by Julie McManus
NANAIMO'S THE NANAIMO
he Nanaimo Child Development Centre (CDC) has been around since 1967, so chances are you know someone who has greatly benefitted from its services. The CDC assists children and families in Nanaimo and surrounding areas, including Ladysmith and Lantzville. It also provides specialized tier three assessments for Port Alberni, Ucluelet/Tofino, and Parksville/Qualicumareas. CDC resource development
T coordinator, Michelle Kocourek
says the centre, which covers over 15,000 square feet and includes a gymnasium and an onsite integrated preschool, does much more than supports children with developing needs. It also provides services like physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, infant development, family development, family support, and therapeutic playgroups, among others. Kocourek, who considers the CDC the ‘Jewel of Nanaimo’, highly
believes in the work the centre does for children and families and has experienced firsthand how it benefits people. “It was a CDC Physiotherapist who recommended a very specialized wheelchair for my grandson. The service groups that I connected with through the centre enabled our family to obtain this new chair that has made all the difference in the world,” she says. Last year, the CDC injected over $3.5 million into Nanaimo’s
Minutes away from Rathtrevor Beach Provincial Park
economy and employed 82 people. Kocourek explains that although the centre receives some government funding, there are no programs or services provided that aren’t supported in some way by fundraised dollars. “We are a not for profit agency and we rely heavily on community support,” she says. The next big fundraiser for the CDC is the third annual Run, Walk &
Roll event which is a 2, 5, 10 km event happening May 6 at Woodgrove Centre in Nanaimo. The Run Walk & Roll event is open to athletes of all abilities and accommodates runners, walkers, baby strollers, wheelchairs, and power chairs. Participants collect donations and have fun while making a difference that matters to children with developmental needs and their families. Last year’s participants
Full service park, large to small R.V.s & tenting 10 min. to Sidney and 20 min. to Victoria.
rbutus Grove MO TEL
3000 Stautw Rd, Saanichton 250-544-0508
info@oceansideresortrv.com •
www.oceansideresortrv.com islandtimesmagazine.ca | 15
1182 East Island Hwy, Parksville
CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTRE
raised $11,000, and the goal this year is $15,000. Entry fee is $25 for adults and seniors, $10 for children ages 6–12, Free for children ages 5 and under. Cost includes one free Woodgrove Centre $10 gift card and a t-shirt for the first 250 registered participants (six years old and up). Visit
www.nanaimorun.com for registration details. If boating is more your thing, consider signing up a team for this
You’ll Be Impressed
year’s Coast Capital Savings Silly Boat Regatta in July. Silly Boats is fantastic event because the boats are constructed of any recycled material and must be able to float, hold at least two people and be assembled on site in downtown Nanaimo in less than four hours. Silly Boats must be powered by people or wind. No motors are allowed. This popular event draws a crowd of 10,000 people to Nanaiomo’s waterfront every year. Visit
www.sillyboat.com for more. Learn more about the CDC, which mandates that no child with
Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities, (CARF) for its business practices. Read this article and more at
www.islandtimesmagazine.ca.
Send your comments to
comments@islandtimesmagazine.ca.
identified needs should have to wait for help, by visiting www.
nanaimocdc.com, or contact the centre at
info@nanaimocdc.com. The CDC is recognized internationally by the Commission on IT
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