Peninsula Co-op Opts in!!

We are excited to say that Peninsula Co-op has come on board the Resource Bus project with a waiver of $3500 towards fuel. How wonderful. A full tank - and here we come to communities in the Cowichan Valley where young children join us for some incredible fun and learning!

Community Resource Bus Schedule

Community Resource Bus 748-8281
Mondays – Crofton Community School 8:45AM - 11:45AM

Tuesdays – Kuper Island 10:20AM – 1:00AM

Wednesdays – Malahat First Nation 10:30AM – 1:30AM

Thursdays – Sherman Rd, Curling Rink 9:30AM – 12:30AM

Fridays – Lake Cowichan, Saywell Park 9:30AM – 12:30AM

Alicia and Emilia say farewell

Alicia and Emilia, our Canada World Youth volunteers have completed their Cowichan rotation and are on their way to Mozambique. They have been a huge asset to the project, helping to get the bus ready for the road, assembling the toy and book data base and participating in the on board program. We will miss them!

Rainbows Into the Community

The Resource Bus began its innagural trip into the Cowichan Valley mid-October. Our first visit was to the Curling Rink in Duncan. Here are photos of our first trips out, rainbow included!

More bubbles and fun at the Walk.

We were especially fortunate to have our inaugural story telling on the bus at The Walk of the Nations. The story was told by John from the Quw'utsun Cultural Centre, and he told the story of the Whale and the Thunderbird. Thank you John! The bus filled with eager young listeners, and after John was done, the story telling chair was filled with a steady stream of young story tellers, telling stories to even younger ones and their parents. It was a great day!

The Resource Bus attends The Walk of the Nations Oct 3rd

What's so special about the Cowichan Valley? The spirit of community and the Walk of the nations. "The Walk of the Nations began in 2008 as a legacy of the Cowichan 2008 North American Indigenous Games. The Walk Committee came together and started to plan an event that would see the entire community come together and walk for acceptance, understanding, respect and reconciliation of all peoples living in the Cowichan Valley." (from the Walk of the Nations web site). That's our ED Maureen Gallinger blowing bubbles.

http://www.walkofthenations.ca/index.php

Our Beautiful Bus! 99.9 COMPLETE!!!

Isn't she gorgeous!

Canada World Youth Volunteers

From Toronto and Mozambique, we are pleased to welcome Alicia and Emilia's valuable contribution to the project. There's Bill working in the background--almost done!

Cowichan Community Resource Bus

Cowichan Community Resource Bus: "larger size. View Older Posts for the full story. email: karen.allen@cowichanfamilylife.org"

London Drugs Supports Community Resource Bus

Press Release

September 5th was a special day for both London Drugs and Cowichan’s Community Resource Bus. Allen Peabody, manager of Duncan’s new London Drugs, hosted a community day and made a generous presentation to the Resource Bus project.

On site to receive the donation of over $1000 worth of items from the project’s wish list were executive director Maureen Gallinger and project coordinator Karen Allen of Cowichan Family Life Association.

The Community Resource Bus is the realization of a vision held by community agencies aiming to provide all children with access to early learning opportunities. The bus will promote the value of literacy and will give young children a head start in their readiness for school entry.

Colourful and friendly, the resource bus will make regular stops throughout the region where children aged 0-6 will board with a parent or caregiver. It will be a welcoming place where families can gather together in a fun, safe, learning environment. Early Childhood Educator Birgit Larsen will lead a StrongStart BC Outreach program that will encourage sharing and playing together, singing and reading stories, cooking, crafts, nature study, and dress up for imaginative young children.

The bus, donated by School District 79, will contain a book lending library, Literacy Backpacks, a toy lending library, resources for parents, a computer station, a food and a clothing bank.

Hosted by Cowichan Family Life Association, the Resource Bus is the result of several key community agencies coming together to guide and contribute to the project. This is a brand new initiative for the Cowichan Valley. Currently completing a retrofit, the bus is targeted for an October start date to begin its scheduled outreach to designated stops in the community.

The bus has tremendous potential to build community capacity, strengthen families and make stronger neighbourhoods. Gallinger says, “Karen and I are very pleased to welcome London Drugs as a corporate partner on this exciting community project.”

Members of the community can join the fun by registering with London Drugs’ “Here’s Looking at You, Baby” Photo Contest. Pre-registration takes place in the studio located in Duncan Mall (old CD Plus store) on September 14 from 9:30am-5pm. with all proceeds going to the Resource Bus. The contest takes place from September 15-30 with well-known photographer Lisa Petterson.

For more information about the Resource Bus, contact Karen Allen at 250 748-8281