Osanis Inclusion Services Inc.

Stories in the Park
2025-07-17 10:00 - 11:00, 2025-07-24 10:00 - 11:00, 2025-07-31 10:00 - 11:00, 2025-08-07 10:00 - 11:00, 2025-08-14 10:00 - 11:00, 2025-08-21 10:00 - 11:00, 2025-08-28 10:00 - 11:00 (America/Vancouver) | Saxe Point Park, Victoria, BC, V9A 6G5, Canada
Join Esquimalt’s Recreation staff for story time in the park. We will be reading stories from Canadian authors followed by a themed activity. These stories are intended for children ages 2-5, but all are welcome.

~Meet at the flagpole~

July3rd – A Garden Called Home by Jessica J Lee & Elaine Chen
July 10th – This is a Tiny Fragile Snake by Nicholas Ruddock
July 17th – The only Lonely Fairy by Lana Button
July 24th – Lobster’s Vacation by Michelle Robinson
July 31st – Class Trip by Robert Munsch
Aug 7th – Super Small by Tiffany Stone
Aug 14th – Brave like the Buffalo by Melissa Allen
Aug 21st – A Bumblebee Sweater by Betty Waterton
Aug 28th – Emma at the Fair by Magriet Ruurs

Take part in our summer stories passport. Each week you attend you will receive a sticker!

VDRC - Art Group
2025-07-18 13:00 - 15:00, 2025-08-01 13:00 - 15:00, 2025-08-15 13:00 - 15:00 | Victoria Disability Resource Centre, 817A Fort Str., Victoria, BC, V8W 1H8, Canada
Our Art Group for persons with disabilities is going twice monthly this summer! Create a unique masterpiece with paints, markers or whatever helps express yourself!
We will provide supplies, including colouring books, canvases, felts, paint
When: July 18th, August 1st, and August 15th
Time: 1:00pm to 3:00pm
Where: 817A Fort Street

Diverse Destinations
2025-07-18 14:30 - 16:30, 2025-07-19 14:30 - 16:30 | Royal Canadian Legion, 761 Station Avenue, Victoria, BC, V9B 4V2, Canada
Diverse Destinations is a free summer presentation series for people with physical disabilities, families, and friends. Hosted by Technology For Living and supported by the Victoria Foundation, it features accessible travel tips, real-life stories from disabled adventurers, and highlights like the new Hullo ferry service.

Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP) by MHRP
2025-07-22 13:30 - 16:00 | MHRPI SI Boardroom, 941 Kings Rd, Victoria, BC, V8T1W7, Canada
Mental Health Recovery Partners South Island will be facilitating another Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP). There is no fee to participate.
WRAP is an evidence-based personal relapse prevention plan that supports participants with developing their own personal wellness plan. In this workshop participants will learn about wellness tools and create action plans to put them into practice in their everyday life. Participants learn how to maintain their wellness by recognizing stressors and early warning signs and by developing coping strategies including having a crisis plan. This workshop is offered several times a year and is co-facilitated by two trained WRAP facilitators.
The next WRAP will be held in-person for six Tuesdays from 1:30pm-4pm at MHRP SI Boardroom on the following dates:
June 10th
June 17th
June 24th
July 8th
July 15th
July 22nd
Please share this with anyone who might be interested. To register, please visit: https://mhrp.ca/programs-and-services/program-request-form

Summer Discovery with our Explorer Packs
2025-07-23 09:30 - 11:00, 2025-08-13 09:30 - 11:00 | Island View Beach, 3215 Island View Rd, Saanichton, BC, V8M 1W3, Canada
Join us to discover what’s inside our new Explorer Adventure Packs, featuring birds at the beach and seashore, along with all the cool things you can find.
When: July 23rd & August 13, 2025
Time: 9:30 am – 11 am
Where: Island View Beach

Email: ccrr@beacons.ca
Call: 250-216-3053

Children's Day
2025-08-09 10:00 - 15:30 | Heritage Acres, 7321 Lochside Dr, Saanichton, BC, V8M 1W4, Canada
Admission $8 per person. Children 12 & under FREE
When:
Saturday August 9, 2025
Where:
7321 Lochside Drive (off Island View Road), Saanichton
What:

Balloon Art
Facepainting
Storytime
Photobooth
Creek Tour
Nature Walk
Friendship Bracelets
VIBA Blacksmithing Demonstrations
Sidney Museum, Centre of the Universe, Passport to Science, Hatch Family Movies, & Central Saanich Fire Department

Annual Community BBQ – You're Invited!
2025-08-09 13:00 - 15:00 | Fernwood Community Centre, 1240 Gladstone Ave, Victoria, BC, V8T 1G6, Canada
📅 Saturday, August 9th
🕐 1:00–3:00 PM
📍 Fernwood Community Centre
Join us for an afternoon of good food, great music, and even better company at our annual Community BBQ!
Come together with friends old and new to celebrate community, connection, and the joy of summer.
🎶 Live Music
🌭 Delicious BBQ & Refreshments
💬 Meet new people & reconnect with friends
This free, all-ages event is open to everyone — whether you’ve been to our gatherings before or you’re brand new, we can’t wait to welcome you.
Come hungry, leave happy!

Play Time!
2025-08-11 11:00 - 12:30 | Memorial Park, 1200 Esquimalt Rd, Esquimalt, BC, V9A 3N8, Canada
When:

August 11, 11:00 am – 12:30 pm

Join us at the park for some fun outdoor activities. We will have lawn games, light sports equipment, etc. Come spend some time with us in the fresh air and sun!
This is a FREE park activity

Related links

Follow our Facebook Event for updates

Contact phone
250-412-8518

Contact email
events@esquimalt.ca

Contact name
Tara Silva

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

Special Woodstock 26th Year
2025-08-17 10:00 - 18:00 | Providence Farm, 1843 Tzouhalem Rd, North Cowichan, BC, V9L 5L6
Welcome to ‘Special Woodstock’
A Music Festival Like No Other!

“Special Woodstock” is a music festival that happens once a year on Vancouver Island, BC, Canada on the beautiful 140-acre property of
Providence Farm in Duncan, BC, Canada.
The date for this year’s event will be held on
Sunday, August 17, 2025
10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
The price?
Free!
No tickets are required, no entry fee.
How do we do it?
With help from The Lions Clubs of Vancouver Island and the surrounding Islands generous community businesses and YOU!
All donations, big and small add up to an amazing, heartwarming, inspiring Music Festival called
Special Woodstock
Join our Facebook Group to watch us live from all over the world.
Special Woodstock 2025
https://www.facebook.com/groups/238046300752413/
“Special Woodstock” was created to feature the artistic talents of people with disabilities alongside professional musicians on a community/world stage…
Founded in September 1999 by Shelley Vaags, who saw a need for a platform to be created to feature this incredible, courageous, inspiring,
and unique community of individuals.

Watch her documentary here to learn more: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pc94YY4QyTk

Make Pinback Buttons
2025-08-19 09:30 - 11:30 | Victoria Disability Resource Centre, 817A Fort Str., Victoria, BC, V8W 1H8, Canada
Join us on Tuesday August 19th from 9:30-11:30am, for a fun peer activity: making pinback buttons! This will be held at the Victoria Disability Resource Centre, located at 817A Fort Street.
We will have pre-printed designs and the materials to make your own design. If you are bringing your own materials or designs, please make sure the dimensions range between 1-3 inches.
Register for the group at the following link: https://forms.gle/rfaMTSmcMQm44LXK7
If you have any questions or require any accommodation, please email recreation@drcvictoria.com.
Image Description: A poster for the Making Pinback Buttons workshop, with examples of button designs people can make. All relevant info is in the above post.

YOUth Showcase
2025-08-26 18:30 - 20:00
Help Us Celebrate YOUth!
We are excited to be hosting our sixth annual Fed Family Summer Celebration, featuring our first YOUth Showcase:
Tues Aug 26, 2025, from 6:30 to 8PM.
Join us for an evening that celebrates the Fed’s amazing volunteers, 2-year members, and the accomplishments of our Fed Family.
Share Your Success
Are you a young person (ages 14-28) with care experience? Did you achieve a milestone recently? Send us your achievements to be celebrated during the YOUth Showcase!
We’ll be spotlighting achievements both big and small (e.g. receiving your first paycheck, buying a book you’ve wanted, learning to make a new dish, etc.). Submissions can be in written or visual format and the deadline to submit is August 22 at 9AM.

Family Day Block Party
2025-09-03 11:00 - 15:00 | Heritage Acres, 7321 Lochside Dr, Saanichton, BC, V8M 1W4, Canada
You’re invited to family day hosted by the Aboriginal Coalition to End Homelessness Society. A dry (alcohol-free) event filled with laughter, connection, and fun for all ages! Free entry with can food donations!
When:
September 3, 2025
Time:
11 AM to 3 PM
Where:
7321 Lochside Dr. , Saanichton BC

Art Exploration for Grief and Loss
2025-09-04 18:00 - 2025-09-25 20:00 | 55 Activity Centre, 1201 Village Way, Squamish, BC, V8B 0R7, Canada
The Sea to Sky Hospice Society is running a 4-week Art Exploration group for grief and loss. This free program is a safe and inclusive space to experiment with art while processing a range of emotional responses to grief. There are 8 spots available.
Join volunteer Art Exploration facilitators Grace and Jani for four sessions as they help to “draw out” the expression of grief and loss through the use of mixed art materials. Participants will benefit from facilitated peer support and the opportunity to express grief without words, in this small group.
Registration is required. To register, please email Jody, Client Services Coordinator, at jody.kramer@seatoskyhospicesociety.ca
Location:
55+ Centre Art Room
1201 Village Green Way
Squamish, BC
Thursdays, September 4 to 25, 2025, from 6:00 to 8:00pm

Let's Celebrate Grandparents
2025-09-07 11:00 - 15:00 | Slocan Park, 2750 E 29th Ave, Vancouver, BC, Canada
Bring your blankets, folding chairs, and the whole family for a delightful day filled with fun, laughter, live music, games, delicious food, prizes and so much more!
Enjoy a delicious FREE meal from the Yo-Bones BBQ Food Truck (while supplies last). Bring your lawn chairs and enjoy a musical performance from Burnaby’s favourite rock band, Rainshadow!

As well as…
Fun games and Activities
Live Music
Door Prizes
50/50 Prize Draw
Community Services Information Tables

September 7, 2025
11:00 am – 3:00 pm
Slocan Park, 2750 E 29th Ave
Vancouver, BC

RSVP TODAY!

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.

Drop-in Floor Hockey for Individuals with Diverse Abilities
2025-09-17 13:00 - 14:30 | SJ Willis High School, 923 Topaz Avenue, Victoria, BC, V8T 2M2, Canada

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
