PROGRAMS
BASICS NEEDS PROGRAM
Through community donations, we do our best to provide basic need items such as: clothes, diapers, small household foods, school supplies, and personal care items. We also provide information and help with connecting to other community resources for basic life needs.
RESOURCE ROOM
The resource room is a woman-only safe space for people to connect with others, wait for their appointments, and to access information on community resources. Additionally there is a computer and telephone available to use, free clothing for women and children, coffee and snacks throughout the day.
INTAKE AND RESOURCE PLANNING
Our anonymous and confidential support services link women with resources in the community or at the Nanaimo Women’s Centre (NWC). Our client support workers are knowledgable and professional staff members who provide non-judgmental, non-therapeutic support to help individuals find their own answers to various life challenges through planning and resources.
TURNING THE KEY
This program provides tenancy support to individuals and families who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. Support includes outreach services for viewing rentals, mediation with landlords, assistance with housing applications and other related needs.
COMMUNITY OUTREACH RESOURCES AND EDUCATION
An outreach program providing emotional support and resources to sex workers who are active or exiting the sex trade.
HOMES TO HOMES
Providing household goods, furniture and starter kits to individuals or families in need of essential items for their new home.
STREETWISE DESIGNS
The group is for youth between ages 13 to 24. Participants can be self referred or referred by an agency. The groups are led and planned by the youth and include one workshop a week presented by the community partners and are designed to enhance life skills.
SENIORS WELL PROGRAM
The WELL program is a culturally safe set of services that promote principles of wellness health and community. The WELL program is committed to respectful and inclusive participation of seniors ages 55+, regardless of ethnicity, socioeconomic background, religion, or sexual orientation. Most workshops are available to seniors of all genders and some health and wellness programming is tailored specifically for those who identify as female.
COUNSELLING SERVICES
SEIA offers free private counselling services by professional volunteer counsellors by appointment. As the centre serves a high number of clients through the year a waitlist has been put in place for those wanting to sign up for the centre counselling. All clients wishing to be placed on the waitlist will be required to complete a counselling agreement.
In addition to the agreement, all clients will be limited to 12 free sessions.
LEGAL ADVOCACY PROGRAM
Experienced Legal Advocates assist individuals with Income Assistance and landlord-tenancy disputes. They help people to understand their legal rights and the decisions that affect their eligibility for government benefits. They draft legal arguments and assemble evidence to assist in appealing decisions and can represent clients at their Dispute Resolution Hearings for complicated cases.
GENERAL ADVOCACY PROGRAM
The General Advocacy program is focused on providing information, assistance with applications for disability, Canada Pension Plan and Canada Pension Plan disability as well as assistance with common forms, referral to other community agencies as needed, education, etc. This is a free program for people impacted by systemic barriers such as race, gender, sexual orientation, income , education, or family status.
CITIZEN’S WEEKEND OUTREACH PROGRAM
The Weekend Outreach Program was created in 2003 when staff identified a gap in programming available on the weekends for persons living with severe mental health and/or physical or learning disabilities. It provides opportunities for recreation and social connection, while offering respite to families. The program is funded by Community Living BC (CLBC) and run by an experienced CLBC programmer who takes participants on social outings and teaches life skills.
