Far from home, close to care: How Q̓ʷalayu House helped this family

When June* and her family left their home in Gold River for the birth of their second child, they carried more than hospital bags — they carried the stress of travel and the hope that everything would go smoothly.

For them, the drive to the nearest hospital takes up to two hours on a road with no reception, so even routine appointments require planning and courage. But when the family arrived in Campbell River for their stay at Q̓ʷalayu House, a weight began to lift.

“Being right next to the hospital relieved so much stress,” June remembers.

When complications led to June having an emergency C-section, the support became even more meaningful. The family had a quiet place to rest, a playroom for her eldest, and a sense of normalcy.

“It was a gift of relief.”

During her third pregnancy, Q̓ʷalayu House became a steady anchor for June through months of appointments and childcare logistics. When an early morning ultrasound collided with dangerous weather, the family was able to arrive the night before and wake up to snowfall outside their window.

“I remember feeling so lucky, with my children sleeping peacefully beside me,” June says.

With a comfortable place to stay for two weeks while they waited for their new baby’s arrival, June and her husband could focus on their older children, enjoy small adventures to the beach, and settle into a routine. “It felt like a vacation — exactly what you need before birth.”

Looking back, June describes Q̓ʷalayu House simply: a safe haven. A place where compassion meets practical support, where families can breathe again, and where the heaviest moments of life are met with warmth, dignity, and care.

Donate to our Homes Away From Home program today to help families like June’s when the unexpected happens.

*Names have been changed to protect privacy.