Birthright Information Help Line

Birthright treats each woman as an individual who deserves love and respect, as well as personal attention to her unique situation. They offer information and referrals to help clients meet their emotional and material needs.

Birthright services are always free, absolutely confidential, and available to any woman regardless of age, race, religion, marital status, or financial situation.

Their services include: love, hope and encouragement; friendship and emotional support; non-judgmental and confidential help; free pregnancy tests and maternity and baby clothes. They offer referrals to: medical supports, financial and employment resources, housing, legal, education assistance, social assistance and professional counseling. Find information on pregnancy and childbirth, prenatal development and care, parenting skills, child-care, child safety, career development, continuing education, community programs, social assistance and adoption.

Phone Number: 1-800-550-4900

Website: http://www.birthright.org/

Crossroads Pregnancy Centre 

Crossroads Crisis Pregnancy Centre offers free pregnancy tests and options counseling, where a peer counselor can sit down with you and discuss the options available to you, along with the possible pros and cons to each option. Their peer counselors offer non-judgmental and confidential support during and after pregnancy, no matter which option you choose.

Their support does not end when your pregnancy does. They are here for you afterwards, no matter which option you choose! Examples of post-pregnancy support include: practical help, parenting classes, post-abortion counseling, and much more!

Phone Number: 250-716-1633 

Website: http://www.cpcnanaimo.com/

Crossroads Pregnancy Centre  (24 Hour Helpline / Appointment Line)

Phone Numbers:                                                        250-714-2191 or 1-866-714-2191

Gabriola Island HOPE Centre

The HOPE Centre is a family of special services created and managed to meet the needs of the people of Gabriola Island. The Hope Centre’s family of services is housed in two buildings: The Hope House and the Hope Centre. Each offer a variety of programs and services to children, youth and adults on Gabriola, programs and services whose aim is "hands on prevention and education,” offering islanders hope for a better tomorrow through qualified and professional services. These special services and resources are made available to families and individuals to support them in making healthy lifestyle choices.

Phone Number: 250-247-8730

Website: http://www.gabriolahopecentre.com 

HealthLink BC (24-hour Nurse Line)

Call 8-1-1 from anywhere in British Columbia to speak with a nurse any time of the day or night. On weekdays, you can speak to a dietitian about nutrition and healthy eating. At night, they have pharmacists available to answer your medication questions.

British Columbians have trusted health information at their fingertips by phone or web with HealthLink BC. 

Phone Number: 811

Website: http://www.healthlinkbc.ca 

Inter Tribal Health Authority

The Inter Tribal Health Authority is a leader in providing quality health programs and services, inclusive of cultural and traditional values; collaborating with Member Nations by empowering and supporting First Nations people in community development, effective partnerships and advocacy ensuring equality in health standards, funding and innovation.

Website: http://www.itha.ca/inside-programs_services/clinicals-nursing/maternal_child_health.html

Inter Tribal Health Authority (Maternal Child Health Program)

The Maternal Child Health Program (MCH) works with families in First Nations communities who are pregnant or parenting children under the age of seven (7). Currently the MCH Program works in Homalco, Penelakut, Snaw-naw-as and Tseycum.

Website: http://www.itha.ca/inside-programs_services/clinicals-nursing/maternal_child_health.html

Ladysmith Community Health Centre

The Ladysmith Community Health Centre, formerly the Ladysmith Hospital, is a Primary Health Care Centre designed to provide a range of health and community services in one central location.

The goal of the Centre is to provide integrated and collaborative team-care to patients by the appropriate provider in the appropriate setting in an appropriate time and in an appropriate type and format of intervention for their needs.

Phone Number: 250-739-5777 

Website: http://www.viha.ca 

Adventures in Early Literacy
Adventures in Early Literacy sprung out of the Mother Goose program. Many parents and caregivers took notice of the benefits of the Mother Goose program and wanted a program that met the needs of preschool aged children and that continued to promote socialization and early literacy skills for children.
Each week is based on a different children’s story with age appropriate crafts, games, snacks & songs. During the session of the program, parents sit in a circle on the floor with their children, and are actively involved during craft and snack time in the kitchen. They begin with songs, then read a book, have a game, do crafts, have a snack, and end with songs once more.

Born Healthy Prenatal Program                                                                              Born Healthy provides education and support for pregnant women and new mothers. Particular emphasis is on developing a healthy lifestyle in order to have the healthiest baby possible. Born Healthy provides nutrition education (including prenatal nutrition, breastfeeding and infant feeding), counseling, mental health education, parenting information and promotes of self-care practices. Born Healthy provides food vouchers, prenatal vitamins and bus tickets for those who need financial assistance. Social support is an important part of Born Healthy.

Every Wednesday we have a drop-in time from 10:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. The morning includes a discussion topic, guest speaker or activity, we then serve lunch, which is free to all participants, and a Public Health Nurse visits for information sharing, checking baby weights, and is available for questions. These drop-in times help make meeting new people possible and are a chance to share your parenting experiences.

Ladysmith Dads' Drop-in Program
This is a drop-in event for new dads and their kids that takes place on Saturday mornings from 10 a.m. to 12 noon. A breakfast is served from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m.; activities and discussion follow from 11-12 noon. It offers new dads a chance to practice new ways of relating to their children, to meet other new dads, and to share information about fathering and parenting in a very low-pressure format.

Mother Goose
The Mother Goose program has three sessions per year with ten classes per session, winter, spring and fall.  The sessions are an hour and a half long.  The Toddler (15 months to 2.5 years) Program begins at 9:45 am and the Infant ( 0 to 15 months) Program begins at 12:45 pm.  Classes take place on Thursdays at 630 2nd Avenue.  Snacks and refreshments are supplied.  There is a suggested donation of $15 to help keep program costs to a minimum and allows us to continue offering it in the community.  Space is limited and registration is required. 

Phone Number: 250-245-3079 

Website: http://www.lrca.bc.ca 

Midwives

The MABC educates the public about midwifery care while supporting the growing number of midwives across the province. Registered Midwives are a funded part of the health care system in BC and are experts in normal birth. With extensive training that focuses on pregnancy, birth and the postpartum for both mom and baby, midwives are a safe and recognized choice for maternity care in BC, across Canada and around the world.

Website: http://www.bcmidwives.com 

Nanoose First Nation Head Start Program

The BC First Nations Head Start (BCFNHS) On-Reserve Program is a program funded by First Nations Health Authority to enhance early childhood development, school readiness and overall family health and wellness for First Nations preschool children (birth to six years old) on reserve.

All Head Start programs include six key components: culture and language, education, health promotion, nutrition, parent and family involvement, and social support.

Phone Number: 250-390-0003 

Website: http://www.bcfnhs.org 

Options for Sexual Health

At Opt, they care about the healthy sexuality of all British Columbians. They offer sexual and reproductive health care, information, and education from a feminist, pro-choice, sex positive perspective.

If you want reliable sexual health services and support provided non-judgmentally and confidentially, you've come to the right place. If you want comprehensive, unbiased information on all your reproductive choices talk to them. If you've got questions they'll help you get the answers — it's not weird to ask.

Phone Number: 250-753-9511 

Website: http://www.optionsforsexualhealth.org 

Public Health Nursing

Public Health Nursing provides health promotion, disease prevention, intervention and support services to women, children, youth and families living across the Island Health region. Services are provided to individuals, families, groups and communities in homes, schools, health units and community settings.

Website: http://www.viha.ca 

Nanaimo Health Centre

Located at 1665 Grant Avenue Nanaimo, BC  V9S 5K7

Phone Number:

Fax 250.755.3369

Website:http://www.viha.ca 

Nanaimo/Ladysmith Nursing Intake Line

Phone Number: 250-755-3388

Website: http://www.viha.ca

Princess Royal Family Centre (Public Health)

Located at 260 Irwin Street Nanaimo, BC  V9R 4X5

Phone Number: 250-739-5845 

Website: http://www.viha.ca

Snuneymuxw Health Centre

The Health Department objective is to support adults, elders, children, and families who live on reserve by providing preventative services and advocacy. The primary work of the Health Centre focuses on Children and Youth, Mental Health and Addictions, Primary Health Care, Chronic Illness Prevention, Communicable Disease Control, and Environmental Health and Management

Phone Number: 250-740-2337 

Website: http://www.snuneymuxw.ca 

Stz’uminus Health Centre

The Stz’uminus Health Centre provides programs and services to maintain and improve the overall health and well-being of the Stz’uminus band and community members.  This includes physical health as well as mental and social health.  Their services are designed to cover prenatal clients to Elders, with  programs consisting of community health, mental health and home care. The doors are generally open between 9am and 4 pm Monday to Friday.  Feel free to come in any time to enquire about our programs and services.

Phone Number: 250-245-8551 

Website: http://www.cfnation.com

Tilicum Haus Aboriginal Friendship Centre

Offers educational and training programs, health and counselling services and social services programs as well as a wide variety of support groups and special events and activities for children, youth, women, men, families and the community. 

Health Programs: 

- Community Health Program (nurses, medical insurance not required) 

- STD and HIV/AIDS Testing and Support 

- Diabetic Support 

- Aboriginal Hospital Liaison Worker 

Phone Number: 250-753-6578 

Website: http://www.tillicumlelum.ca