Dads Matter
2025-07-27 18:30 - 20:00 (America/Vancouver) | Virtual Event
What is it? Dads supporting dads ! A place where dads can share their own experiences and get guidance and support from other dads. Dads with kids with disabilities.
When: Every Sunday. Attend one, three or as many as you want.
Where it Happens: Zoom online, Register Here
Ages: Dads of Children – All Ages
Cost: Free

Get in Touch: For more information, please call Ben Postmus at 250-231-7712
Website: https://diversefamilyroots.ca

Real Talk Pride Season 2SLGBTQIA+ Zoom Hangout
2025-07-29 18:00 - 20:00 | Virtual Event
LGBTQ folks with cognitive disabilities (or folks with cognitive disabilities who are questioning or curious about their gender and / or orientation) meet over Zoom, watch some Real Talk videos, and participate in a conversation facilitated by a certified sexual health educator.
Everybody has questions about dating, love, relationships, and sex. Things like:

How do I meet a boyfriend / girlfriend / partner?
How do I let my family know that I want to date?
How can I make sex safer?
What is consent?

It’s totally normal. But sometimes it can be hard to know where to get good information. At this event, we’ll watch some Real Talk videos, and have a conversation hosted by a Certified Sexual Health Educator. We’ll talk about where to get good information, who can support us with this stuff, and how to figure out confusing situations. People are welcome to talk about things, or to just listen if they don’t want to talk.
If you want a family member, friend, or staff member to come with you to the event, that’s great. They don’t need to register, they can just show up with you.
Register Here

Aging Caregivers
2025-07-30 18:30 - 20:00 | Virtual Event
We cannot slow the aging process in ourselves or in the people we care for! As we get older, our ability to care for our family member becomes more and more difficult. Planning our own future, and the future of our loved ones can be a terrifying process. Will we be able to provide the necessary care? Will they be well cared for in the future, after we are gone? What can we do to make the future easier? Connecting with other families in similar situations is the best way to problem solve and figure out what will work best for our specific situations. Join our call with other “mature” parents and caregivers and we can problem solve together!
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
You are invited to join FSI CONTINUING CONVERSATIONS, a private Facebook Group intended to continue conversations of support or provide an alternative platform for support. www.facebook.com/groups/fsicontinuingconversations/
After the session you are encouraged to share your feedback. This helps FSI improve our content to better serve the needs of families.
All FSI Zoom sessions can be accessed by telephone only if access to computers and/or internet is a barrier. If you need assistance registering for any session, please call our office at 1-800-441-5403.

Access to Justice Position Statement
2025-07-31 12:00 - 13:00 | Virtual Event
Did you know that people with an intellectual disability face significant barriers when interacting with the justice system?
Inclusion Canada has developed a position statement on access to justice. On Thursday, July 31st from 3-4 PM EST, we’ll be hosting a webinar to review our priorities, our calls to action, and our vision for an inclusive justice system.
Join us, learn from self-advocates, family members, and legal professionals, and prepare to be part of the solution.
Live French interpretation and ASL/LSQ will be available during the webinar.
To view Inclusion Canada’s Access to Justice position statement ahead of the webinar, you can do so here: https://bit.ly/3GBl6TO
Panelists include:

Kory Earle-Morrow: Kory is the Provincial/Territorial Coordinator at People First of Canada. Kory has been a huge advocate for people labelled with an intellectual or developmental disability. He lives with his husband, mother-in-law and 4 cats in Carleton Place. Kory will moderate the webinar.
Bluesette Campbell: Bluesette is the President of Inclusion Saskatchewan and a member of the Inclusion Canada board of directors. Bluesette chaired the Access to Justice Position Statement Committee. She will provide an overview of the position and commentary as a parent.
Elsie Tellier Caballero: Elsie is a Staff Lawyer at ARCH Disability Law Center. Elsie co-coordinated the Canada Civil Society Parallel Report Group. Elsie will comment on the significance of Inclusion Canada’s position, including as it relates to the rights claiming process.

Register for free now!

FASD - Thinking Outside of the Box
2025-07-31 19:00 - 20:30 | Virtual Event
This family hangout is all about empowering conversations for individuals affected by FASD and those that support them. Join us for a family hangout that provides a safe place to share and connect.
CLICK TO REGISTER
WE ASK ALL REGISTRANTS TO PLEASE REVIEW FSI’S ZOOM MEETING GUIDELINES BEFORE ATTENDING
Family Support Institute of BC (FSI) is a provincial not-for-profit society committed to supporting families who have a family member with a disability. FSI is unique in Canada and the only grass roots family to family organization that has a broad volunteer base.
FSI SUPPORTS AND SERVICES ARE FREE TO ANY FAMILY
You are invited to join FSI CONTINUING CONVERSATIONS, a private Facebook Group intended to continue conversations of support or provide an alternative platform for support. www.facebook.com/groups/fsicontinuingconversations/

After the session you are encouraged to share your feedback. This helps FSI improve our content to better serve the needs of families.
https://app.smartsheet.com/b/form/52ef23e13270439d9d97d32a0b229bbc

All FSI Zoom sessions can be accessed by telephone only if access to computers and/or internet is a barrier. If you need assistance registering for any session, please call our office at 1-800-441-5403.

Children In Care
2025-08-05 12:00 - 13:30, 2025-09-02 12:00 - 13:30 | Virtual Event
A support group for those with kids in care, considering care, or feeling pressured to place their kids in care.
Only families who have experienced this unique journey truly understand the challenges it brings. Whether due to removal, a special needs agreement, or a voluntary care agreement, placing a child with extra support needs into the Ministry’s care is an incredibly difficult and emotional decision. Families often face feelings of guilt, judgment, and isolation during this process. You’re not alone. Join us for an open and heartfelt conversation with other families who share your experience.
This is a space for parents and caregivers to connect, share, and support one another without fear of judgment. Let’s come together to find hope, resilience, and connection.
** PLEASE NOTE: This meeting is reserved for families with a member with a disability and self advocates only **

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

Family Support Institute of BC (FSI) is a provincial not-for-profit society committed to supporting families who have a family member with a disability. FSI is unique in Canada and the only grass roots family to family organization that has a broad volunteer base.
FSI SUPPORTS AND SERVICES ARE FREE TO ANY FAMILY

You are invited to join FSI CONTINUING CONVERSATIONS, a private Facebook Group intended to continue conversations of support or provide an alternative platform for support. www.facebook.com/groups/fsicontinuingconversations/

All FSI Zoom sessions can be accessed by telephone only if access to computers and/or internet is a barrier. If you need assistance registering for any session, please call our office at 1-800-441-5403.

Kindergarten Transitions
2025-08-12 12:30 - 14:30, 2025-08-12 18:00 - 20:00 | Virtual Event
Transitioning from preschool or childcare into school can be particularly challenging for parents and their children when extra supports are required.
Additional care is needed to ensure a smooth process and understand how to navigate the school system This workshop is designed for parents of preschoolers and kindergarteners to learn what to expect during those first months of Kindergarten.

CLICK TO REGISTER

Family Support Institute of BC (FSI) is a provincial not-for-profit society committed to supporting families who have a family member with a disability. FSI is unique in Canada and the only grass roots family to family organization that has a broad volunteer base.
FSI SUPPORTS AND SERVICES ARE FREE TO ANY FAMILY

After the session you are encouraged to share your feedback. This helps FSI improve our content to better serve the needs of families.
https://app.smartsheet.com/b/form/52ef23e13270439d9d97d32a0b229bbc

All FSI Zoom sessions can be accessed by telephone only if access to computers and/or internet is a barrier. If you need assistance registering for any session, please call our office at 1-800-441-5403.

You are invited to join FSI EARLY YEARS TRANSITIONS, this online forum was created by The Family Support Institute of BC aimed to support families navigate the journey of transitioning into Kindergarten for their loved ones through peer-to-peer support and shared experiences. https://www.facebook.com/groups/fsitransitiontok

Imprint, In Print
2025-08-12 18:00 - 19:00 | Swan Lake Nature Sanctuary, 3873 Swan Lake Rd, Victoria, BC, V8X 3W, Canada
Design your very own nature-themed tote bag during this hands-on, evening workshop!
Participants are invited to learn how to identify the traces different plants and animals leave behind in their natural habitat. You will have the opportunity to decorate your very own tote bag using wax rubbings of natural materials found at the Nature Sanctuary.
Participants will join Nature Educators on a guided walk to learn about animal and human activity around the Nature House. Throughout this workshop, we will reflect on discuss what kinds of impacts humans leave on nature.
All materials, including the tote bags, will be supplied.
Where: Meet at the Teaching Shelter – Swan Lake Nature Sanctuary
When: Tuesday, August 12th, 6:00 PM – 7:00PM
Who: All ages welcome; Please have any participants under 14 accompanied by an adult.
Cost: $15

Deaf and Autistic - Affirming Intersections of Experience
2025-08-12 18:00 - 19:00 | Virtual Event
This webinar will focus on people who are Deaf and
Autistic. The presenter will be Elle Livengood. Elle is
Deaf and Autistic herself and will share her journey to
understanding autism, being Hard of Hearing and
becoming Deaf, experience through a cochlear implant,
and about other parts of the life lived til now. Elle will
talk about understanding language, understanding
autism, affirming Deaf Autistic children, how to
navigate the systems that don’t always support
marginalized families, and more!

BIOGRAPHY

Elle is a professional educator of many years and many
hats. Elle has taught Deaf and hard of hearing students
across the country, in Deaf schools, mainstream settings
and now runs a DHH middle school center program in
Portland, Oregon. As well, Elle has hosted a variety of
workshops on the Disability experience for adults. They
are Deaf, Autistic and chronically ill and have a
plethora of lived and learned experience in the
Disability Community.
These days you can find Elle loving their little home and
family life filled with love, animals and nature.

Personal Planning Stories + Q&A with Nidus and Family Support Institute
2025-08-20 18:00 - 19:00 | Virtual Event
Nidus Personal Planning Resource Centre and FSI are hosting a joint webinar on personal planning and Representation Agreements. This webinar will help you understand how to arrange for future support needs or potential incapacity while you’re still living.
The webinar offers a screening of two videos featuring personal, real-life stories from people across BC, highlighting the usefulness of personal planning and Representation Agreements. After the screening, there will be time for a short Q&A period.
Wednesday, August 20, 2025, from 6:00 to 7:00 pm
Register Here

BC Summer Institute 2025
2025-08-25 - 2025-08-27 | Virtual Event
The BC Summer Institute: Partnerships for Inclusive Learning conference, organized by the Family Support Institute, is happening in August, and the early bird registration deadline is coming up soon!
This virtual conference for educators, paraprofessionals, and members of school-based teams in BC provides a professional learning experience around facilitating inclusive practice in the classroom.
Monday, August 25 to Wednesday, August 27, 2025
Early Bird registration is by Tuesday, July 15, 2025
Early Bird pricing – $395
Regular pricing – $450

Journey Through Grief
2025-08-25 19:00 - 20:30 | Virtual Event
Parents, grandparents, and caregivers of a child or family member with a disability who journey through aspects of grief are invited to come together in a safe space for connection, understanding, inspiration, capacity building, and non-judgemental support. Whether your experience is a new diagnosis, life stage, or loss, we welcome you to join the conversation circle. We are inclusive of diverse perspectives and belief systems.
CLICK TO REGISTER
Family Support Institute of BC (FSI) is a provincial not-for-profit society committed to supporting families who have a family member with a disability. FSI is unique in Canada and the only grassroots family to family organization that has a broad volunteer base. FSI SUPPORTS AND SERVICES ARE FREE TO ANY FAMILY
You are invited to join FSI CONTINUING CONVERSATIONS, a private Facebook Group intended to continue conversations of support or provide an alternative platform for support. www.facebook.com/groups/fsicontinuingconversations/
After the session you are encouraged to share your feedback. This helps FSI improve our content to better serve the needs of families.
https://app.smartsheet.com/b/form/52ef23e13270439d9d97d32a0b229bbc

All FSI Zoom sessions can be accessed by telephone only if access to computers and/or internet is a barrier. If you need assistance registering for any session, please call our office at 1-800-441-5403.

Mental Health First Aid Course
2025-09-04 08:30 - 2025-09-05 12:00 | Virtual Event
Join us for an engaging and impactful virtual Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) Certification Course, designed to equip you with essential skills to assist individuals experiencing a mental health crisis or decline in well-being. This interactive training will take place virtually, from 8:30AM to 12:00PM, on September 4th & 5th, providing you with hands-on techniques to recognize, support, and guide individuals toward recovery.
Throughout the course, participants will learn how to:

Recognize early signs of mental health declines or crises
Encourage open discussions about mental health and well-being
Guide individuals to appropriate professional or community supports
Offer support in mental health or substance use crises
Use MHFA actions to maintain your own mental health

Upon successful completion, participants will receive a Mental Health First Aid certificate from the Mental Health Commission of Canada (MHCC).
Before attending the virtual training, participants must complete a self-directed online module (Module 1), which introduces key concepts and strategies to be explored in the live training (Modules 2 and 3). The online module takes approximately 2 hours to complete, and proof of completion is required prior to the start of the virtual modules. Completion of Module 1 is mandatory to participate in the virtual course. Failure to complete the online module by the specified deadline will make the participant ineligible for a refund or transfer of registration.
Important Note: A minimum of 8 participants is required by the Mental Health Commission of Canada (MHCC) for the training to proceed. If fewer than 8 participants are confirmed 48 hours prior to the session, the course will be rescheduled in accordance with MHCC’s group size policy.
Cancellation Policy:

Cancellations must be submitted via email (training@csshsa.ca) at least 5 business days before the scheduled course to receive a refund or reschedule.

Late cancellations or no-shows are not eligible for refunds or rescheduling.

Gender Marvelous
2025-09-09 12:00 - 13:00 | Virtual Event
Welcome to a space where families come together to share their experiences, ask questions, and support one another as we navigate the journey of raising our queer, gender-diverse and/or Two-Spirit children and youth. Join the conversation, find strength and encouragement, and connect with a network of families who understand. All queer and 2SLGBTQIA+ families are welcome. Let’s support each other and grow together!
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
Family Support Institute of BC (FSI) is a provincial not-for-profit society committed to supporting families who have a family member with a disability. FSI is unique in Canada and the only grass roots family to family organization that has a broad volunteer base.
FSI SUPPORTS AND SERVICES ARE FREE TO ANY FAMILY
You are invited to join FSI CONTINUING CONVERSATIONS, a private Facebook Group intended to continue conversations of support or provide an alternative platform for support. www.facebook.com/groups/fsicontinuingconversations/
After the session you are encouraged to share your feedback. This helps FSI improve our content to better serve the needs of families. https://app.smartsheet.com/b/form/52ef23e13270439d9d97d32a0b229bbc

All FSI Zoom sessions can be accessed by telephone only if access to computers and/or internet is a barrier. If you need assistance registering for any session, please call our office at 1-800-441-5403.

Wills & Estate Planning
2025-09-09 18:30 - 20:30 | Virtual Event
Becoming well-informed about wills, trusts and estate planning is necessary to secure the financial future of your loved one with a disability. In this workshop, Geoffrey White will explain how to arrange your estate, prepare a will, and the various ins and outs of setting up a trust specifically for your relative or loved-one with a disability.
Tuesday, September 9, 2025, from 6:30 to 8:30 pm

SEA: For Adults - Free online workshop for World Suicide Prevention Day
2025-09-10 18:30 - 20:00 | Virtual Event
A 90 minute online suicide prevention workshop developed by NEED2 to provide foundational information about suicide that is accessible and relevant to adults; no matter their role in the community.
September 10, 2025 6:30-8pm (via Zoom)
This workshop is being held in recognition of World Suicide Prevention day, and is free of cost.
Once you’ve registered you will receive the zoom link the day before the workshop.
Register Here

Understanding Your Child's ADHD
2025-09-15 19:00 - 2025-09-29 20:30 | Virtual Event
Are you struggling to understand and navigate your child’s new ADHD diagnosis? Do you feel overwhelmed with all the information and unsure what to believe? This three-week introductory program will help you learn what ADHD actually is, and how it can affect your child at home and school. The course aims to teach parents and caregivers the basics of ADHD and strategies to help manage adverse symptoms.
This 3-week program is meant to be a first step for parents with a newly diagnosed child. It will explain the basics of the condition, along with how it may be showing up at home and school. It will provide parents with an opportunity to gain a better understanding of their child, as well as opportunities to share their experiences with other parents.
Topics include: ADHD symptoms, executive functioning, how ADHD affects the family unit, social impairments caused by ADHD, IEPs, strategies to address problematic behaviours

Week 1 – Understand what ADHD is and its impairments
Week 2 – Understand how ADHD impacts your child and family at home
Week 3 – Understanding ADHD at school

Learning Objectives

Gain a better understanding of what ADHD is and is not
Learn how to implement strategies at home and school to improve daily functioning

PLEASE NOTE: This program is not a webinar and requires your active participation to fully benefit from it. Sessions will not be recorded to protect your privacy.

Understanding Your Child’s ADHD – Fall Session
Begins Monday September 15th, 2025 – 3 weeks
Dates: September 15, 22 & 29th, 2025
Time: 4:00pm PDT/ 5:00pm MDT/ 7:00pm -8:30pm EDT/ 8:00pm ADT
Where: Virtual on Zoom
Facilitator: Layla Teixeira
Fee: $30 + HST

Please note that this program will be offered in January, March, September and November every year. This program is a good intro to ADHD in children prior to taking our REFOCUS program.

Please note that this program is refundable up to 48hrs before the program starts. As of September 13th, the registration fee is non-refundable. Thank you for your understanding.

Parents Together
2025-09-16 12:00 - 13:30 | Virtual Event
Sometimes parenting challenges can feel overwhelming. This program offers ongoing support for parents of teens. A manual and materials are provided to participants. Parents may stay in the group as long as they feel they need support and help in their daily parenting. Guest speakers may be invited for specific topics.
A supportive online group for parents of pre-teens and teens.
Topics include:

Attachment & relationship-based parenting
Communication and the 6 critical messages
Developmental changes in pre-adolescence
Adolescent brain development
Boundaries and turning over responsibility
Self-care for parents
Teen mental health & substance use

When: Tuesdays, 12:00 PM – 1:30 PM (ongoing)
Where: Online
Cost: Free
Register Here: https://bgcsvi.org/programs/parenting/

Mental Wellness - Y Mind Teen (13-18) & Youth (18-30)
2025-09-16 18:00 - 19:30
Mental health challenges shouldn’t get in the way of doing what you love. Our programs help overcome barriers and get you on the right track to where you’d like to be.
Our free mental wellness programs, Y Mind and Mind Medicine, help participants learn how to manage stress and mild-to-moderate anxiety (individuals experiencing severe anxiety and stress that significantly impacts their ability to perform daily activities likely require more support than what Y Mind is intended to provide). Our programs are evidence-based and teach Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and mindfulness.
To participate, you may self-refer, you do not need a diagnosis of anxiety, and you do not need to be a Y member.
Y MIND TEEN – AGES 13-18
Y Mind Teen is a free seven-week program delivered across BC. This program supports teens ages 13 to 18 who are experiencing symptoms of stress and worry to learn and practice evidence-based strategies to cope with stress. Y Mind Teen is led by trained mental health professionals and educators and gives teens the chance to connect with others who are experiencing similar thoughts and feelings.
Registration Information:
The Y Mind Groups are being offered in person at the Westhills Y (Langford) and Downtown locations. If you are not able to attend these for any reason, both virtual and in person groups are available to those in other parts of BC and Vancouver Island. Please contact us at mindfulness@vancouverislandy.ca so we can support you in accessing a group (either in person or virtual) in your area.
The dates and times for our next information sessions and a registration link are below:
Downtown (location to be determined) on Tuesday September 16 and 23, 2025.
The group will run on Tuesdays October 7- November 25, 6-7:30 pm.

Westhills, 202-1314 Lakepoint Way on Wednesday September 24 and October 1st, 2025.
The group will run on Wednesdays October 15- November 26, 6-7:30 pm.

The registration process for Y Mind Teen includes attendance at an Information Session (either online or in person, depending on the site) and a brief intake meeting with one of our facilitators to determine if the group is a best fit for the teen.
REGISTER ONLINE
*Expecting an email from the Y team… please ensure you check your junk email folders occasionally emails may be flagged as spam.

Y MIND YOUTH – AGES 18 – 30
The Y Mind Youth programs are delivered in person, in Victoria, at the Downtown Y on Broughton St. Online groups are available with enough interest or through our partner sites on Vancouver Island as well as other Y’s across BC.
If stress is impacting your life and preventing you from doing what you want or need to do, this group is for you. Y Mind Youth is a free seven-week program delivered across BC. Y Mind Youth supports people ages 18-30 who are experiencing symptoms of mild to moderate anxiety/stress to learn and practice evidence-based strategies to increase coping. This group is led by trained mental health professionals and gives young adults the chance to connect with others who are experiencing similar thoughts and feelings.

Registraton Information:
The Y Mind Groups are being offered in person at the Downtown Y in Victoria in Spring 2025 (depending on interest). Please contact us at mindfulness@vancouverislandy.ca so we can support you in accessing a group (either in person or virtual) in your area.
All participants must register and attend one of our virtual information sessions and a one-on-one intake to register for the program. The dates and times for our next Victoria information sessions and a registration link are below:
Downtown (location to be determined) on Tuesday September 16 and 23, 2025.
The group will run on Tuesdays October 7- November 25, 6-7:30 pm.

Westhills, 202-1314 Lakepoint Way on Wednesday September 24 and October 1st, 2025.
The group will run on Wednesdays October 15- November 26, 6-7:30 pm.

REGISTER ONLINE
*Expecting an email from the Y team… please ensure you check your junk email folders occasionally emails may be flagged as spam.

Healthy Boundaries
2025-09-16 18:30 - 2025-10-28 20:30 | Men’s Therapy Center, 301-3491 Saanich Rd., Victoria, BC, V8X 1W8, Canada
Learn to foster mutual respect and strengthen your family dynamic by setting effective boundaries in a single-parent household.

A Strong Start: Guiding your Kids through Back to School Challenges
2025-09-17 19:00 - 20:30 | Virtual Event
This workshop will explore how substance use can affect a young person’s ability to cope with stress, anxiety, and depression, and offers practical, harm reduction–focused strategies to support them.

Emotion Regulation
2025-09-18 18:30 - 20:00 | Virtual Event
When kids frequently have big emotions, parenting can be overwhelming and tiring. Discover some strategies and skills that can make it easier for your kids and you, and the critical role that parents and caregivers play to create positive change for young people. Learn about emotion regulation and dysregulation from Nicole Allen, Registered Clinical Counsellor.
Join us and other families for this video presentation and discussion that’s facilitated by a FamilySmart Family Peer Support Worker.
6:30pm-8:00pm Pacific Time (most of British Columbia)
7:30pm-9:00pm Mountain Time (Alberta)
These events are funded for parents and caregivers living in the Province of British Columbia and for CASA families in Alberta. If you are from another province or territory, or live outside of Canada, we welcome you to visit our video library at www.familysmart.ca/videos and use our resources. Thank you.

Understanding ADHD for Adults
2025-09-18 20:30 - 2025-10-02 22:00 | Virtual Event
ADHD impacts all areas of life, and understanding is a pivotal starting point for moving forward.
This program is designed for those who are newly diagnosed and are embarking on a personal journey of self-discovery.
PLEASE NOTE: This program is not a webinar and requires your active participation to fully benefit from it. Sessions will not be recorded to protect your privacy.
Join us to unravel the complexities of Adult ADHD in an interactive, supportive, and collaborative environment.
After this program you should be able to:

Understand the wide range of Adult ADHD symptoms.
Become aware of how ADHD can impact various aspects of life.
Take proactive steps to explore non-medication approaches to managing ADHD.
Identify how ADHD medications work and how they can improve daily functioning.
Access resources that can bring positive changes to lives of people with ADHD

Facilitated by Dr. Gurdeep Parhar (MD) and Dr. Anita Parhar (PhD), this program draws from their extensive knowledge gained through years of dedicated work at the Adult ADHD Centre. Dr. Gurdeep Parhar and Dr. Anita Parhar bring a wealth of clinical and practical insights through the cumulative experience of over 15,000 patient experiences, which is the foundation of this program.
Begins Thursday, September 18, 2025 – 3 weeks
Dates: September 18, 25 & October 2nd, 2025
Time: 5:30pm PDT/ 6:30pm MDT/ 8:30pm – 10pm EDT/ 9:30pm ADT
Where: Virtual on Zoom
Please note that this program is refundable up to 48hrs before the program starts. As of September 16th, registration fee is non-refundable. Thank you for your understanding.
Facilitators: Dr. Gurdeep Parhar & Dr. Anita Parhar
Fee: $30 + HST
Please note that this program will be offered in January, March, September and November every year. This program is a good intro to ADHD prior to taking our Adult ADHD Group Coaching programs.
Please note that this program is refundable up to 48hrs before the program starts. Once the program begins, registration fee is non-refundable. Thank you for your understanding.

Celebrate Sidney Tree Day By Planting Trees With Friends
2025-09-20 09:45 - 13:00 | Brethour Park, Sidney, V8L 4X1, Canada
Details

We will be planting trees & removing invasive plants in Philip Brethour Park to increase the health of the ecosystem and celebrate Sidney Tree Day!
The Town of Sidney will also be providing free trees (including garry oak, pacific crabapple, red alder, & big leaf maple) for community members to take home!
We will be working rain or shine.
Want to sign up without using Meetup? email kaitlin@greenteamscanada.ca
WHY SIGN UP
You’ll:

Meet new people
Learn about local environmental issues
Improve your mental health in nature connecting with others
Get some exercise
Increase biodiversity
Get volunteer hours (if you need them)
Eat delicious snacks
Have fun!! 🙂 (even when it rains!)

REGISTRATION
First time coming out? Fill this out: [http://bit.ly/2WdZeAT](https://greenteams.formstack.com/forms/greater_victoria_green_team_volunteer_registration_form)
18 or under? Get your parent/guardian to fill this out: [http://bit.ly/parentguardianform](https://greenteams.formstack.com/forms/greater_victoria_green_team_volunteer_registration_form_guardian)
You only ever have to fill this form out ONCE
RSVPing
Before you sign up, please make sure you are fully committed to participating. We ensure there is enough staff, buy refreshments and bring gloves/tools based on the number of people signed up.
By RSVPing and not showing up, or changing your RSVP at the last minute, you may be taking a spot away from someone who wants to participate. Lets honour each other’s time and be considerate of one another.
We understand that unforeseen circumstances may come up. If you can no longer attend, please update your RSVP right away.
SET UP & TAKE DOWN
Want to come early and help set up and/or stay a little longer and help with take down? Email [Kaitlin@GreenTeamsCanada.ca]([REDACTED]
MEETING SPOT
Meet us at the entrance of Brethour Park located off of Ocean Ave W near the address 2075 Ocean Ave W.
PARKING
Parking is available in the gravel parking lot in front of Brethour Park off of Ocean Ave W
CYCLING
Plan your bicycle route with CRD Bike Map
BUS
There is a bus stop nearby at Ocean Ave W and Epco Dr
Plan your bus route with BC Transit Victoria
CARPOOLING
Log in & use “comments” at the bottom of this page to say you need a ride or can offer a ride. You may also send us a message to include in an email to attendees.
Staff will not coordinate rides, they will only pass on the info that you are offering/looking for a ride.
Please ensure you communicate meeting points and times clearly and prioritize your safety. Community members who carpool do so at their own risk.
Staff cannot offer rides
WASHROOMS
The Town of Sidney will be providing a portable toilet on site for this activity
WHAT TO BRING

Wear clothes you don’t mind getting dirty
Long sleeves and long pants to protect from thorny plants, & insects
Refillable water bottle with water (we have water for refills)
Sturdy closed toe shoes/boots
Rain jacket in case it rains
Hat
Your own gardening gloves, tools and/or safety glasses if you prefer – otherwise we’ll provide these.

WHAT WE PROVIDE YOU

Gloves, tools and safety glasses
Education and demonstration on what we will be doing (no experience necessary!)
Refreshments (e.g. baked goods, veggies, fruits, granola bars)
Photos of you in action
Volunteer letters (on request)

FLOW OF THE ACTIVITY
At 9:45am sign in, followed by instruction and engaging in this activity. Halfway through we’ll take a break, go back to engaging in the activity and then we end at 1pm.
PARTNER
This activity is being made possible thanks to financial support and direction from our Community Investment Partner, The Town of Sidney
LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
All Greater Victoria Green Team activities take place on the traditional and unceded territories of the W̱SÁNEĆ Nation, the Lekwungen speaking Songhees & Esquimalt peoples, and the nations who form the Te’mexw Treaty Association. We respectfully acknowledge the longstanding relationships these groups have with the land that stretch from time immemorial to the present day. We are extremely grateful to be able to run environmental stewardship activities on these lands.
Questions? Email [kaitlin@greenteamscanada.ca](severine@greenteamscanada.ca)

Book Launch - At Power To Be
2025-09-20 10:00 - 12:00 | Prospect Lake, 4633 Prospect Lake Rd., Victoria, BC, Canada

Community ASIST Workshop individual registration
2025-09-22 09:00 - 2025-09-23 17:00 | Need2 Office, 2390 Arbutus Road, Victoria, BC, V8N 1V7, Canada
ASIST is a two-day workshop that provides suicide first aid training to participants. This training provides participants with the competencies needed to prevent suicide by recognizing signs, providing a skilled intervention, and developing a safety plan to keep someone alive.
You do not need to work in the health or mental health field to take ASIST. We need people in all roles in the community to be ASIST trained to create a suicide-safer community!
The cost of the workshop is $325. Student rate is available upon request.

The workshop will take place at the NEED2 office.
Lunch, coffee/tea and snacks will be provided

To register visit our website here
Questions; email communityeducation@need2.ca

Lunch and Learn
2025-09-22 10:00 - 2025-09-26 11:00
Truth and Reconciliation Week is coming up September 22 to 26, followed by National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, on September 30.
For some, this is a time of new learning. Some may experience feelings of discomfort, guilt, shame or shock. For yet others, this is a difficult time that may resurface trauma and deep grief. We hold space for each person who may be processing the significance of Truth and Reconciliation in their own way.
The National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation is offering virtual webinars to support you in un-learning the myths of colonial history. Each day of Truth and Reconciliation Week, Residential School Survivors and other speakers will share about important topics like the impacts of residential school, denialism, and more.
REGISTER HERE

Learn about sexual health and wellness
2025-09-22 18:00 - 2025-09-24 20:00
Have questions about sex or sexual health that you don’t want to ask at school? Young people ages 17-24 are invited to attend an inclusive sex ed workshop, hosted by Foundry Virtual BC and Options for Sexual Health. These workshops will offer participants an opportunity to learn and ask questions in a safe, judgment-free environment. Registration is through the Foundry BC mobile app.
For youth of all genders and sexual orientations:
Monday, September 22, 2025, from 6:00 to 8:00 pm
For 2SLGBTQIA+ youth:
Wednesday, September 24, 2025, from 6:00 to 8:00 pm
