Our most recent Early Years Development Indicator (EDI) results showed that one of our Campbell River neighbourhoods had changed dramatically. EDI vulnerability rates had jumped from approximately 11% vulnerable in 2004/05 of the EDI up to 38% vulnerable in 2006/07.

In consultation with our community, we realized that rising housing prices had pushed low income families into the south of our Region and separated them from low income services and resources designed to support them. In response our community asked BC Housing to provide us with a minimal $10/year lease to restore a defunct child care centre in one of our southern neighbourhood’s low income housing projects.

Multiple services and agencies (Laichwiltach, CR Family Services, Parks and Rec, FASD Key Worker, VIHA and many others) offered to provide programming in this centre and to create a Family Support Centre. The Centre includes an Aboriginal preschool program, youth programs, demonstration kitchens, Strong Start, Family Place, super-Saturday activities for children and a dad’s group/evening.

This project is funded by Success By 6, School District 72, and Campbell River Literacy Now. Our EDI results allowed us to see where help was needed, and the dramatic need these EDI results showed called our community to action and made our proposal to BC Housing credible.