On this page you will find a summary of community resources and supports. This page is updated regularly. Know of a community resource that is missing or needs updating? Please email Brenda Weatherston.
| Community Links & Hubs | Older Adults/ Seniors |
| Youth | Food Support |
| Arts and Culture | |
| Immigrant, Refugee and Newcomer Support | Community Associations Providing Local COVID-19 Information and Supports |
Community Links & Hubs
This section provides links to websites serving as directories to services or "hubs" for community suppot.
Community Connect
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Compiled list by local people and organizations of resources and support in the CRD. Learn more
Community Resources during COVID-19 Pandemic
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Offers a good listing of Health and Wellbeing supports created by School District 62. Some resources focus on Westshore, but most are applicable to the entire region. Learn more
COVID-19 Coming Together Facebook Group
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Open group to make offers of assistance or requests for help. Learn more
Pandemic Community Resources
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Compiled by the Quadra Village Community Centre. Learn more
Volunteer Victoria
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Regional hub for volunteer opportunities and useful resources during COVID-19. Learn more
Older Adults/Seniors
BC211 - Safe Seniors, Strong Communities Program
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Provincial Program matching seniors to supoorts for non-medical essentials (ie. grocery shopping) and community volunteers. Call 2-1-1 or visit online
First Link® Dementia Helpline
- First Link Dementia Helpline is for anyone affected by dementia, whether professionally or personally.
- Available Monday to Friday from 9:00am to 8:00pm to provide support, information and resources.
- English: 1-800-936-6033 Monday - Friday 9:00am - 8:00pm
- Cantonese and Mandarin: 1-833-674-5007 Monday - Friday 9:00am - 4:00pm
- Punjabi: 1-833-674-5003 Monday - Friday 9:00am - 4:00pm
Senior Community Outreach Project During COVID-19
- A Project of Silver Threads Service and James Bay New Horizons, Outreach line monitored Tuesday to Thursday 8:30am - 4:00pm.
- Seniors can leave a message with their name, phone number and request for help. Learn more
Saanich Volunteer Services
- Working with Better At Home, SVSS is covering seniors in Saanich with grocery shopping and delivery, prescription pickup/drop-off and check-in phone or virtual calls. They are also continuing their food bank food hamper delivery service for seniors. More volunteers are welcome. Phone 250-595-8008
Youth
Youth Empowerment Society
- Individual Counselling Programs which includes Life Skills, Supported Independent Living (SIL), Outreach and Youth and Family Support Services (YFSS)
- Contact: Julie-ann Hunter, Programs Manager
Discovery Youth and Family Substance Use Services
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Still operating and taking referrals for services. Currently not running groups, but are meeting clients by phone, or where able, by video. Learn more
Stigma-Free Society
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COVID-19 Wellness Toolkit - Lots of tools to support youth mental health including stigma-free stories, resources, activities and live events. Learn more
New Roots (Human-Nature Counseling)
- New Roots is a nature-based wellness program for youth ages 13-17 looking to develop healthy strategies to cope with stress and anxiety - and seeking help to navigate these uncertain times
- Mondays and Wednesday 3:00 - 4:30pm. Starts April 20 using Zoom. Email for more information
- Cost: Free or by donation
Quadra Village - Virtual Youth Programs
- Feeling isolated? Stay connected with youth staff and other youth in virutal drop in spaces. Daily virtual emotional support and outreach via text, phone, Facetime, Messenger, Instagram and Zoom
- Email Tara for times and more information
Inter-Cultural Associatoin of Greater Victoria
- Youth and Family Services Team provides settlement support to newcomer immigrants and refugee youth and families. Staff can provide virtual support through phone, text, email, Instagram and Facebook
- Contact: Nabeela Ramji, Settlement Youth Worker. Phone 778-677-7146 or click here for more information
Sanctuary Youth Center
- Showers, laundry, internet use, clothing. Open Saturday - Sunday 3:00pm-6:00pm. 787 Humboldt Street, in basement of Church of Our Loard. Learn more
Kids Help Phone
- Professional counselling, information, referals and volunteer-led, text-based support to young people in both English and French. Connect at any time, 24hrs per day by phone, text, mobile app or the website.
- Text CONNECT to 686868 or phone 1-800-668-6868. Learn more
Victoria Foundry
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The youth clinic remains open. To book access to speak with a physician, nurse or counsellor, or for peer support call 250-383-3552. Appointment scheduling begins at 10:30am via telephone. Learn more
Out of the Rain Youth Shelter
- All services running from 1450 Elford Street. Available for take-away meals, hygiene products, socks and drop-off laundry for youth up to and including 25 years old.
- Breakfast and bagged lunch are available between 9:00am-12:00pm. Dinner is available between 4:00-7:00pm.
- Learn more
Island Sexual Health
- Offering phone/video access to Doctors/Nurses and sexual health services including emergency contraception, birth/bleed control, STI testing and treatment, sexual health symptom management and free safer sex and bleen control supplies to all. Learn more
- Most services available via telephone and video conferencing. Phone 250-592-3479
- Sexual health Q&A text line 250-812-9374
YMCA-YWCA of Vancouver Island
- Virtual mindfulness group for young adults (18-30) experiencing stress, worry or anxiety in the mild to moderate range. Spring program dates are Tuesdays 5:00-7:30pm April 14-May 26
- Register for online information session
VictimLINK
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24/7 phoneline for victims of any crime. Offers crisis support and referrals, resources and victim services. Phone 1-800-563-0808. Learn more
Youthspace
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An emotional and crisis support chat, with some new COVID-19 resources. Open 6:00am-12:00am. Learn more
Food Support
Saanich Neighbourhood Place - Food Assistance Program
Shelbourne Community Kitchen - COVID-19 Urgent Food Support Fund
Victoria Foundation - Food banks and Food services open
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Comprehensive Food Banks and food assistance programs. Learn more
Immigrant, Refugee and Newcomer Supports
Inter-Cultural Association of Greater Victoria
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Providing essential services for resettled refugees and immigrants via phone, videoconferencing or social distancing. Learn more
COVID-19 Health Literacy Project
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COVID-19 fact sheets in 35 languages - created in collaboration with Harvard Health Publishing. Learn more
Mental Health and Wellness
Health Link BC - Mental Health and COVID-19
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Virtual Mental Health Supports for COVID-19 are available for all youth, adults, seniors and health care workers in BC, providing mental health and substance use support. Learn more
Help Lines
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Listing of Help Lines available free-of-charge to provide information and support, including BC 211, alcohol and drug abuse information and referral line. Learn more
Crisis Intervention and Suicide Prevention Centre of BC (Crisis Centre)
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Providing support to youth, adults and seniors in distress available 24/7. Learn more
Here2Talk
- Here2Talk connects students with mental health support when they need it. Learn more
Arts & Culture
Support for arts and culture sector
BC Alliance for Arts & Culture - COVID-19
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Listing of resources, updates, funding and links to dozens of other local and national supports. Learn more
BC Museums Associations - COVID-19 Resources
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Resources for Museums and Cultural Organizations. Learn more
First Peoples' Cultural Council
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Resources and grants for Indigenous artists, arts and cultural organizations. Learn more
Showcase - Experience arts and culture online
Explore Arts & Culture while maintaining physical distancing
- Listing of local arts and culture offerings compiled by the Capital Regional District Arts Development Service. Learn more
CultureOnline - BC Museums Associations and ArtsBC
- Enjoy and explore art, music, dance, science and museums from across BC for families, educators and the general public.
- Tips for artists and organizations for getting your content online. Learn more
Showcase BC
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Provincial initiative to support our communities to stay home, stay connected and showcase entertainment from our local artists and creators. Free live programming and grants for artists. Learn more
YYJ Arts United
- Online Facebook group from Uvic Fine Arts sharing local arts and culture online and livestream initiatives for the community.
- Continue to connect with our vibrant local arts community. Artists are invited to share their content. Learn more
Art Uncontained - CBC
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Original programming from CBC Arts and across the CBC network as well as a new artist fund in partnership with the Canada Council of the Arts. Learn more
Saanich Community Associations
Broadmead Area Residents' Association (BARA)
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Striving to "match" residents to volunteers for assistance with groceries or prescription shopping where other family or agency supports are not available. Learn more
Cadboro Bay Community Association
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Providing updates on COVID-19 for the community and help appeals for the neighbourhood. Learn more
Cordova Bay Association for Community Affairs
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COVID-19 Community Page with information and Facebook group. Learn more