Indigenous child care center officially opens in Colwood

BC’s first “trauma-informed” daycare center with an Indigenous focus recently officially opened in Colwood.

The Hulitan Early Childhood Years Centre, which has been operating since last month, provides free childcare to Indigenous children in the South Island.

Run by the Hulitan Family and Community Services Society, the center has 48 childcare places, 24 for babies and toddlers and 24 for three to five year olds.

Kendra Gage, director of the center, said not all children attending will have dealt with trauma, but “trauma-informed” means staff realize they all have different needs.

Staff are trained to watch for behavior or emotional triggers in children that could be related to some form of trauma, and the ratio of staff to children is higher than normal.

Therapists are also available.

“In some ways, (trauma-informed) to me means we’re not going to do any further harm, or we’re not going to cause harm,” Gage said. “The most important thing is that they come to a place where they feel safe.”

The center also houses the Journeys of the Heart program – a cultural program for two to five year olds and their caregivers that was previously held at various school locations.

“Now Journeys of the Heart has a home,” Gage said.

Built with $5.1 million in funding from the Ministry of Education and Child Care, the center is located on land that was formerly a field at neighboring Colwood Elementary School.

The Sooke School District will lease the land to the center for $1 a year for the next 15 years, which Gage said means more money can go directly to services for the children.

United Way Southern Vancouver Island raised money for the center and the Telus Vancouver Island Community Council gave it a $50,000 grant.

• Donations to the center can be made at uwsvi.ca/hulitan-family-services-trauma-informed-daycare/.

Taylor Swift tickets are up for grabs during the gala

Two tickets to Taylor Swift’s sold-out show in Vancouver on December 6 have been donated to the Saanich Peninsula Hospital and Healthcare Foundation, and will be the featured item in the upcoming Spirit Gala Silent Auction.

The tickets were donated by PavCo and the BC Place Community Benefit Program.

The silent auction will go live online Monday, with bids being accepted through Saturday, when the sold-out Spirit Gala will be held at the Mary Winspear Center – celebrating the Saanich Peninsula Hospital’s 50th anniversary.

The gala and silent auction will raise money for the renovation of the hospital’s acute care unit.

“We were all surprised when we received the news about the ticket donation,” said Heather Edward, CEO of the foundation. “It’s an incredible opportunity for our small community to benefit from such a global event. We’re especially pleased that our silent auction is online, meaning anyone can bid on the tickets; they do not have to be at the gala to participate.”

The tickets are among more than 100 donated lots in the silent auction, which includes other concerts, as well as outings, gift baskets, art and jewelry.

• The link to the silent auction will be available on Monday at sphf.ca/spirit-gala-2024/.

Ria Mae is the headliner of Community Living Victoria

Singer/songwriter and three-time Juno nominee Ria Mae will take the stage at the McPherson Playhouse in a return performance for Community Living Victoria at the 15th Concert for Hope. Staff. At home.

The concert will take place on November 15 at 7:30 PM

“Community Living Victoria is transforming people’s lives and providing people with intellectual disabilities and their families with the tools and skills they need to live full and vibrant lives,” Mae said. “I am excited to return to Victoria to celebrate them and help Community Living Victoria achieve their goals.”

Community Living Victoria executive director Mike Jensen said Mae’s first performance at the 2019 concert was a great success and the organization is happy to have her back.

A group of parents founded what would become Community Living Victoria in 1955.

• For more information and tickets, visitcommunitylivingvictoria.ca/events/a-concert-for-hope-help-home-featuring-ria-mae/

Help Central Saanich plan parks and trails

The District of Central Saanich is seeking community input on the draft Parks and Trails Master Plan, which will help guide the municipality’s parks and trails network over the next 10 to 20 years.

“One of the best things about Central Saanich is its natural beauty and we are fortunate to be able to enjoy it through municipal parks and trails,” said Central Saanich Mayor Ryan Windsor. “We look forward to hearing what the community wants to see prioritized for future improvements.”

The draft plan will build on public feedback last fall, when work began updating the existing plan for the first time since 1996.

It will also include input received through the review of the Official Community Plan, Active Transportation Plan, Saanichton Village Design Plan and other initiatives.

There will be a virtual open house on Tuesday from 6 to 7 p.m., for which registration is required letstalkcentralsaanich.ca/parksandtrailswhile an investigation is open until November 29 surveymonkey.com/r/csparksandtrails.

Completing the survey can take up to 20 minutes

The district said it is seeking to balance recreational, environmental and accessibility needs.

Suggestions so far include expanding and improving walking and cycling paths and access points to the coastline, and creating more playgrounds, sports facilities and picnic areas.

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