Every year, our community comes together in a remarkable display of compassion during our Holiday Hamper campaign. Through the overwhelming generosity of our sponsors, donors, and volunteers, more families than ever experienced a holiday filled with warmth, dignity, and hope.
This year’s Holiday Hamper Campaign touched lives in deeply meaningful ways. The messages we received from families were filled with gratitude, joy, and often tears — reminders of just how powerful our community can be.
Families shared stories of children waking up to gifts they never expected, parents expressed relief and renewed hope during challenging times, another shared the indescribable joy of seeing a loved one with health challenges smile for the first time in years and others spoke of how the gifts helped make a baby’s first Christmas special or brought comfort during a difficult pregnancy.
Below are just some of the full, anonymized testimonials we received — shared with permission — from families who wanted you to know just how much your kindness meant to them.
Messages of Gratitude from Families
1.
“To the family who helped us over the holidays — words cannot describe how grateful I am for your kindness and support. You made my family’s Christmas one of the best yet. My kids woke up completely surprised, and the look of joy on their faces while opening the gifts was unforgettable. I wish I had the chance to thank you in person. You made such a huge impact on us this year. Thank you, thank you, thank you from the bottom of our hearts. We are so grateful.”
2.
“Thank you so much for your generosity! This was my baby’s first Christmas. At the end of September 2024, I found out I was 30 weeks pregnant — what a surprise. I gave birth early six weeks later, on December 18, and we spent last Christmas in the hospital. Fast forward to September 2025, we finally got housing, and the rest, I hope, is history. All the gifts were wonderful. Thank you again.”
3.
“Thank you so much. My family is beyond grateful for the wonderful and thoughtful gifts. We received far more than expected, including things we both needed and wanted. I wish I could hug you all. The joy you brought to me and my family is something I hope to create for others in the coming years.”
4.
“The hamper meant so much to us. The thought put into the gifts really showed, and my kids absolutely loved everything. Seeing their excitement and the smiles on their faces meant the world to me. I cannot thank the donor enough — especially for the gifts for my mom, who loved hers — and most of all for the gift for my dad. He has Alzheimer’s and a tumour on his lung, and his favourite thing to do is sit outside all day. The outdoor chair with a cover and cup holder meant the world to me. Seeing his huge smile is something I haven’t seen in years. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. As a single mom of four kids, three with special needs, it means the absolute world to me that people care enough to help others who are struggling. The thought you put into these gifts shows that care. You made our Christmas meaningful, and I hope only good things come your way in 2026.”
5.
“Thank you so much for making our request come true. We loved our pajamas — we all wore them on Christmas Day and took family photos together. I really wanted holiday photos with my daughters, and it was extra special that we all had matching pajamas.”
6.
“We are so thankful. We felt so much care and love from all the gifts — even the ones for my baby in my tummy. I teared up opening the baby clothes and diapers. I had been having a hard time enjoying my pregnancy and sometimes felt like no one cared about my second baby. Thank you so much for including baby number two. We enjoyed opening the gifts so much, and the kids loved playing with their toys. Thank you for the incredibly generous gifts and all the love and care you put into them. You made our Christmas brighter and so special. We really appreciate it. I hope you had a wonderful Christmas as well.”
7.
“Thank you for your generous gifts. Without your kindness and support, Christmas would have felt very empty. Your help made me feel less guilty about not having money, and it made the kids happy. They were so excited to open their gifts and play with their toys and use their new boots. Thank you again. We truly appreciate your support and kindness.”
8.
“I would like to thank you from the bottom of my heart for making my son’s first Christmas so special. Things haven’t been easy being a single parent, and times can get tough, but it’s because of people like you that my son was able to have an amazing first Christmas. Thank you again for everything. Merry Christmas from my little family to yours.”
9.
“Thank you so much for the wonderful Christmas gift to our family. We are truly grateful and deeply honoured to have been selected to receive a Christmas hamper. Your generosity brought so much joy into our home. The kids were absolutely delighted, and seeing their bright smiles and excitement was priceless. Those moments meant more to us than words can express. Your kindness, thoughtfulness, and care made our Christmas incredibly special and one we will always remember. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for spreading such warmth and love. May you and your family be blessed for the kindness you have shared with ours.”
To Our Sponsors: Thank You for Making This Possible
None of this could have happened without our committed sponsors and donors. Your generosity made sure families who were struggling felt supported, cared for, and valued.
From thoughtful gifts to warm clothes, toys, household essentials, and special items chosen with care — every contribution made a difference.
From all of us at Westcoast Family Centres:
Thank you for spreading warmth, dignity, and love throughout our community.
Want to Be Part of Next Year’s Magic?
If you’re inspired by these stories and want to help create more moments like these, we would love to have you join us for the next Holiday Hampers Campaign.
Learn how you can get involved as a donor, sponsor, or volunteer here:
https://westcoastfamily.org/get-involved/holiday-hampers/
Together, we can continue to brighten holidays, uplift families, and build a community rooted in compassion.
Every holiday season, our community comes together in the most heart‑warming way to support Westcoast Family Centres clients through our Holiday Hamper Program. What began as a simple gesture of kindness has grown into one of our most impactful annual initiatives—bringing comfort, dignity, and joy to families across the region.
This year, our counsellors and support workers nominated 117 families to receive a hamper filled with essential gifts, food, clothing, and gift cards. This marks one of the highest nomination years on record, reflecting both the growing needs in our community and the unwavering commitment of our supporters.
And our supporters showed up in an extraordinary way.
A total of 86 sponsors—a mix of individuals, families, teams, and organizations—shopped, wrapped, and donated beautifully curated Holiday Hampers. Among them were 58 individual donors and families, each putting thoughtful care into selecting items that would make the season brighter. Another 28 teams and organizations used the program as a meaningful team‑building experience, rallying colleagues around a shared purpose.
Because of this collective generosity, we were able to support over 400 individuals, including children, parents, and caregivers. Each hamper provided more than gifts—it offered essentials that support health, hygiene, and overall well‑being. For many families, these hampers eased financial stress and created moments of joy during a time that can otherwise feel overwhelming.
We are deeply grateful to every sponsor who contributed. Your kindness has a ripple effect that extends far beyond the holiday season. You’ve helped families feel seen, supported, and cared for—and that is a gift that lasts.
Thank you for making this year’s Holiday Hamper Program one of our most successful yet. Together, we continue to build a stronger, more compassionate community.
Celebrating Resilience and Growth: Our 2024–2025 Year in Review
As we close another year at Westcoast Family Centres, we reflect on a journey defined by resilience, purpose, and community. For over 41 years, our mission has remained steadfast: to strengthen relationships between children, families, and communities. This year was no exception.
Facing Challenges, Building Strength
The past year brought significant challenges—rising living costs, housing insecurity, and growing mental health concerns. Yet, thanks to the unwavering dedication of our staff, volunteers, and partners, we continued to provide essential services to families navigating complex realities. From crisis response to family preservation, our programs helped hundreds of children and parents find stability and hope.
Milestones That Matter
- 151 holiday hampers delivered to over 500 individuals, thanks to 66 generous donors.
- Family Services supported 131 children and 206 adults, working tirelessly to keep families together.
- Early Years Programs empowered young parents and supported children with special needs.
- Westcoast Wellness Centre launched, offering accessible counselling services to anyone in BC.
- The Nest, our new pilot program, helped little ones prepare for Kindergarten through personalized support.
Commitment to Reconciliation
We deepened our reconciliation and decolonization efforts through Learning & Sharing Circles, fostering a culture of empathy and respect. Our goal remains clear: to ensure Indigenous children, youth, and families feel safe and valued in our spaces.
Celebrating 40 Years
In 2024, we marked our 40th anniversary with a vibrant celebration of community and solidarity. This milestone reminds us of the incredible impact we’ve made—and the work still ahead.
Looking Forward
Guided by our 2024–2026 Strategic Priorities, we’re focused on leadership, inclusivity, financial sustainability, and quality care. Together, we’ll continue to adapt, innovate, and serve families with compassion and excellence.
Thank you to our donors, partners, and community for making this work possible. Here’s to another year of strengthening families and building brighter futures.
Please check out the full annual report to community in the PDF below:
We’re excited to share that the new Westcoast Wellness Centre website is officially live. This new online space is designed to make accessing mental health support easier and more convenient for individuals and families across British Columbia.
Operated by us here Westcoast Family Centres, the Westcoast Wellness Centre offers clinical counselling services for adults, children, couples, and families. Our team of certified clinicians brings over 40 years of experience in trauma-informed, inclusive care.
No Referral Needed
Whether you’re navigating parenting challenges, supporting a neurodiverse child or teen, or coping with trauma, chronic stress, or family conflict, our compassionate team is here to help. We offer both in-person and virtual sessions to suit your needs—no referral required.
Affordable Counselling Options
We believe that wellness should be accessible to everyone. That’s why we offer low-cost counselling through our supervised clinical counselling interns:
- Intern Sessions: $50 for a 50-minute session
- Registered Practitioner Sessions: $150 (individuals) / $180 (couples & families)
- Free 15-minute consultations available for all
Intern sessions are provided by practicum students completing their clinical training under the supervision of experienced professionals—offering high-quality care at a reduced rate.
Personalized, Confidential Support
Our clinicians use a range of therapeutic modalities tailored to your unique needs, including:
- Narrative Therapy
- EMDR
- DBT
- Family Therapy
- Mindfulness-Based Therapy
- CBT
All sessions are conducted with the highest level of confidentiality and professionalism.
Visit Us Online
The new website offers detailed information about our services, team, and booking options. Whether you’re seeking support for yourself or a loved one, we’re here to help you take the first step toward wellness.
Visit the Westcoast Wellness Centre website to learn more and book your consultation today!
Westcoast Family Centres (WFC) is proud to announce that it has officially achieved COA Accreditation through June 30, 2029 — a significant accomplishment that reflects the organization’s unwavering commitment to excellence, accountability, and the highest standards of service delivery.
The Council on Accreditation (COA) is a globally recognized, independent accrediting body that evaluates human and social service organizations against rigorous, evidence-informed standards. Accreditation is not simply a formality — it is a comprehensive process that examines every aspect of an organization’s operations, governance, and programs. Achieving this milestone confirms that WFC meets — and in many areas, exceeds — best practices in the field.
What Does Accreditation Actually Mean?
COA Accreditation is a powerful endorsement of WFC’s work and values. It verifies that the organization:
- Provides services that are safe, effective, and responsive to the needs of children, youth, and families.
- Operates with transparency, ethical governance, and sound nonprofit financial management.
- Is committed to continuous learning, improvement, and innovation.
- Has earned the trust and confidence of funders, partners, and the communities it serves.
The accreditation process reviews, in detail, many different areas of the organization and judges on a score based on a ranking of 1 – 5, with one being the best. WFC received the top score a vast majority of the time – showcasing the strength, dedication, and professionalism of the entire WFC team.
A Collective Achievement
This achievement is the result of countless hours of hard work, collaboration, and reflection. WFC extends its deepest gratitude to its staff, leadership, and board members, whose commitment to the organization’s mission and values made this possible.
The organization also acknowledges the vital role of its community partners and stakeholders. Their ongoing support and collaboration have been instrumental in helping WFC reach this milestone.
Looking Ahead
While accreditation is a moment to celebrate, it is also a foundation for the future. It reinforces WFC’s commitment to ongoing excellence and impact. As the organization moves forward, it will continue to uphold the standards that earned this recognition and strive to deepen its service to families across the region.
Westcoast Family Centres invites its community to celebrate this achievement and to continue supporting its mission to build stronger families and brighter futures.
Over the past year, Westcoast Family Centres has demonstrated remarkable adaptability and resilience, akin to many of our peers in the sector. We’ve navigated numerous transitions and are immensely proud of our staff, client families, and community for collectively surmounting obstacles. Our heartfelt gratitude goes out to our dedicated front-line and administrative staff, leadership, board members, community allies, benefactors, and donors who have consistently exceeded expectations to fortify the families we serve. Despite the challenges, we are confident that we are the right team for this mission.
Representing everyone at WFC, we consider it an honor to engage in the vital endeavor of fortifying families and communities. In 2022, we embraced our pledge to Reconciliation and embarked on a journey of decolonization. We’ve appointed leaders for this initiative, who have spearheaded staff training, the creation of a cultural safety assessment tool, and the establishment of our Indigenous Learning and Sharing Circle. Our dedication to this cause stems from our deep connection to the numerous Indigenous families we support, who are invaluable to us and the wider community. Our amalgamation with the Westcoast Child Care Resource Centre, our neighbors, remains robust. Looking forward, we aim to leverage this amalgamation to deliver even more value to the community.
This year, we’ve achieved most of our program and service objectives. Where we’ve fallen short, we’ve taken proactive measures to understand the reasons and identify adjustments to better meet family needs. We remain cognizant of the housing and drug crises’ effects, with our front-line team striving to assist families through these challenging circumstances. Furthermore, we prioritize our families by addressing the persistent financial challenges they face. Through our Building Blocks fund, we’ve supported numerous families with gift cards, Holiday Hampers, and other essential aid. While our financial assistance may be modest, it represents a beacon of hope and solidarity as living costs escalate. Every contribution counts.
Since setting our strategic goals for 2021-23, we’ve made significant strides in fulfilling our commitments in the following domains:
- Leadership and Partnerships: Our WFC leadership has expanded, and we’ve invested in nurturing future leaders by fostering a robust workplace culture and providing readily available staff resources. Moreover, we’ve fortified our partnerships within the sector to
collectively offer the most efficient and effective services. - Diversity and Inclusivity: As an employer and service provider, we’re dedicated to continuous diversity, equity, and inclusivity training, and we’re moving towards an organization-wide decolonization effort.
- Financial Sustainability: We remain vigilant custodians of our finances, ensuring long-term fiscal health and robust organizational financial systems.
- Strategic Growth: Acknowledging the ongoing uncertainty affecting many, we’ve adapted to the evolving needs of our communities. Our flexibility has enabled us to expand our programs, supporting as many individuals as possible.
- Quality and Care: As a COA-accredited agency, we persist in our pursuit of the highest standard of care by emphasizing staff training and education, routinely assessing our programs, and upholding respect and kindness as fundamental values of our service.
As we approach our 40th anniversary of community service next year, we eagerly anticipate the future developments for all of us at WFC. Please see the below PDF to view our full 2023-2024 Report to Community.
With warm regards,
Ann Kutcher + Shannon Svingen-Jones
Ann Kutcher, CEO
Shannon Svingen-Jones, Board President
This week’s Teachings Tuesday is generously offered by Culturally Committed Community Member, Aaron Rivard (Cree-Metis). Thank you, Aaron – for your beautiful, open heart and your commitment to this work.
During one of our recent Learning/Talking Circles at work, I was reminded of how long I have been working on the front lines, supporting children, youths, and their families to feel a sense of connection. I began my career as a volunteer youth mentor for a local non-profit while attending school. I vividly recall the first youth I supported—an Indigenous teenager from a prairie province, sent to the lower mainland to live with family for various reasons. His love for hockey and the desire to feel connected stood out. I remember his Sunday morning calls, ensuring I would pick him up.
At that time, I had a friend living in a co-op who shared the same passion for hockey. Despite my own love for the sport during my childhood and teen years, I eventually found it less enjoyable as I became too skinny. However, during our time together, we spent many Sunday afternoons playing street hockey with my friend, his son, and numerous neighborhood children and youth from the co-op. Witnessing the significant impact it had on the Indigenous youth’s life was incredible. I felt grateful and honored to see the happiness radiating from him when playing hockey with others.
I share this story because it was the first time I witnessed firsthand the fundamental need to feel connected. The youth I mentored taught me about our universal need for connection and highlighted the growing disconnection in our society. I reflect on my father, his sister, and brother, contemplating the potential feelings of disconnection they experienced when taken from their families and placed in residential schools and foster care. Throughout my work, I’ve witnessed the challenges of reconnecting with what we love and those we love.
Recently, I had dinner with one of my dad’s younger sisters, who shared why she didn’t recognize her Cree Metis heritage for most of her life. Growing up in a community marked by racism towards Indigenous people made it hard for her to feel connected. Only recently has she embraced her heritage, expressing a desire to learn more about her roots. I was grateful when she helped cook Indigenous Tacos at my office, celebrating National Indigenous People’s Day in 2022. Seeing her connect with her culture and share it with coworkers was a profound experience. At seventy-eight, it was also her first time participating in a Smudge ceremony.
In my thirty-plus years of working on the front lines, supporting Indigenous children, youths, and their families, I’m reminded daily of the importance of helping them feel a sense of connection and belonging. The stories are numerous, and the ones above are just a couple I wanted to share.
My Cree grandmother, Elizabeth, taught my brother and me valuable lessons about helping others, fostering a sense of connection. She practiced the concept of paying it forward long before it gained media attention. Her generosity extended to giving someone the shirt off her back and sharing her last meal if she sensed a need.
Relationships revolve around feeling connected to those in our lives—family, friends, culture, creator, Earth, spirituality—anything that brings a sense of belonging. When connected to our culture, family, friends, community, spirituality, and Mother Earth, we create a sense of belonging within ourselves. Any form of spirituality can evoke a feeling of connection within us.
Connection brings peace to our souls.
Ay Hay/Thank you,
Aaron
