Nanaimo offers a wide variety of supports for families with babies, toddlers, children and youth.
Helpful Links
Pregnancy, Infant & Toddler supports
LRCA Born Healthy Program: Support and education program for pregnant individuals and parents/caregivers with babies up to 9 months of age.
Mid-Island Babywearers Lending Library: Offer a wide variety of infant and toddler carriers on loan, as well as practical support.
Tillicum Lelum Building Better Babies Program: Pregnancy outreach program that works with families who are pregnant or have babies from birth to 6 months of age.
Tillicum Lelum Creating Healthy Families Program: Drop-in parenting program for parents with children aged 0-6 years. The goal of this program is to support families in nurturing the physical, emotional, mental and spiritual health of their children.
Tillicum Lelum: Young Aboriginal Mother’s Transitional Housing Program for new/expectant young Aboriginal Moms and their children who are homeless or at risk of homelessness in the Nanaimo region.
Island Health Right From the Start: Offers support for pregnant people and new parents, their babies, children and families. Program services are offered by experienced and caring public health nurses who will work in partnership with clients.
Island Health Baby Bed Program: Free bassinet constructed of heavy cardboard with a mattress insert provided.
Island Health Smart Mom Program: Sends three texts/week to help guide women through pregnancy.
Nanaimo Community Kitchens Bellies to Babies Program: Cooking program for pregnant individuals, first-time parents, and young families.
Thrifty Foods Baby Be Healthy Program: Free prenatal vitamins
Footprints Infertility & Pregnancy Loss Support Initiative: Free mental health support bags for grieving parents, Facebook support group, online resources.
Nanaimo Youth Services Association – Supporting Young Parents and Families program: Provides support to young parents (between the ages of 15 and 29) navigate pregnancy, birth, and post partum.
Infant & Toddler playgroups
LAFF Ladysmith Family & Friends Programs: Drop-in programs offering an opportunity to gather and connect with other families and LaFF facilitators, build community, play and engage in activities as well as access LaFF’s free clothing exchange and food pantry.
LRCA Mother Goose Program: Free Interactive Caregiver and Child program of song, rhymes and stories provided for children who are newborn to five years old.
Salvation Army Busy Bees Family Play Group: Caregivers and their tots aged 0 to 5 (not yet in kindergarten) are welcome to come and play! Tuesdays 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Nanaimo Child Development Centre Drop-In Playgroup: Indoor/Outdoor playgroup on Tues and Thurs mornings 9am to 11:30am.
StrongStart Early Learning Centre: Drop-in school-based, free, drop-in program for families with young children (aged birth to five).
Recreational resources
City of Nanaimo LEAP Program: Supports families in financial need to access Parks, Recreation and Culture programs and services.
City of Nanaimo Active Pass Program: Free admissions to swimming, skating and drop-in gym for grade 5 and 6 students.
Vancouver Island Regional Library: Three locations in Nanaimo that offer programming, free borrowing of countless types of materials, and access to a wide variety of technology.
Athletics for Kids: Pays basic registration fees for approved sports, up to an annual maximum of $450 per child aged 5 to 18.
Kidsport Nanaimo: Provides grants to help cover the costs of sport registration fees for kids aged 18 and under.
Canadian Tire Jumpstart Individual Grants: Financial assistance for families with children aged 4-18 to enroll in a sport or physical activity.
Vibe Bikes Nanaimo: Provides free refurbished bikes for children in Nanaimo.
Educational resources
Sarah Mclachlan School Of Music: These classes are open to kids, teens or adults who are looking to advance their musical learning. With over 50 free classes in 12 different categories, enroll yourself in a free course today. Learn a new instrument, music notes, theory, singing, or more.
Lego Canada: Free magazine subscription mailed to the child’s home 5 times a year. Best for ages 5 to 9.
Nanaimo Science: Offers free outdoor activities for families, as well as free sponsored programs for children indoors. Follow their social media for updates about free events.
Child supports
LRCA Dad’s Drop-In: Saturday-morning program with facilitator features special dad times either together as a group or one-on-one upon request.
Generation Health: Free program for children ages 8 to 12: Program for families with children aged 8 to 12-years-old who want to be on a healthy lifestyle path.
Parent Support Services: Offers free, online, anonymous, and confidential self-help groups providing parents and caregivers with a safe space.
B.A.C.A Bikers Against Child Abuse: Can fund therapy or cover extra-curricular activity fees for children recovering from abuse. All cases must be documented with law enforcement prior to application for support.
Risebridge – Birthday Program: If you’d like to request a birthday cake kit for your child’s special day, please email us at: risebridgeproject@gmail.com Pick-up Information: When: Tuesday mornings, between 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Where: Risebridge – 520 Prideaux St. Please note, we are unable to offer drop-offs at this time.
Nanaimo Child Development Centre Family Resource Navigator: Provide information about community resources such as financial, social, health, parenting and special needs.
Supports for families with disabled children
CKNW Kids’ Fund accepts grant applications from both individual families and organizations in BC that are focused on children’s programs and special projects.
The Family Support Institute of BC (FSI): is a provincial non-profit society dedicated to empowering and supporting families who have a family member with a disability. As the only grassroots, family-to-family organization of its kind in Canada, FSI stands out with its extensive and passionate volunteer network that provides peer-to-peer support, information, events and training and community. FSI’s supports and services are FREE for families across British Columbia.
BC Ferries Accessible Fare Identification Card Application: Discounted fares are available for residents of British Columbia who have a permanent disability. To receive the discounted fare you must apply for a BC Ferries’ Accessible Fare Identification Card and present your card to the Ticket Agent when you arrive at the terminal.
Easter Seals Access 2 Card Program: When an Access 2 cardholder (the individual with the permanent disability) presents their valid Access 2 Card at any participating venue partner, their support person receives free admission; the cardholder pays regular admission.
Children’s Health Foundation of Vancouver Island – Bear Essentials: Bear Essentials is a referral-only family support program that assists with the costs of health-related travel and equipment for Island kids. The program is designed for families that struggle to afford the associated costs or that have barriers limiting their ability to access health care or equipment for their child. A health care professional familiar with a child’s needs and family circumstances must complete the online application on their behalf, with the consent of the applicant’s parent or primary guardian.
Variety – the Children’s Charity of BC: For over 58 years, Variety – the Children’s Charity of BC has been stepping in where healthcare ends to provide vital support for children with disabilities and complex health needs across British Columbia. With donor support, we respond when gaps in the system are identified. The result is life-changing, we enable children to reach their unique potential.
Ministry of children & family development: Children and youth with support needs – Province of British Columbia (gov.bc.ca)
Island Health Resources for families: Resources for Families | Island Health
Nanaimo BC Transit – handyDART Contact: An accessible, door-to-door shared transit service for people with permanent or temporary disabilities that prevent them from using fixed-route transit without assistance from another person.
Federal Disability Tax Credit: Disability tax credit (DTC) – Canada.ca
Humanitarian Foundation – Dental Care for Children with Special Needs: program provides dental care to children under 21 with conditions like cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, intellectual disabilities, and those awaiting or having received organ transplants. This program acts as secondary insurance or primary if no insurance is available, covering costs up to the Humanitarian Foundation’s maximum allowable fees. Applications are facilitated by local “Drs. of Smiles” from Grottoes International, who assist with paperwork and maintain contact throughout the child’s care. If a local representative isn’t available, applications can be processed directly through the Humanitarian Foundation. (Medicaid patients are not covered.)
Poverty Advocacy Nanaimo 