GIVE THE GIFT OF PLAY
When Jasmine was 4, her mother was killed. The shock from this traumatic event was monumental and left her confused, scared and shy. Her father, now a single parent, needed to find a place and a support system that understood the extraordinary challenges she faced. With your help, we helped build a safe space for children like Jasmine, right here in Greater Victoria.
The Little Phoenix Daycare will be a safe haven for children under the age 5 who have experienced trauma resulting from experience/exposure to domestic violence, sexual, psycho-logical, physical and emotional abuse and/or the refugee camp experience. It will be one of the first of its kind in Canada and the first in B.C. The Daycare will have staff equipped to assist children – trauma counsellors, art therapists and other childhood experts supporting each child in a peaceful, therapeutic setting. The curriculum will be tailored to individual life situations and personal needs allowing each child to transform their life for the better.
Currently, there are only enough licensed childcare spaces on Southern Vancouver Island for 24%of our child population.
The daycare has obtained their licence and will welcome children soon. Together with long-term community partners, Family Services of Greater Victoria and the Victoria Immigrant and Refugee Centre Society, you can help us put the final touches on the facility specifically the purchase of indoor and outdoor furniture, kitchen supplies, and cover the first three months of operational costs.
When children have trauma in their early formative years that is unresolved it can have lifelong effects on their health, wellbeing and quality of life. There are high correlations between teen/adult suicides, incarceration, divorce, and family violence – so taking care of kids is one of the most important things we can do as a community. The first five years lay the foundation for a child’s life. No child should be left behind.
Show Jasmine that she has a safe home here.
