Five years of Q̓ʷalayu House: Keeping families close to care
Five years ago, Q̓ʷalayu House opened its doors in Campbell River with a simple but significant goal: to give North Island families an affordable, welcoming place to stay when they need to travel for maternal and pediatric care.
Since then, Q̓ʷalayu House has supported 383 families from more than 45 communities across Vancouver Island and the North Coast, providing more than 5,000 nights of accommodation. While prenatal stays are the most common, families also travel for surgeries and appointments with pediatricians, dentists and therapists.
Behind every stay, the team of Home Coordinators has listened to stories, offered support and helped make health care journeys a little easier. To mark this anniversary, we asked them to reflect on what makes Q̓ʷalayu House so meaningful and what they have learned from the people who stay here.
A Home that feels like family
Staff described Q̓ʷalayu House as a place of comfort, connection and unconditional support.
One team member compared it to a big sister: always there when you need it the most. They often notice parents and caregivers supporting one another during their stays, creating connections that can continue after they’ve returned home.
One of our Home Coordinators, still remembers the first guest she welcomed: a young child who proudly insisted on being her “little helper.”
Over the years, staff have also had the privilege of watching children grow: since 2021, nearly 100 families have returned for ongoing care.
One coordinator spoke about knowing a child from birth and later hearing them say her name for the first time at age three.
The impact is visible right when a family arrives. As one staff member put it, it is the look on a family’s face when they check in and say, “This is where I need to be.” That means one less thing to worry about.
Why Q̓ʷalayu House matters to North Island families
When asked what makes Q̓ʷalayu House special, staff pointed to the sense of community that forms between guests, often in small, shared experiences:
“Guests with toddlers get to experience communal living. They learn great skills like respect, boundaries and sharing,”
Staff also point to the peace of mind the Home gives families. They don’t have to rush through an appointment to catch the ferry home. They can focus on their child’s health instead.
Looking ahead
Today, our team works with almost 40 health care providers and referral partners, helping connect families with a place to stay when they need care far from home.
As Q̓ʷalayu House celebrates its fifth anniversary, staff hope it continues to grow alongside the community while remaining what guests have come to rely on: a welcoming place to stay during a health care journey.
Here’s to the next five years of supporting families when they need it most.
Donate today to help ensure Island families have a Home Away From Home when they need to travel for their child’s health care.
