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The impact of a home away from home in community

When Soren and Mahsa moved to Canada 10 years ago from Belgium, they weren’t expecting to have a little one running around. Both Soren and his wife were continuing their...
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How your support expanded Ellie’s world

When Paula and Mike welcomed their daughter Ellie in 2010, they sensed something was different. Born at 37 weeks after growth stopped at 32, Ellie cried constantly for her first...
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In times of uncertainty, this Island family found comfort and care far from home

For Ontario-born Krista, living on Vancouver Island was a dream come true. She moved out west in her 20s, after having worked with students with special needs. “I’ve known I...
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How a family navigates healing together with support from Bear Essentials

Disclaimer: The names in this story have been changed to protect the family’s privacy. When Heather’s daughter June was first admitted to BC Children’s Hospital in September 2023 for an...
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Early support didn’t just help Cohen play—it helped him believe

We first met Cohen when he and his sister, Sophia, brought us a donation—they had saved up their earnings from doing household chores to help other kids. Not long afterwards,...
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“A lot less stress and a lot more time to visit my kid”: The essence of Jeneece Place

Dahlia is a spirited three-year-old who loves typical toddler things – dinosaurs, colouring, and playing in her toy kitchen. However, her entrance into the world was far from ordinary. Born...
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Every step of the way, you’re there for Island kids like Scotia

Three-year-old Scotia is an amazing little girl who loves books, colouring, and playing at the park. But her earliest days were full of challenges. In utero, Scotia was diagnosed with...
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Finding strength at Jeneece Place: A mother’s journey 

Since his birth in March 2023, Bellamy, with his infectious smile and bright blue eyes, has been a great source of joy for his family. It’s what’s helped them through...
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An update about our holiday appeal

As you are no doubt aware, the Canadian Union of Postal Workers declared a nationwide strike on Friday, November 15, bringing mail delivery to a halt across the country. We...
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National Child Day: Reflecting on our commitment to children’s rights to health care

Today is National Child Day. A day to acknowledge the importance of children’s rights and our country’s commitment to upholding them. This day stems from the United Nations Convention on...
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How an adaptive bike from Bear Essentials changed Roland’s life

From the moment he was born, Roland was a happy and joyful boy, always laughing and squealing with delight. However, his parents, Aubrey and Jeremy, began to notice differences as...
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Now and then: How Bear Essentials helped this Parksville family

A few years ago, we introduced you to Heather, Wyatt, and Kason from Parksville. Living on Vancouver Island with her two sons, Heather’s experienced both the highs and lows that...