How We Got Started

The Village came together in response to the growing community social service needs of one of the fastest growing regions of British Columbia and the shared recognition that a regional, collaborative approach is required, with fewer silos and greater coordination of services.

It Takes a Village

The Village took root when the Sooke School District and Island Health started a conversation with community partners, including local governments, recognizing that the health and wellbeing of children, youth, and families are best supported through an all-hands-on-deck approach – a Village. The urgency of our mission has only been underscored by the global pandemic and its impact on children, youth, and families. Read our Terms of Reference here.

 

Communities don’t flourish in isolation. When we are engaged, inclusive and working together to support the health and wellbeing of children, youth, and families – that is how we flourish.

Ravi Parmar, MLA, Langford-Highlands

Contributing to the common good is a way of life for Westshore Masons – and as such we are delighted to work with the Village and in particular provide much needed space to support increased health and social services for the community. We applaud the work of the Village to bring together service providers, municipalities, funders and all, as we work together in service to a healthy, vibrant community.

David Cronkhite, Secretary/Treasurer and Masonic Centre Project Co-Lead
Westshore Masonic Hall Association

Promoting the health and well-being of children, youth and families requires a regional, collaborative and upstream approach. Island Health is grateful for the work of Village and the vital role it plays in facilitating synergies across sectors and municipalities to help address the conditions that promote health.

Dr. Murray Fyfe, Medical Health Officer
Island Health

The collaborative approach of The Village Initiative (TVI) to address the growing health and well-being needs of children, youth, and families in the rapidly growing West Shore and Sooke region is an extremely important part of our social community fabric. I am pleased to fully support and participate in the work of the TVI. Let’s set the example and become leaders in the success of this endeavour.

Doug Kobayashi, Mayor,
City of Colwood

The Village Initiative plays a pivotal role in bringing organizations across the Western Communities together to identify needs and amplify solutions to promote the health and wellbeing of children, youth and families across communities. Their convening role has ensured services are aware of one another to create more holistic care for those who need it. They have also done impressive work gathering information and using it to advocate for increased supports and services in the Western Communities. Their collective approach is key to addressing some of our most pressing needs.

Kirsten Mah, Community Health Network Coordinator
Capital Regional District

The Sooke School District is committed to promoting the health and well-being of our students, which is why we joined forces with Island Health to help establish The Village Initiative as a regional resource network. The Village is making a positive impact by bringing community organizations and local governments together to collaborate on the regional planning of social services and to improve the coordination of vital services which help children, youth and families thrive.

Paul Block, Superintendent/CEO
Sooke School District

What will our community look like when children, youth and families are reaching their full potential? The Village Initiative is committed to making this a reality. With the West Shore and Sooke region growing so quickly, it is imperative that social service agencies work together to best serve community needs. Now more than ever, we need to be coordinated and strategic in how we deliver services. I am proud of the strong working relationships The Village has among community leaders, and that Thrive is part of this important work.

Scott Bradford, Executive Director
Thrive Social Services Society