Quesnel, BC Native Friendship Centre, Quesnel British Columbia, BC BC aboriginal diabetes information, awareness & prevention of diabetes for natives
Natives in Quesnel BC. Information & programs for carrier natives, diabetes, FAS, addictions, employement


Programs offered by the Quesnel Tillicum Society & Native Friendship Centre

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Fetal Alcohol & Drug Effects Worker

This is a primary prevention program funded by Health Canada. The main focus is on prevention with some intervention work also being done. This program is available to all members of the community.

Activities include ongoing group sessions, as well as schools and community programs. Support groups are available for caregivers with FAS/FAE children. Also a support group is run for FAS/FAE young women (14-24) who live in high risk environments.

Some individual client services are also available and include advocacy, support and intervention.

The program also makes the FASNET assessment tool available to clients.

We network and partner with a variety of community agencies including Mental Health, QUEST (Quesnel Unit for Emergency Short Stay Mental Health Program), Youth Care Workers, and Drug & Alcohol Counselors.

WEB LINKS:

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Drug and Alcohol Program

This program services primarily an adult population where approximately 60% are native with the remaining 40% being non-native. Mental health issues addressed can include a single diagnosis such as substance dependence disorder, depression, and post traumatic stress disorder; or a dual diagnosis including mental health issues such as personality disorders, bi-polar disorders, schizophrenia, obsessive compulsive disorders, antisocial personality disorders, fetal alcohol syndrome/effect, and depression.

The drug and alcohol program provides primarily individual counseling, but also provides couples counseling and group work. Comprehensive alcohol and drug assessments are provided, as well as education. This program also acts as a liaison with MCFD, probation, Quest Unit (hospital-based mental health unit), physicians, lawyers, and police (when needed). Referrals are made to Detoxification Units, Mental Health, Women’s Resource Centre, G.R. Baker Hospital, and Residential Treatment Centers.

In the past, a Traditional Talking Circle as well as a Recovery Support Group have been held weekly – these are available with enough interest. An annual Walk for Sobriety is held during Addiction Awareness Week. And, in addition, presentations to community groups are given on request.

WEB LINKS:

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Employment Counselor

Mission Statement:
To assist an Aboriginal persons’ development towards their training and employment.

The Objectives of this program are:

  1. To work with clients to identify employment barriers.
  2. To assist clients in establishing an action plan to enhance their employability.
  3. To work with CCATEC regarding training and employment opportunities.
  4. To directly solicit information from employers.
  5. To provide information on the local labor market and update as required.
  6. To provide follow-up and supportive assistance to new clients and to clients that have been successful in finding jobs.
  7. To refer all Employment Insurance and Social insurance Enquiries to the Quesnel HRCC office.
  8. To establish, maintain, and market a casual job service to employers and employees, establish data base for statistic purposes and post all casual jobs received.
  9. To refer clients to other community agencies as necessary.
  10. To provide information sessions on resume writing, interview techniques, and job search skill.
  11. To ensure clients have achieved self-sufficiency.

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Youth Outreach

The youth outreach program provides counseling and access to services that address drug and alcohol abuse as well as any other issues affecting a healthy lifestyle. This program also aids youth in developing personal management skills that enable them to function more productively in society.

The program provides workshops and healing circles on issues such as HIV/AIDS, alcohol and drug abuse, and anger management. In addition, the youth worker works in partnership with other community organizations to coordinate workshops on personal development skills targeted for youth.

Referrals are made to counseling services, personal management skills programs, employment programs, education programs, Ministry for Children and Families (MCF), and Ministry of Human Resources. Also provided is active support and participation in other youth initiates. The youth worker also acts as a liaison with youths families. And finally, the youth worker provides information to youth’s communities and MCF regarding patterns of need that youth are experiencing.

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Needle Exchange Program

This program provides confidential services to all members of the community.

The program provides free needles, swabs, condoms and sharps containers.

Another focus is providing information about harm reduction. This includes AIDS and Hepatitis awareness, both cause and prevention information. Referrals are made to the Street Nurse, Health Unit and Family doctors for testing and treatment.

WEB LINKS:

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Program Director

The program director is responsible for directing and implementing annual and special events at the Friendship Centre. Annual events include the Pow Wow, Christmas and Halloween events, and the Aboriginal Day celebrations. Special events can include coordinating the Friendship Centers float for the Billy Barker Days parade, regalia making events, and canoe making.

The program director acts as a Carrier culture resource, a liaison person between the Friendship Centre/Aboriginal community and the general community, as well as the public relations representative for the Friendship Centre. Finally, because there are no specific funds allocated for cultural events, fund raising including proposal writing is a very important role of the program director.

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Family Support Worker

This worker is a liaison with First Nations Communities and the Ministry of Children and Families. The focus is to provide support to families and individuals. This includes assessing the clients needs, referring them to the appropriate community agency, and accompanying them as necessary.

Crisis intervention is also provided for both families and individuals in the case of suicide, medical, financial, emotional and legal issues. Follow-up of all Aboriginal children in care including the foster families and parents/extended families is also provided.

The worker networks with other community agencies such as Income Assistance programs, Children and Family Services, Doctors, Lawyers, Community Law, Probation, Amata Transition House and the Courts. They also work to promote the integration of First Nations people in all communities.

The worker is an important source of legal information and support, and will assist individuals to complete with a wide variety of government and inter-governmental forms.

This worker is on-call 24 hours a day- 7 days a week with MCF/RCMP.

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Tillicum Learning Centre

This program is funded by School District #28 Continuing Education Department and is an extension of the Helen Dixon Centre of Quesnel. Its focus is to prepare people for employment and/or further education.

This program offers fundamental and intermediate academic level towards a GED or Dogwood diploma. The programming is very comprehensive and individual, ranging from basic mastery of reading and math skills to college level entry courses. Also included are both social and employment skills and responsibilities.

The program is ongoing, from September to April and is open on a self-referral basis, to First Nation, Aboriginal and any other student comfortable in this unique learning environment. It offers a family-like atmosphere with an emphasis on group mentoring. This is one of the most successful adult classrooms in the district with a high rate of students seeking further education or successful employment.

The centre works with Human Resources and other Social Services agencies to ensure appropriate deliver of services is available for student success.

WEB LINKS:

  • www.sd28.bc.ca Information on all programs offered by Quesnel School District #28

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Quesnel Tillicum Society Native Friendship Centre
319 North Fraser Drive, Quesnel, BC, Canada V2J 1Y9

Phone: (250) 992-8347
Fax: (250) 992-5708
sandy.brunton@qnfc.bc.ca

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