The Community Assistance Program offers individualized services to people facing life challenges. CAP is designed to enhance people's lives, improve their support networks and connect them to resources and services in their community.
CAP is offered by VIVRS in Duncan, Lake Cowichan, Ladysmith, Nanaimo and Parksville. Entry to the program is by referral from the Ministry of Housing and Social Development.
The Community Assistance Program offers the following:- Assessment of strengths and limitations
- Support in developing a personalized plan
- 1:1 counselling, support and activities such as:
- Stress Management
- Parenting and Family Relationships
- Eating Healthily on a Budget
- Tenant Rights and Responsibilities
- Computer Literacy
- Health/ Dental Resources
- Money Management, Budgeting
- Recreation and Leisure
- Personal Safety
- Community Awareness
- Therapeutic Art
- Coping with Depression
- Reducing Isolation
- Application for Disability Benefits
- Volunteering
- Healthy Boundaries
CAP is funded by the Ministry of Housing and Social Development
Success Story: Aaron
Aaron began CAP feeling completely isolated and depressed. At age 60, he was caring for his mother, who was ill with dementia, and found the demands placed upon him were beyond his ability to cope.Through counselling from his VIVRS worker, Aaron realized that he did not have to be solely responsible for his mother's care. He placed her name on a waitlist for Long-Term Care, and when she was hospitalized for illness, he experienced a lighter burden of care.
To reduce his isolation, and help him to manage cooking on a limited budget, the VIVRS worker connected him to a local Community Kitchens group.
Regular counselling sessions have been set up to help Aaron deal with the issues he faces as a result of being gay.
VIVRS connected him to a therapeutic gardening program, which allows him to connect to others with similar interests, and build his employability.
Aaron now reports that he has hope about the future, for the first time in a long period. There is light at the end of the tunnel for him. He is contemplating working as a volunteer senior peer counsellor, and eventually taking training as a life skills coach. He knows that he has options and choices, and that has given him a new perspective on life.