Peer Support Services

When provided with a supportive environment, individuals gain the skills and self-confidence needed to overcome barriers and to learn to manage personal and community resources. Through our Peer Support activities people meet to exchange information and informal support with others facing similar challenges.

"Comfort comes from knowing that people have made the same journey. And solace comes from understanding how others have learned to sing again.” Helen Steiner Rice

For more information about upcoming Peer Support activities contact us by phone at 250-595-0044 or by email: information@drcvictoria.com

BC Paraplegic Association

 BCPA's Peer Associate hosts a number of peer groups at the Victoria Disability Resource Centre:

Spinal Cord Injury Vintage/50+ Peer Group

The Vintage/50+ Peer Group meets the second Wednesday of each month from 1:00pm - 3:00pm at the Victoria Disability Resource Centre at 817 A Fort Street.

Excerpt from last meeting:

"It would be safe to say that our abilities have changed over the years and we have learned to cope with each change. We value hearing how others have dealt with the changes that are now on our own horizons. Hopefully we can plan and be better prepared for their eventuality. As always, it was good to learn from each other and explore ideas with peers who have ‘been there’."

Spinal Cord Injury Women Only Group

The Women's Group meets the first Monday of each month from 2:00pm - 4:00pm at the Victoria Disability Resource Centre at 817 A Fort Street. Note: If the first Monday is a holiday, the meeting will be held on the second Monday of that month. 

Spinal Cord Injury Peer Coffee Drop-in

Any one who has experienced a spinal cord injury is welcome to attend the Peer Coffee Drop-in which meets the fourth Thursday of each Month from 1:00 – 3:00pm (Except December) 

For more information about these groups, other peer activities or to be added to the email list please contact Scott Heron at 250-475-2622or sheron@bcpara.org 

Bridges to the Future 

Bridges to the Future is a community based resource program designed to help youth gain independence as they transition toward adulthood. The program was created in 2002 to support youth between the ages of 15-24 with physical disabilities. 

For more infomation contact Nate Schwartz by phone at 250.595-0044 ext 112 or by email: nate@bridgestothefuture.ca

In the Community

Vancouver Island Society of Disabled Artists

The society was founded by Alistair Green & Garry Curry. It was created to show other people with disabilities the tools that Alistair and Garry have created and how they are used.Their Mission:

• Support persons with disabilities that would like to become professional artists.
• Introduce disabled children and newly injured to a user-friendly art studio.
• Research and develop new power-assisted equipment that will allow artists to increase their productivity.
• Provide individuals with the opportunity to become financially independent.
• Support our members by providing a means to demonstrate their artwork in local and national art galleries.
• To give a voice to the experience of living with a disability.

Check out the website: www.visoda.org