Supporting Q̓ʷalayu House on Vancouver Island

In 2021, the Children’s Health Foundation of Vancouver Island (CHFVI) expanded their support for families from remote communities unable to obtain health care where they live by opening a second home away from home in Campbell River. 

Q̓ʷalayu House welcomed more than 50 families who travelled to Campbell River for pediatric or maternal care in its first six months of operation. For pregnant women and mothers who have just given birth, staying here in a safe and culturally sensitive environment close to a hospital made a huge difference.

“I felt comfortable parenting my two-year-old and allowing him to be a kid while staying there,” said one North island mom who remained at Q̓ʷalayu House for over a week past her due date. “He went downstairs to the playroom and up to our room independently, and the Q̓ʷalayu House staff was always nice and had conversations with him.”

To acknowledge our newly expanded Vancouver Island Community Board, TELUS Friendly Future Foundation has donated $50,000 to the CHFVI to help build Q̓ʷalayu House. Its ten rooms can now support families in need in a safe and welcoming space. 

“TELUS has provided extraordinary support to our Homes Away from Home program, helping us open the doors of Jeneece Place a decade ago and of Q̓ʷalayu House in 2021,” says Children’s Health Foundation of Vancouver Island CEO Veronica Carroll. “They’ve joined us as champions for the health of island kids and enabled the Children’s Health Foundation of Vancouver Island to provide a warm, safe, and affordable place to stay for families who must travel to Campbell River for healthcare.”

TELUS Friendly Future Foundation’s grant continues its long-standing partnership with CHFVI. Expecting families from the North Island and surrounding areas can now access the support they need in a safe and supportive environment.

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