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A closer look at Bear Essentials with Cheryl and Roanna

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...
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Health care doesn’t stop at the hospital — especially for Island families far from home

Trina Knight is a self-proclaimed “lifer” at Nanaimo Regional General Hospital (NRGH). She began her nursing career there in 1993 as a student, later working in medical surgery before finding...
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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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Ann’s story: A year at the Queen Alexandra Solarium

Ann was nine years old when she moved to Victoria from Salmon Arm with her parents and three siblings. Not long afterwards, she became ill with rheumatic fever and spent...
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Rooted in community: Rhonda’s ongoing dedication to Jeneece Place

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...
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A conversation with our House Managers

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...
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Why we give: The Gosselins’ story

For Penny and Roger Gosselin, giving back has always been a way of life. Retired educators and dedicated monthly donors to both Jeneece Place and Q̓ʷalayu House, they are among...
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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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How Ocean Grove Midwifery and Q̓ʷalayu House team up to support North Island families

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...