At the heart of our Bear Essentials program are Navigators Cheryl Jordan and Roanna McLeod. Recently, we sat down with them to learn more about the realities families are facing...
https://islandkidsfirst.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Cheryl-and-Roanna-2-1.png490735chf_adminhttps://islandkidsfirst.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/chf-logo-white.svgchf_admin2025-11-27 11:05:292025-11-27 11:06:38A closer look at Bear Essentials with Cheryl and Roanna
Children’s Health Foundation of Vancouver Island today announced a $10 million fundraising campaign to build a home away from home for Island families travelling to Nanaimo for their child’s health...
https://islandkidsfirst.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/NanaimoHAFH_blog.png490735chf_adminhttps://islandkidsfirst.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/chf-logo-white.svgchf_admin2025-10-08 13:10:402025-10-08 13:24:40Children’s Health Foundation of Vancouver Island launches $10 million campaign to build new home away from home in Nanaimo
We’re thrilled to present our 2024/25 Annual Impact Report – a reflection of the incredible difference you made in the lives of Island families. This report shares the real-life perspective...
https://islandkidsfirst.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/AIR-2024-25.png490735chf_adminhttps://islandkidsfirst.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/chf-logo-white.svgchf_admin2025-09-25 09:00:252025-09-25 09:15:30Local impact. Islands-wide: Your 2024-25 Annual Impact Report
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...
https://islandkidsfirst.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Heather-June_wp.png490735Leo Rezendehttps://islandkidsfirst.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/chf-logo-white.svgLeo Rezende2025-07-22 12:11:192025-10-02 11:32:32How a family navigates healing together with support from Bear Essentials
Once a month, Rhonda walks into the kitchen at Jeneece Place carrying bags of groceries she’s purchased with the help of her boss. With her son by her side, she...
https://islandkidsfirst.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Rhonda-Glowasky-1.png490735chf_adminhttps://islandkidsfirst.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/chf-logo-white.svgchf_admin2025-04-25 09:33:032025-04-25 09:55:11Rooted in community: Rhonda’s ongoing dedication to Jeneece Place
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...
https://islandkidsfirst.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/house-managers.png490735chf_adminhttps://islandkidsfirst.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/chf-logo-white.svgchf_admin2025-03-11 09:28:432025-07-23 09:04:38A conversation with our House Managers
A single experience can often ignite the path to transformation. For Coastal Community Credit Union (CCCU), that moment came after an employee stayed at Jeneece Place. It sparked a conversation...
https://islandkidsfirst.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Story-3_CCCU-scaled.jpeg17072560chf_adminhttps://islandkidsfirst.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/chf-logo-white.svgchf_admin2025-01-24 11:12:382025-01-24 09:53:52How one employee’s experience sparked a company’s compassion
The new year is a natural time for reflection, growth, and setting goals. If you intend to contribute to something bigger or make an impact in your community this year,...
https://islandkidsfirst.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/blog-3.jpg490735chf_adminhttps://islandkidsfirst.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/chf-logo-white.svgchf_admin2025-01-14 15:25:522025-01-24 09:53:52Set a philanthropic goal in 2025
Partnerships with health care professionals across the Island are integral to the success of our Homes away from home program. It’s often how families first learn about it. That’s why...
https://islandkidsfirst.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Ocean-grove.png490735chf_adminhttps://islandkidsfirst.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/chf-logo-white.svgchf_admin2024-12-16 09:09:372025-01-24 09:53:52How Ocean Grove Midwifery and Q̓ʷalayu House team up to support North Island families
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...
https://islandkidsfirst.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/canadapost2024.png490735chf_adminhttps://islandkidsfirst.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/chf-logo-white.svgchf_admin2024-11-21 15:25:222025-05-01 09:37:52An update about our holiday appeal
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...
https://islandkidsfirst.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/2024-National-Child-Day_.png300570chf_adminhttps://islandkidsfirst.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/chf-logo-white.svgchf_admin2024-11-20 09:21:152025-05-01 09:35:53National Child Day: Reflecting on our commitment to children’s rights to health care
Have you ever considered hosting a fundraiser to support a cause you care about? With the holiday season approaching, now is the perfect time to plan a fun, impactful event....
https://islandkidsfirst.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/sixwaysblog.png490735chf_adminhttps://islandkidsfirst.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/chf-logo-white.svgchf_admin2024-11-12 15:30:422025-01-24 09:53:53Six simple ways to support Island kids this holiday season