Task Force members include representatives from the following organizations and governing bodies:
(click the links to learn more about our members)
The Oceanside Task Force on Homelessness is co-chaired by Violet Hayes (Island Crisis Care Society) and Susanna Newton (Society of Organized Services).
Canadian Mental Health Association
City of Parksville
Forward House Community Society
Island Crisis Care Society
Island Health
Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction
Mount Arrowsmith Salvation Army
Oceanside Community Action Team (OCAT)
Province of BC, MLA
Society of Organized Services
RCMP Oceanside Detachment
Regional District of Nanaimo
Risebridge
Town of Qualicum Beach
Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA)
Website | 1-250-244-4042 (Nanaimo)
The Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) is a national charity that helps maintain and improve mental health for all Canadians. As the nationwide leader and champion for mental health, CMHA promotes the mental health of all and supports the resilience and recovery of people experiencing mental illness.
CMHA has a Street Reach Team that provides Homeless outreach in the Oceanside area. Team members can connect with community members where they are and provide assistance with housing applications, transportation, provide community referrals, and provide some supplies (based on availability).
City of Parksville
Website | 1-250 248-6144
In the heart of Oceanside, on the sheltered east coast of Vancouver Island, we are an active community of urban professionals, families with young children and retirees who have chosen to live in our community for a quality of life and the region’s natural environment.
City of Parksville Vision Statement
We aspire to be the city of choice for ourselves and future generations in a clean, safe, friendly, economically viable and sustainable environment.
City of Parksville Mission Statement
To provide good governance, prudent financial management, enhancing Parksville’s lifestyle through effective leadership, community involvement and commitment to providing services in an effective, efficient manner to all residents.
Forward House Community Society
Website | 250-954-0785
Forward House – at 136 East Hirst Avenue, Parksville – provides day programs for adults experiencing mental health challenges (some with concurrent addiction issues) who are living in School District 69. Forward House offers programs in education, life skills, recreation and expressive therapies, as well as the Healthy Eating Meal Program, which provides six lunches and three dinners per week plus nutritional education (membership required to access programs).
Forward House provides a strengths-based culture that focuses on individual’s talents and abilities. They create a safe, friendly, family-like environment where clients are empowered to develop and maintain independence and autonomy by giving them tools to enhance their skills. It also provides support groups for caregivers, conducts community presentations on mental health stigma and compassionate communication and hosts several practicum students each year.
Island Crisis Care Society
Website | 778-441-4227
ICCS is a registered non-profit society helping people in crisis to stabilize and then find the support, resources and services needed to recover and be well. ICCS works in cooperation with provincial and federal agencies, community groups and faith-based organizations to develop housing options and programs that respect the needs of individuals with multiple challenges or concurrent disorders.
Since 2003 Hirst House has provided six stabilization beds to clients in Oceanside. The Island Health Mental Health and Substance Use team assess and refers clients to Hirst House and provides clinical support and case management. Hirst House is staffed 24/7 to ensure the safety and security of each person. Residents have their own private room and enjoy home cooked meals and empathetic support.
As an integral part of Oceanside HOST (Homelessness Outreach Support Team), ICCS provides weekend outreach support to clients. Since building relationships with local landlords, we hold leases on several rental suites in the community to ensure accessibility for clients who may not have references. Clients can then have an occupancy agreement with ICCS and build a record of successful tenancy. Using Housing First principles, we have successfully housed many clients who had been chronically homeless for many years.
Together with professionals in the social service field, ICCS created Crescent House, which has become a model used by communities throughout B.C. This successful model provides a short-term “oasis in the storm” where individuals can rest and recover before moving to independent living or other forms of housing.
ICCS also operates the Orca Place supportive housing development in Parksville which was an initiative of the Oceanside Task Force on Homelessness. Read more about Orca here and check out this video on a success story.
Island Health – Oceanside Health Centre
Website | 250-951-9550
Island Health provides health care services through a network of hospitals, clinics, centres, health units and residential care locations. They serve more than 800,000 people on Vancouver Island, the islands of the Salish Sea and Johnstone Strait and mainland communities from Powell River north to Rivers Inlet. Island Health delivers many types of health care services for residents, clients and patients. Island Health offers innovative treatment and support to those impacted by mental health and substance abuse issues.
Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction
Website | 1-866-866-0800
The Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction focuses on providing British Columbians in need with a system of supports to help them achieve their social and economic potential.
Mount Arrowsmith Salvation Army
Website | 250-248-8794
The Salvation Army is a Christian organization that gives hope and support to vulnerable people in 400 communities across Canada and in 133 countries. The Salvation Army exists to share the love of Jesus Christ, meet human needs and be a transforming influence in the communities of our world.
Salvation Army Soup Kitchen | More information
Hours of Operation:
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday (Closed Statutory Holidays) from 11:00am to 1:00pm
187 Alberni Hwy, Parksville, BC
Salvation Army Food Bank | More information
Hours of Operation
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday 8:30 am – 4:00 pm (closed for lunch from 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm)
Wednesday and Friday 9:00 am – noon
(Closed Statutory Holidays)
Healthy Choices FREE Produce: Wednesday & Friday 8:30 am—11:00 am
Non-perishable FREE Shelf: Daily during food bank hours
Food Bank hampers BY APPOINTMENT, please call 250-248-8793 for more information or to schedule an appointment.
Food Bank hamper delivery BY APPOINTMENT, please call 250-248-8793 for more information or to schedule an appointment.
Oceanside Community Action Team
Community Action Teams have been funded across the province to help address the public health emergency of Toxic Drug deaths and related harms.
The Oceanside Community Action Team (OCAT):
– Strives to reduce deaths and harms due to the Toxic Drug Poisoning Crisis in our communities
– Builds on the success of our Peer Support Worker Team in providing life-saving Naloxone and Outreach support, and linking to Recovery Resources
– Works closely with Island Health as they strive to bring new services on stream
– Strengthens relationships with Qualicum First Nation, Nanoose First Nation, the Mid-Island Metis Nation, and FNHA
MLA – Adam Walker
Website | (250) 248-2625
Adam Walker was elected the MLA for Parksville-Qualicum in 2020.
Adam is a small business owner, former town councillor, and farmer. While a town councillor for Qualicum Beach from 2018-2020, he prioritized housing, enhancing public spaces and community engagement. He has owned and operated a tech business in the region for over 15 years.
Adam has lived in the Qualicum Beach area all his life and is proud to call the beautiful community home. He and his wife operate a small farm and are raising two daughters.
RCMP Oceanside Detachment
Website | 250-248-6111 (non-emergency)
The B.C. RCMP proudly provides municipal, provincial and federal policing in areas that range from isolated Aboriginal communities and coastal villages to major cities. This detachment serves: Parksville, Qualicum Beach, Nanoose Bay, Coombs, Hilliers, Errington, French Creek, Dashwood, Englishman River, Shaw Hill, Qualicum Bay, Deep Bay, Bowser and Lasqueti Island.
Regional District of Nanaimo
Website | 1-877-607-4111
There are four municipalities in the RDN – Nanaimo, Lantzville, Parksville and Qualicum Beach, plus a large rural population comprised of seven electoral areas. Each municipality and electoral area in the regional federation receives a variety of services from the RDN and is represented on the Task Force by the Director for Area G, Lehann Wallace.
Risebridge
Website | Email
“Our mandate: To minimize the gaps in our social service offerings by holding a safe space for connection, system navigation, and decolonized programming that is trauma-informed and culturally rooted to be responsive to the immediate needs of our community.”
Society of Organized Services
Website | 250-248-2093
SOS is a non-profit charity, see the website for information including its vision and mission. The SOS also hosts the Oceanside Task Force on Homelessness Coordinator.
SOS Community Services Centres are located at 245 West Hirst Avenue in Parksville and 744 Primrose Street in Qualicum Beach (at Qualicum Commons). The Centres offer high quality programs and services to residents of all ages, including those that meet basic needs, programs that provide an outlet for social interaction, education and camaraderie, while improving quality of life.
The SOS Thrift Shop is 18,000 square feet of treasures, located at 188 West Hirst Avenue in Parksville. It provides SOS with about 80% of its programming funding. Support at the Thrift Shop, as well as monetary donations, are critical to the continuation of vital community programs and services.
Stay connected to SOS by signing up to receive the E-newsletter through its website, or follow on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.
Town of Qualicum
Website | 250-752-6921
Qualicum Beach is a Coastal community located on the Strait of Georgia (Salish Sea) on the north-eastern coast of Vancouver Island. Home to approximately 9,000 residents. Qualicum Beach is a popular tourist destination as well as a retirement community that is known for its pristine beaches, parks, trails and high quality of life.