A message from the CEO: Looking back with gratitude — and ahead with hope

For nearly a century, Children’s Health Foundation of Vancouver Island has been rooted in a simple but powerful belief: every Island child deserves access to the care they need, close to home. Our story began in the 1920s, when one determined parent on Hornby Island worked tirelessly to bring children’s health services to Vancouver Island.

That spark grew into the Queen Alexandra Foundation for Children, which supported early services like the Queen Alexandra Solarium—later the Queen Alexandra Hospital for Children—and eventually evolved into what is now the Children’s Health Foundation of Vancouver Island. 

As the needs of Island families changed, so did our mission. What began as specialized inpatient care expanded into a broader commitment to supporting children and youth living with physical and mental health challenges across Vancouver Island and the surrounding islands.

This dedication ultimately inspired something truly special: our Homes Away From Home. Jeneece Place in Victoria became a comforting space for families travelling for pediatric care. Years later, Q̓ʷalayu House in Campbell River opened its doors, offering that same warmth to North Island families seeking maternal and pediatric services. 

Now, we’re excited for our next chapter: the opening of Jesse’s House in Nanaimo, which will support families travelling for neonatal and pediatric care. As we look toward our 100th anniversary in 2027, we feel immense gratitude for the generosity and determination that built this legacy—and deep hope for the families we have yet to meet.

Over the past 10 years, I’ve had the privilege of helping guide the Foundation through remarkable growth—strengthening our financial sustainability, expanding our impact, and building meaningful partnerships with people and organizations who share our belief in the importance of Island kids. 

It is truly an honour to help lead the Foundation into its next century. Together, we’ll continue building a future where every Island family can access the support they need, whenever and wherever they need it most.