A conversation with our House Managers
We all know the saying ‘It takes a village to raise a child,’ but our House Managers understand it at their core. They see this phrase brought to life each day in their work at our two Homes Away From Home, supporting families who’ve had to leave their community to access health care for their kids.
Kirsten Zaleschuk is the Manager of Q̓ʷalayu House in Campbell River and Krista Lavoie is Manager of Jeneece Place in Victoria. They both joined the team in 2024 and have hit the ground running.
Recently, we sat down with Kirsten and Krista to learn about the moments that have stuck out for them most, the trends they’ve been seeing in each of the homes, and their reflections on working in a donor-supported organization.
A place for joy, calm, grief—and everything in between
For Krista, one of her favourite parts of the job is getting to see friendships forming amongst families staying at Jeneece Place.
“I think what’s surprised me most is the magic that happens in the kitchen. On average, we have 20 people staying in the house at once, and they all share one kitchen. They move around each other with so much respect, cooking different meals from their respective cultures. I’m watching families learn a lot from each other and create these beautiful friendships with people they probably would never have met otherwise, […] moms of different ages and backgrounds saying: ‘we’re going to be friends forever.’”
At the same time, Jeneece Place is no stranger to grief, with some families experiencing loss while staying at the home. “We see a lot of heartfelt moments and joy here, but for some families, it’s also a safe place to be really, really sad. Those moments are tough.”
At Q̓ʷalayu House, the environment is often quite calm with less coming and going from the hospital, Kirsten explains.
“With our prenatal families, it can be really quiet around here. There is a lot of waiting. We often have intergenerational families from the traditional communities of the North Island stay to support the new mom, and sometimes the elders will share why they’re involved and why they’re present. Sometimes the expectant parents open up about what it was like for them to grow up and how they want to do things differently, and it can get really heavy.”
The quiet moments don’t last forever, though, Kirsten explains. As babies are born, the atmosphere in the home tends to shift.
“It’s great to see families with newborns connecting in their earliest days as parents— they’re in the trenches together. They’ll be in the kitchen at the same time, with bags under their eyes, and they’ll check in with each other. It’s nice to see camaraderie among the first-time dads as well.”
A place that can accommodate a family’s support network
At Jeneece Place, Krista notes, people feel comfortable enough to show up as they would in their own homes because they feel relaxed, safe, and welcome. One moment sticks out to her as particularly sweet:
“We’ve had a grandpa come out in his leather slippers and his robe, and then he sits by the fire with his coffee, and he’ll say to nobody in particular, ‘I just love it here.’ He’s just kind of speaking to the room in general, and you know he’s thinking, how wonderful that this place exists for my family.”
Kirsten also sees a number of grandparents and extended family members at Q̓ʷalayu House.
“We often have larger families staying together—it’s not uncommon to see expectant parents come down with the grandparents, or an aunt, or to have teens with them for the weekend. Room 7, our two-bedroom suite, is almost always booked.”
A stop along the journey
In addition to prenatal stays, Kirsten notes that North Island families will often spend a night at Q̓ʷalayu House in order to access essential health care for their kids in other regions like Nanaimo.
“Imagine having to travel four hours to get to your young child’s 9 am dentist appointment. That’s what we see happening for families from the North Island or surrounding islands. Sometimes there are a few ferry rides involved. So Q̓ʷalayu House can be that stepping stone for them to break up a really long journey.”
Lately, Jeneece Place has been at full capacity with families who need to stay long-term in Victoria—often several months at once—which means not being able to accommodate all the families seeking support. These are challenging moments to navigate for Krista, though they also reinforce the importance of Jeneece Place and how grateful she is for the community of donors who keep it operating with their support.
“It’s not unusual for a family to arrive in the middle of the night with nothing—no car, no clothes, not even a toothbrush,” Krista explains. “In those initial moments of trauma, offering something as simple as a cup of coffee can make all the difference. It helps ease the stress as they begin to navigate an overwhelming and difficult situation,” says Krista.
It’s all possible thanks to people who care about Island kids
Kirsten adds that when families staying at Q̓ʷalayu House learn that the doors opened just three years ago, they often ask what parents did before. “That question lingers in the air, and it makes you wonder—did expectant parents sleep in their cars, or did whole families cram into hotel rooms? Did relatives have to doze beside hospital beds when their children were admitted?
“I was floored when I first learned that Q̓ʷalayu House relies 100 per cent on donor funds to support it. Knowing that Q̓ʷalayu House is fully supported by donors sends a powerful message to these families: that other families, perhaps not so different from theirs, care deeply about their children and recognize that their health care journey and needs are valid. The spirit of being a home supported by the community, for the community, truly lies at the heart of Q̓ʷalayu House. It helps families hold onto a shred of normalcy in a time that feels anything but.”
Krista shares the same sentiment: “It’s hard to believe that 14 years ago, Jeneece Place didn’t even exist. These homes are vital and must be here for generations to come, which is why donor support is absolutely essential—and deeply appreciated.”
We’re so grateful for the donors whose support makes it possible for Jeneece Place and Q̓ʷalayu House to be there for Island families all year round.
You can join this generous community that makes the joyful moments possible and the tough moments a little easier to get through.
