Victoria Native Friendship Centre

Provides information, education and assistance to improve and or maintain individuals and families health. Offers assistance with accessing provincial and federal health services, medical transportation, as well as advocating within the hospital and health system on your behalf.

Provides family-centered services for young children who are at risk for, or who have a delay in development, or with a diagnosed disability.

Programs include developmental assessments and written reports, therapy referrals, home visits, planning activities with parents that encourage child development, parenting information, and access to a toy and book lending library.

Provides support to families of children and youth with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) or other complex developmental behavioural conditions. Families are provided with education and information specific to the needs of the child and family.

Key workers provide emotional and practical support, and help with accessing community resources, peer support, health and education services.

Provides a number of one-on-one mental health services, in the home and the community, including advocacy and referrals. Services are available to all people, in the home or community, and can also include community awareness on mental health, materials for education on mental health, and advocacy in dealing with representatives in the mental health system.

Offers individual outpatient addictions counselling for adults for First Nations. The service works with individuals based on their identified needs, in harm-reduction or recovery. Approach is holistic, and recognizes the significance of spiritual, cultural, and psychological care. Individuals access this service by self-referral through Victoria Native Friendship Centre Intake.

Provides a drop-in support group for all parents with young. A public health nurse is available to answer any questions or parenting concerns. A female Elder is available for guidance and support. Dietitian available.

Promotes positive health practices that contribute to the health of newborns and mothers in the urban aboriginal community. Services include free food and vitamin supplements; bus tickets and lunch; prenatal classes taught by a public health nurse, including a tour of the Victoria General Hospital; nutritional information from a dietician; free pregnancy tests.

Provides culturally safe and integrated primary healthcare to people in the Greater Victoria area who identify as Indigenous. Offers ongoing care such as general checkups, chronic disease management, reproductive and sexual health, disease prevention, mental health and wellness, children's health and cultural services including access to Elders and traditional knowledge keepers. Care is provided to patients who are attached to a family doctor or nurse practitioner at the clinic.

Provides culturally-based assessment and therapy to help children with speech and language concerns develop their listening, communication and language skills. Services include individual therapy, family support, and coordination of services with community agencies.

Offers information and guidance to families of Aboriginal children with a developmental delay or disability who need support with their child's participation in child care programs.

The program may include home visits, activity planning, developmental screenings and assessments, individual planning, and extra staffing support if needed in child care programs.

Provides youth and family counselling to support youth. Strengthens youth's relationships and connections with family and community. Promotes healthy lifestyle choices for youth and their families.

Provides a variety of culturally sensitive programs for Indigenous Youth in the Greater Victoria area. Services include educational workshops, programs, drop-in activities and events to promote holistic wellness.

One-on-one support services with a youth support and addictions worker is also available to provide help with finding food and housing, life-skills development, referrals to community resources, and navigating various government and health care system.