The Centre for Community Outreach and Care is based in the Faculty of Health and Human Services at Vancouver Island University. Since the university is situated in the Harewood community, the Centre is in a prime position to serve the local residents through quality assessment and programming. Harewood is a unique community whose largest population sector is youth aged 15-24 with an area that has a large percentage of low income individuals resulting in poverty and social issues and a need for services. The mission of the Center for Community Outreach and Care is to provide meaningful learning opportunities for students who are committed to working with children, youth and families in their communities. The impetus for the center came from a strong desire of faculty to create enriched practical learning experiences for students which would be advantageous to the community and reduce the demand while simultaneously providing child, youth and family focused programs to the Nanaimo Harewood community. The Centre for Community Outreach and Care was approved by HHS Faculty Council in June 2013; supporting the centre’s vision to promote excellence in child and youth care practice, education and research.
Contact: Ashleigh Martinflatt