About Us

Our History

Nanaimo Family Life Association was founded in 1967 as the first family counselling centre to operate in British Columbia. It is a non-profit, charitable organization with employees, volunteers, and volunteer Board of Directors.

Our Purpose

Nanaimo Family Life Association was established to enhance the quality of life for families living in Nanaimo and area by providing support, educational, preventative programs and referral services to the community. Today our clients and staff comfortably refer to our agency as "Family Life", because we support families during times of need throughout the entire span of life.

Our Commitment

We maintain the highest standards of professional service and assist many individuals each year including children, youth and families.

Our Mission

Nanaimo Family Life Association (NFLA) is a community-based charitable organization that provides services intended to strengthen families and support the development of healthy relationships.
The mission of Nanaimo Family Life Association is:
To provide support to families to achieve their full potential through all stages of life.
To promote healthy family life as the heart of a strong and resilient community.
To protect and promote the rights of children, parents, caregivers, and families.
To model diversity, inclusion, respect, co-operation, compassion and peace in all of our activities and relationships.
Our Values and Principles

1. Relationships are the foundation of growth.
We work with individuals in the context of their primary relationships and community.
Workers build relationships with clients, modeling and opening lines of communication in a non-threatening way.
2. A "family" is defined by its members.
We provide service to all types of families, as defined by their members, without discrimination.
3. Diversity is a source of strength in families and in the community.
We welcome everyone.
We ask about and show respect for client' cultural beliefs.
We strive to reflect the diversity of the community.
4. Social services should be affordable and accessible.
We serve clients through affordable, accessible services supported by a diverse funding base.
5. Clients have a right to self-determination and choice.
We offer people information and tools, and we respect their choice about whether to use them.
6. Everyone has the potential for personal growth.
We build on strengths; empowering people to know their potential for change, for goals, achievement, and wellness.
7. Individual rights must be upheld.
We practice service provision in accordance with the principles of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms and the Declaration of the Rights of the Child.
Where possible, the voice of people affected informs decision-making.
8. Families are affected by health of their community.
We build community and advocate at the systemic level to advance the interests of families.
9. The community is affected by the health of families.
We provide support to families, encouraging healthy relationships across multiple generations.
10. Prevention and early intervention are more cost-effective than crisis intervention.
We are proactive; taking our skills into schools, wellness programs, and other settings.
11. Teamwork can improve effectiveness.
Staff listen to each other.
We form multi-stakeholder committees (Board, staff and community members).
12. Partnerships among agencies can create stronger services.
We coordinate, consult and co-operate with other agencies.