Osanis Inclusion Services Inc.

Food For Thought
2025-02-06 16:00 - 2025-03-13 18:30 (America/Vancouver) | Family Centre, 511 Constance Ave, Victoria, BC, V9A 6N5, Canada
Individual Youth and Family support and education (13 – 18 years) appointments. We promote family and community capacity to protect and support youth and their families through access to supportive counselling, intervention, mediation, parent education, system navigation, outreach and referral. We aim to build upon youth (13 – 18 years) and family strengths, improve family relationships and the understanding of teen development.

Creating a Culture of Care Webinar
2025-02-06 12:00 - 13:00 | Virtual Event
For Community Social Services

Join us for an insightful one-hour webinar focused on two valuable resources designed to enhance mental health outcomes and foster a psychologically safe workplace in the Community Social Services (CSS) sector. In this session, participants will gain an understanding of psychological health and safety, why it’s critical for organizational well-being, and how they can utilize the Community Social Services Health and Safety Association’s (CSSHSA) Wellness Exchange Program and the Pulse Check tool to support their teams. This webinar will equip you with practical tools to create a more resilient, supportive environment for employees across the sector.

By the end of this webinar, participants will be able to:

Understand the CSSHSA Wellness Exchange Program and how it provides tools, resources, and support to enhance well-being and professional resilience for employees in the Community Social Services sector.
Identify the benefits of the Pulse Check tool for leaders, including how it can help assess organizational psychosocial health and safety, and identify gaps and areas for improvement.
Apply insights from the Wellness Exchange Program to foster mental health, well-being, and resilience within teams.
Evaluate current practices for supporting employee mental health and well-being and use the Pulse Check tool to make data-driven decisions for improvement.
Integrate the Wellness Exchange Program and Pulse Check tool as key components of your organizational toolkit to create a supportive and healthy workplace environment.

Our Presenter

Suncha Satney is a Workplace Psychological Health and Safety Consultant at CSSHSA. She is passionate about guiding organizations in creating environments where people feel their best and do their best work. With many years of experience in Community Social Services as a frontline worker and Clinical Counselor, she brings awareness, education, and strategies to support workplace mental health within the sector. She is a CMHA Certified Psychological Health and Safety Advisor.

Register Here

Parenting Workshop
2025-02-05 10:00 - 11:30 | Virtual Event
What are Parenting Workshops?

Parenting Workshops are free, interactive, and informative online workshops on a variety of parenting topics. These workshops provide parents and caregivers with practical strategies for supporting the development of their children.
This workshop supports families by exploring expectations and boundaries.

Brave In Your Body
2025-02-03 16:00 - 17:30, 2025-01-27 16:00 - 17:30, 2025-01-20 16:00 - 17:30, 2025-01-13 16:00 - 17:30 | Virtual Event
A safe and inclusive virtual space to explore your relationship with body image.

Understanding Disordered Eating: How to Support The Youth In Your Life
2025-02-01 10:30 - 12:00 | Virtual Event
Learn from our panel of youth with lived experiences and our moderator, Carmen Kaufmann, an eating disorder specialist. This free event is open to parents, caregivers, youth, professionals, family, and friends.
Through this event you will:

Understand the factors that influence disordered eating
Learn how to identify warning signs for disordered eating
Hear how youth cope with social media, fat shaming, diet culture and more
Learn how to support and start the conversation about disordered eating and body image

Saturday, February 1, 2025, 10:30-12 pm Online
For more information, contact our Embody team directly at embody@familyservices.bc.ca, or go to embodybc.com
Embody is here to explore common questions and concerns about disordered eating, body image, mental health, self-compassion, and more. Embody equips BC parents and professionals with trusted resources to support young people before they develop an eating disorder.
Please ensure that you have a confidential space to attend.
When registering, please make sure to fill out the questionnaire and include any queries you may have for our youth panel.
Shortly after registration, you will receive a confirmation email. You will NOT receive a link to the event upon registration confirmation. Your link will be emailed to you via Eventbrite, 3 hours prior to event. Please note that you will also receive reminder emails in the lead up to the event.

Greater Victoria Hiring and Post-Secondary Education Expo 2025
2025-01-30 11:00 - 15:00 | Bay Street Armoury, 715 Bay Street, Victoria, B.C., Canada
COME AND MEET US IN PERSON!
FREE Tickets are available for the Greater Victoria Hiring & Post-Secondary Education Expo 2025!
WHO SHOULD ATTEND? – Anyone looking for a new career or post-secondary education options.

Date: January 30, 2025Time: 11 AM – 3 PM
Location: Bay Street Armoury, Victoria, B.C.

Get a Free Ticket & see the List of Exhibitors:careerexpos.blackpress.ca/victoria1-202

SEXABA
2025-01-30 09:00 - 2025-03-23 23:50 | Virtual Event
Happy SexABA 2025! Join us for our 5th annual year, online starting Saturday Feb 01, 2025 through Sunday Feb 02, 2024 for a full two day Conference on sexual behavior, sexuality, and gender through a lens of neurodiversity affirmation, harm reduction, and human rights. Can’t make it live online? All recordings will be available until March 31, 2025.
Also consider also joining us online Thursday Jan 30, 2025 and Friday Jan 31, 2025 for four 3hr live, interactive Pre-Conference Workshops. Can’t make it live online? All recordings of workshops will also be available until March 31, 2025.
12 BACB CEUs will be available across the 2 day Conference, and an additional 12 BACB CEUs will be available across the 4 Pre-Conference Workshops, for a total of 24 possible BACB CEUs across all conference offerings.
All BACB CEUs will be available for both live online attendance, as well as asynchronous online attendance.
Really want to be here, but can’t do the ticket price? Reach out to info@sexaba.com to inquire about our scholarships.
If you have any questions about the conference, you can also reach us at info@sexaba.com!
We can’t wait to see you!

Drop-in Floor Hockey for Individuals with Diverse Abilities (18yrs+)
2025-01-29 13:00 - 14:30, 2025-01-22 13:00 - 14:30, 2025-01-15 13:00 - 14:30, 2025-01-08 13:00 - 14:30, 2024-12-18 13:00 - 14:30, 2024-12-11 13:00 - 14:30 | SJ Willis High School, 923 Topaz Avenue, Victoria, BC, V8T 2M2, Canada
This is a FREE event. Participants of all levels and abilities welcome!
All the equipment is provided and all that is needed is athletic wear and water bottle.
This is an opportunity to meet others, be active and have fun. It is held every Wednesday from 1:00 – 2:30 at SJ Willis Educational Center in Victoria. If an individual has a support worker, they are welcome to come as well.
Please note: The volunteer staff does no personal care.
At SJ Willis, the gym is huge and if you want to just come and hang out in the gym during this time without playing floor hockey, this is also an option.
When: Every Wednesday from 1:30pm to 2:30pm
Where: SJ Willis High School (Gym)
2970 Glasgow St,
Victoria, BC
V8T 5B9

Gender Marvelous
2025-01-28 12:00 - 13:00, 2025-01-14 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!
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

Learn About Support Worker Central
2025-01-28 10:00 - 11:00 | BC
Date & Time

Jan 28, 2025 10:00 AM in Vancouver

Description
Support Worker Central is a province-wide job board where people with disabilities and their families can find support staff, and people looking for work can find a job supporting someone with a disability. There are over 1400 job seekers currently utilizing the job board. Learn more at www.supportworkercentral.ca. 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

Y Mind Downtown - Information Session
2025-01-24 15:00 - 2025-02-07 16:00 | Virtual Event
The Y Mind Groups offer a free 7-week in-person psychoeducational and support group for youth ages 13-30 who experience stress, worry or anxiety. Participants learn healthy coping skills, connect with other young people in the community, and get support all in a safe and friendly environment. Programming is supervised by trained mental health professionals. Free gym membership while in the program.
Registration in the program is separate. Please note that attendance in all program sessions is required.

Webinar: Strategies for Coping with Anxiety
2025-01-15 12:00 - 13:00 | Virtual Event
This webinar is tailored for professionals in the Community Social Services (CSS) sector looking to deepen their understanding of anxiety and gain practical strategies for coping. Whether you’re a frontline worker or a manager, this session will provide valuable insights into the nature and function of anxiety, as well as evidence-based, easy-to-apply techniques for managing it. Join us to explore ways to support yourself and others in navigating anxiety, both within the workplace and beyond.

By the end of this webinar, participants will be able to:

Understand what anxiety is and how it impacts us mentally and physically.
Recognize the distinction between normal anxiety and anxiety disorders.
Apply the Cognitive Model to understand the connection between thoughts, emotions, and behaviors.
Implement practical, easy-to-use strategies for managing anxiety, including mindfulness and grounding techniques.
Identify common challenges in managing anxiety in both personal and professional contexts.

Our Presenter

Suncha Satney is a Workplace Psychological Health and Safety Consultant at CSSHSA. She is passionate about guiding organizations in creating environments where people feel their best and do their best work. With many years of experience in Community Social Services as a frontline worker and Clinical Counselor, she brings awareness, education, and strategies to support workplace mental health within the sector. She is a CMHA Certified Psychological Health and Safety Advisor.

EMBRACE: Winter Programs
2025-01-09 10:00 - 10:45 | BC
Embrace runs a variety of arts based classes for children, teens, and adults of all abilities. Some of these classes are run independently by Embrace and some are run in collaboration with other fantastic local organizations based in the CRD.

Sessional Classes

In-Person Sessionals Classes

Embrace: Dance Sampler
In this sessional class, we’ll be exploring a wide variety of different dance styles including:
Tap, Jazz, Musical Theatre, Contemporary, and more! It’s a great opportunity to try out new dance styles (or enjoy a mix of those you already know and love!)
This class is designed for individuals of all abilities. There will be seated and standing variations of all dance moves demonstrated if required.

Program Details
– Thursday mornings from 10:00 – 10:45am
– January 9, 16, 30, February 6 and 13, 2025
– This program is open for individuals of all abilities ages 14 and up.
– At Dance Victoria (2750 Quadra St)
– Registration for this program by donation, thanks to the generous support of the Pass – Timothy 6:18 Fund. No registration fee is required.

Register Here

Movement and Music with Tiffany & Erin
This intergenerational class is designed for individuals of all abilities to get moving together. It’s a space for friends and family to playfully connect through dance and music based activities.
Program Details
– Wednesday afternoons from 3:45pm to 4:30pm
– January 8, 15, 22, and 29, 2025
– This intergenerational program is open for individuals of all abilities ages 5 and up.
– Dancers under the age of 13 are asked to attend with a family member or support.
– At Vic West Community Centre (521 Craigflower Rd)
– Registration for this program by donation, thanks to the generous support of the Pass – Timothy 6:18 Fund. No registration fee is required.

Register Here

Online Sessional Classes

Music Jam with Erin

Music Jam with Erin is an intergenerational online program centered on music and community. Participants are invited to sing and dance along at home or simply enjoy listening to a wide variety of live and recorded music. The program also includes opportunities to make song requests and share weekly highlights. It is a fun, joy-filled space to connect through music.

No previous musical experience required. Open nationally to individuals of all ages.

Program Details
– Tuesday afternoons from 3:30pm to 4:30pm PST
– 10 weeks of program total running from January 7th to March 25th, 2025.
(Note: There is no Music Jam on Feb. 18th or 25th)
– Online via Zoom
– This class is open for individuals of all ages and abilities
– $40.00 for the sessional
Register Here

Circle of Security - Free Workshop for Parents
2025-01-09 08:00 - 17:00 | BC
This workshop will help parents and caregivers to:

– Understand a child’s emotional world by learning to read emotional needs
– Supporting the child’s ability to successfully manage emotions
– Enhance the development of a child’s self esteem

Next 8 Week Session Starts: Tuesday January 21st
Time: 1O-113Oam
Location: 345 Wale Rd Boardroom
For Registration Contact: Reachelle Wolfe – rwuolle@thrivevictoria.org

Parents Together Program
2025-01-07 18:30 - 20:30 | BC
Boys & Girls Club – (BGC) Parents Together Program (13-19yrs) Sometimes parenting challenges can feel overwhelming. This program is for parents of teens and provides ongoing support. 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.

Topics include:

Attachment and relationship-based practices
Communication and 6 critical messages
Developmental changes in pre-adolescence
Adolescent brain development
Boundaries, and turning over responsibility as appropriate
Self-care – taking back your life
Adolescent mental health
Substance use and teens

Date: Tuesdays, Ongoing – Daytime 12-1:30PM (Online) or Evening 6:30-8PM (In-Person)
Cost: Free
Register: https://bgcsvi.org/programs/parenting/

Connect Parenting Program
2025-01-07 12:00 - 2025-03-11 13:30 | BC
Connect Parenting Program: is an evidence-based 10-week attachment-based program that helps parents support youth. This program is for families and caregivers of children ages 8-15 with depression, anxiety, and/or intense emotional difficulties. Or children who are getting into trouble and having severe behavioral difficulties.

Dates & Times: Tuesdays Jan 7 through to and including March 11 from 12-130pm in person
Information:https://www.connectattachmentprograms.org/
To Register: Sylvia Mason: smason@thrivevictoria.org or Haley Kimmel: hkimmel@thrivevictoria.org
Cost: Free

Community Days
2025-01-06 10:00 - 2025-01-12 18:00 | Royal BC Museum, 675 Belleville Str, Victoria, B.C., V8W 9W2
Community Days are back at the Royal BC Museum!
From January 6–12, enjoy admission-by-donation and explore the galleries.

Ignite conversation about the everyday products you grew up with Canadian Modern – a stunning exhibition of Canadian mid-century design 🖼️
Check out Forgotten Landscapes – a new exhibit featuring beautiful recently rediscovered paintings from the early 1900s
Rediscover old favorites like Old Town, New Approach and HMS Discovery
Immerse yourself in the coastal rainforest, visit the tide pools and see who’s living in the Ocean Station

Plus, join us for Letter Writing Week (Jan 9–13) and relax at various wellness stations in collaboration with Destination Greater Victoria for ‘A Wellness Getaway in Victoria”
Don’t miss this chance to rediscover your provincial museum and support the important work that we do.

Y Mind Teen (13-18)
2025-01-04 17:45 - 18:30 | BC
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.
For participants Ages 13 – 18 and Ages 18 – 30
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.
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.
For more information and registration, go here: https://vancouverislandy.com/program-services/community-health/mental-wellness/
We invite you to attend information sessions for Winter Teen (ages 13-18) on Tuesday evenings at the Downtown Y and Wednesday evenings at Westhills. The information sessions and groups will be held in person at both locations.
Y Mind Teen (13-18) | Upcoming program times and dates:

In person – Downtown Victoria YMCA-YWCA
851 Broughton St.

Information & Intake Sessions:
Tuesday January 14 and January 21st, 2025
5:45-6:30pm
Individual intake sessions after the info session

Group Program Dates:
Weekly on Tuesdays, February 4- March 18th, 2025
6:00-7:30pm (In person)
Virtual sessions:

Online via Zoom (offered through partner and other Y sites across BC)
Program Dates:
Dates TBA
Information & Intake Sessions:
Email Lana at mindfulness@vancouverislandy.ca
* note your interest in an online group.

In person – Westhills Association Services office
202-1314 Lakepoint Way
Information & Intake Sessions:
Wednesday Jan 15th and Jan 22nd, 2025
5:45-6:30 pm
Individual intake sessions after the info session

Group Program Dates:
Weekly on Wednesdays, January 29th– March 12th, 2025
6:00-7:30pm (In person)
Youth groups will be offered in the Spring at the Downtown Y.

If you are interested in a Westshore Youth group, please contact Pacific Centre Family Services.

Now What? A beginning conversation to support families moving from reacting to responding when our kids begin experimenting with substances
2024-12-11 18:30 - 20:00, 2024-12-10 18:30 - 20:00 | Virtual Event
ONLINE EVENT: Now What? A beginning conversation to support families moving from reacting to responding when our kids begin experimenting with substances.
Learning that our kids are trying substances can be scary. As families, we are a valuable resource to help them navigate the choices they are making, but it can be hard to know how to respond. This video introduces parents and caregivers to some ways that can help us move from reacting to our fears about substance use and towards a more thoughtful response that supports connection with our kids.
Victoria Keddis, a parent with lived experience hosts a conversation with Douglas Hardie a Registered Clinical Counsellor and Program Coordinator with Island Health supporting Child, Youth and Family Mental Health and Substance Use Programs.
Come together and watch a video presentation and stay for a facilitated conversation by our Family Peer Support Workers.
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.

Register Here
Watch video now: https://youtu.be/Qhqrbrw62Tg?si=Hpl_QjjBu2ph6-1D

Suicide Education & Awareness (SEA) - For Adults
2024-12-10 18:30 - 20:00 | Virtual Event
SEA: For Adults is a 90 minute 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.

In this workshop we will discuss the stigma that surrounds suicide, the importance of normalizing conversations around the topic and how we can support those around us that may be struggling.

December 10th, 6:30-8pm
Delivered over zoom
$25/person

Please email communityeducation@need2.ca to register.
