About Us
Our History
NANAIMO FAMILY LIFE ASSOCIATION
1967
Nanaimo Family Life Association (NFLA) was founded in 1967 as a non-profit
private society registered in British Columbia under the Society Act. It
was the first Family Life centre to operate in BC. A drop– in counselling
center at 195 Commercial Street was established, and at the time it was
staffed by 12 volunteer counsellors (mainly Ministers and Social Workers)
and a board of 15 Directors.
1974
In 1974 NFLA moved to 311 Fitzwilliam St. where under the eaves of St. Andrews
United Church, NFLA continued to grow and evolve to meet the ever-changing
needs of the Nanaimo community. During this time NFLA was also an umbrella
organization helping other well-known present-day community agencies to
grow their own wings. These agencies included: Nanaimo Youth Services Association,
Meals on Wheels, Nanaimo Women’s Resource Centre, Haven Society, Youth Hostel,
Crisis Centre, Big Brothers, Nanaimo Volunteer Centre, and Parents in Crisis.
1979
While continuing to offer a range of volunteer counselling, personal growth
and parenting group services, NFLA entered into contractual agreements with
the Ministry of Child and Family Development which involved offering child
and youth services in the schools and in the community. This led to the
hiring of a number of professional Child and Youth Care Workers who collaborated
with NFLA volunteer services and worked with children and families within
the School District.
1984
In 1984 NFLA moved to 1619 Townsite Road. Because of the severity of the
cases being funneled through NFLA, an intensive training two-year program
for the new volunteer counsellors was implemented in cooperation with Malaspina
College. The focus of the programs being offered changed from self-help
drop-in to short term educational programs in response to needs identified
by staff and volunteers.
1987
In 1987, after a 6 month long capital-fund raising campaign, NFLA purchased
and relocated to a permanent home at 1070 Townsite Road. This relocation
was made possible because of generous support of individual donors and a
variety of local community groups. A large meeting room, newly-renovated
through funding from the Altrusa Society, was made available to community
groups that required a meeting space. At this time, NFLA also developed
some community programs based outside of the agency, such as the Teen Learning
Centre (TLC.)
2002
Between 2002 and 2004, NFLA made significant program changes in response
to changing community needs. Overall, contracted programs continued to grow
and, as requested by MCFD, in 2003 several of the programs were surveyed
by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) to
ensure professional standards were being met. The agency met these standards
and was accredited by CARF.
2007
After ongoing budgetary discussions with the Ministry of Child and Family
Development, the Board decided to terminate contractual relationships with
MCFD which resulted in a significant reduction of services and the termination
of many staff positions. Contracts with the Vancouver Health Authority continued
to fund the Senior Peer Counselling Program and a Grandparents Re-parenting
Group. The agency experienced a period of financial and organizational stress.
However, through funding from the United Way and Gaming, the Volunteer Counselling
Program continued to be strong.
2010
Following two years of significant changes both on the Board and with staff,
a strong, new Board was established and the agency hired a new Executive
Director. During the past year, the agency has evolved once again into a
stable organization. After a period of some uncertainty, there is a feeling
of excitement about the positive energy and the growth of some exciting
new programs. We work in close cooperation with a number of community agencies
and have a signed partnership with Nanaimo Youth Services Association. At
the heart of all the offerings is the Volunteer Counselling Program which
continues, after more than 40 years, to provide needed counselling by trained
volunteers.
Our Purpose
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 commitment
We maintain high standards of professional service and assist many individuals each year including children, youth and families.
Our Mission
• 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, cooperation, compassion and peace in all our activities and relationships
Our Objectives
• To provide effective assessment and referral services to families and their individual members.
• To create and provide opportunities for consultation, counselling guidance and assistance to individuals and families, either independently or in groups.
• To develop and maintain preventive and self-help services, through the utilization of volunteer counsellors and self-help programs.
• To act as advocates on matters affecting the welfare of children and families.
• To co-operate and consult with other agencies, organizations and the community towards meeting NFLA objectives.
• To support and conduct research, educational and training programs designed to address the complex problems that confront families.