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Family Program
About the Program
Our Family Program at the Nawican Friendship Centre recognizes that strong families are the foundation of strong communities. We provide comprehensive support, resources, and culturally grounded programming that helps families build connections, overcome challenges, and thrive together. Our program welcomes all families—whether you’re a single parent, two-parent household, grandparents raising grandchildren, kinship caregivers, or any other family structure. We understand that every family is unique and faces different circumstances, and we’re here to walk alongside you with practical support, advocacy, and compassionate care. If you need help navigating community resources, want to participate in family activities, are looking for parenting support, or simply need a welcoming place where your family belongs, this program offers safe, non-judgmental support tailored to your family’s needs and strengths.
How to Get in Touch
Location:
10200 17 Street, Dawson Creek, BC V1G 4C2
Office Hours:
Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Contact:
Taylor Street
Email Address:
t.street@nawican.ca / nbycc@nawican.ca
Phone Number:
Family Services
Family Support & Advocacy
Comprehensive support to help your family access resources and navigate systems:
- One-on-one family support
- Housing support and advocacy
- Referrals to community resources
- Crisis intervention and safety planning
- Navigation of child and family service systems
- Income assistance and financial support connections
- Help accessing government benefits and family programs
- Advocacy with schools, healthcare, housing, and social services
Parenting Support
Practical, non-judgmental support for parents and caregivers at every stage:
- Parenting education and skill-building
- Support with child development questions
- Support for single parents and co-parents
- Guidance for grandparents and kinship caregivers
- Referrals to childcare and early-years resources
- Positive discipline and conflict-resolution strategies
- Help building routines, boundaries, and family communication
- Support for parents navigating stress, grief, or major life changes
Family Activities & Connection
Safe, welcoming opportunities for families to spend time together and build community:
- Family drop-in activities
- Cultural family programming
- Parent-child bonding activities
- Community meals and family gatherings
- Seasonal family events and celebrations
- Family craft, cooking, and recreation sessions
- Intergenerational activities with Elders and youth
- Opportunities for families to meet and support one another
Child & Youth Family Support
Support for families raising children and youth through different ages, needs, and transitions:
- School-readiness and back-to-school support
- Advocacy during school meetings or service planning
- Referrals to tutoring, mentoring, and youth supports
- Help connecting children and youth to Nawican programs
- Help connecting to recreation, cultural, and after-school activities
- Support for families navigating attendance, bullying, or social challenges
- Support for families with children experiencing emotional or behavioural challenges
Family Wellness & Healing
Holistic support that recognizes the emotional, cultural, physical, and spiritual well-being of the whole family:
- Family wellness planning
- Support strengthening healthy relationships
- Connection to counseling and mental health supports
- Referrals to cultural and holistic healing programs
- Talking circles and family-centered wellness activities
- Safe, respectful support for families rebuilding connection
- Connection to Elders, cultural teachings, and ceremony when available
- Support for families affected by trauma, grief, substance use, or crisis
Basic Needs & Resource Navigation
Helping families meet immediate needs and connect with longer-term supports:
- Transportation-resource connections
- Help completing forms and applications
- Support accessing identification documents
- Help understanding available community services
- Food security referrals and emergency food connections
- Clothing, school supplies, and household resource referrals
- Warm referrals to other Nawican programs and partner agencies
- Referrals for legal, housing, healthcare, and financial supports
Family Safety & Crisis Support
Compassionate support for families facing urgent or difficult situations:
- Safety planning
- Crisis support and stabilization
- Follow-up support after crisis situations
- Support navigating child-welfare concerns
- Referrals to emergency shelter and crisis services
- Help connecting with victim services and legal resources
- Confidential, respectful assistance based on each family’s needs
- Support for families experiencing violence, separation, or conflict
Frequently Asked Questions
The Family Program is open to all families in the community, including single-parent families, two-parent households, grandparents raising grandchildren, kinship caregivers, foster families, and other family structures. Services are welcoming, respectful, and free of charge.
No. Nawican Friendship Centre provides culturally grounded support with a focus on Indigenous families and community, while welcoming all families who need support.
Families can access advocacy, resource navigation, parenting support, referrals, family activities, wellness support, and help connecting with other Nawican or community programs.
Yes. Staff can help with safety planning, crisis support, referrals, and connection to appropriate emergency or community services.
Yes. The Family Program can help families understand systems, prepare for appointments, advocate for their needs, and connect with the right services.
Families can contact Nawican by phone or email to ask about the best way to get started. Drop-ins may be welcome during office hours, depending on staff availability and the type of support needed.