risk of sexual abuse. Conducts workshops in the Vancouver Island region to address abuse and trauma among Aboriginal children.

Offers a drop-in program where families with young children can enjoy child-led activities with other families and caregivers. The program provides a safe and supportive environment where families can learn life skills, support one another, and participate in cultural and family activities.

Provides awareness of diabetes as a major health problem and promotes a healthy lifestyle including healthy eating and activity as ways to prevent Type 2 diabetes. Uses existing programs and services as opportunities to discuss diabetes, and provides services to people living with diabetes and their families. Services include Elders Peer Support Circle, Diabetes Cooking Group, Activity Programs and Education sessions. Transportation, child minding and lunch are provided for participants.

Provides family counselling and advocacy support to Aboriginal families and their children. Under the program, individuals and their families work to enhance new ways to understand themselves and explore ways to build on their parenting skills.

Provides holistic counselling, prevention, education, treatment, and support services to individuals with communicable diseases.

Services include testing, counselling and follow-up for HIV/AIDS, hepatitis C, sexually transmitted disease, and pregnancy. Also offers pap smears, emergency contraception, vaccinations, harm reduction supplies, and need exchange.

Provides individual and group counselling to male survivors of sexual and physical abuse. As part of the counselling, offers emotional support, advocacy, and court preparation to victims. For men of any culture, although the program incorporates Aboriginal culture and beliefs.

Provides education and support to help improve the health of pregnant women who face challenges that put their health and the development of their baby at risk.

The program includes one-on-one and group support, immunizations, food and prenatal vitamins, prenatal classes, doula support, and information on infant care and child development.

Offers prenatal classes for participants to meet other families expecting babies, and learn about healthy choices for pregnancy, birth and bringing home babies. Topics include preparation and options for labour and delivery, doula support, comfort measures, breastfeeding, and early infant development. Also offers food vouchers and vitamins for new moms, transportation assistance and child minding.

Provides substance use services aimed at educating and supporting individuals who are in all stages of addiction and healing. Services include counselling and holistic intervention.