Who We are

Pathways Aboriginal Centre provides Aboriginal children, youth and families with a place to gather.

We offer a variety of cultural activities, recreation, community events, social opportunities, resources, information, community education and one to one supports. The centre focuses on a holistic view of the person and our community in all that we do. Through our work we involve our community to help children and youth to build on their identity and their cultural self-awareness. We encourage them to be involved in the lives of others and to accept what our community can offer. We believe that we have more in common then we have differences and through sharing and cultural exploration we can truly find a common voice and understanding. Some of the services have age requirements based on focus and funding.

We currently provide these following at the centre:

• Roots to Grow: Aboriginal Child, Youth and FamilyProgram

• OSKAYAK Youth Program

• Pathways Aboriginal Outreach Education Program

• Ravens Homework Club

• Youth Drop In

• Activities for Families and younger children

Pathways aboriginal Centre100–7900 Alderbridge Way

Richmond, BC V6X 2A5

Tel: 604.271.7600 ext. 102

Fax: 604.271.7626

pathways@ccssociety.ca

pathways@connectionscommunityservices.com

www.connectionscommunityservices.com

A place where Aboriginal people can gather, take pride in their heritage and share their culture.

Pathways aboriginal Centre

Pathways Outreach educatiOn PrOgram

Within Richmond there are numerous students of Aboriginal ancestry attending school. Through a partnership with Connections Community Services, Vancouver Coastal Health, and the Richmond School District, a child, youth and family worker provides support to Aboriginal students and their families to improve their physical, social, emotional and intellectual development. Support is provided to help them find and use housing, medical, legal, employment and other resources in the community. This program works out of the Pathways Aboriginal Centre, in the community and various schools across Richmond.

ravens hOmewOrk club

The Ravens Homework Club is a program that supports Aboriginal children and youth with tutoring and mentorship activities. We work with youth after school and provide them with a chance to have some fun, help with homework and an opportunity to develop positive relationships. We have a number of older youth and adults who volunteer as tutors and mentors in the program. Volunteers receive training to prepare them to work with the kids and organize fun things to do.

At the end of the day we want children and youth to be positively engaged, to develop positive relationships and have a chance to see how learning can be fun. Funding for this program and activities are provided through Vancity, the Province of British Columbia, the United Way of the Lower mainland, and private donors and sponsors.

community, and work towards their personal goals. Youth are actively involved in setting priorities, developing activities, and reaching out to the community. There is an Aboriginal Youth Advisory Council that includes youth who help lead the Centre.

the Oskayak garden Project

The OSKAYAK Garden Project is at Terra Nova Garden. The OSKAYAK garden project focuses on living an active and healthy life from a traditional perspective for Aboriginal youth. Participants of the OSKAYAK Garden Project have access to fresh garden food and traditional plants and also receive a certificate for their participation in the program.

Oskayak youth council

This eight member youth council is the governing body of Pathways youth programming. All eight elected members meet bimonthly and work hard to contribute to the day-to-day functioning of youth programming: planning and approving scheduled activities, workshops and outings, while also planning and executing community projects and fundraising efforts for special events. Council members represent Connections Community Services, Pathways Aboriginal Centre and the Richmond community at large at various regional/provincial Aboriginal youth conferences and forums. The council actively promotes the centre’s youth programming to friends, family, and peers with the support of all of its members.

Pathways aboriginal CentrerOOts tO grOw: abOriginal child, yOuth and Family PrOgram

This program offers Aboriginal parents and their children of all ages with one to one, group, family and caregiver support to strengthen individuals, families and foster placements. Children, youth and families are welcome to join us at the centre for drop-in activities, family nights, workshops, cultural learning opportunities and outings. We are able to sit down with you one to one and discuss any challenges or needs you have and work with you towards resolving them and connect you to any needed resources. We can also work with you to engage the Ministry or other government services to address issues or access supports needed. The program is client focused, confidential and works to provide culturally sensitive supports and services. Whether you are a child or youth having challenges at home, at school or personally; a family needing help; or a caregiver supporting a child of a relative or foster placement, we can help and provide access to assistance, cultural activities and social opportunities within Richmond.

Oskayak yOuth PrOgram

The Oskayak Youth Program provides youth between the ages of 14 to 24 an opportunity to connect with their culture, socialize, gain new skills, explore careers, access community resources, participate in group activities, and receive one-to-one support. Aboriginal youth are supported to explore their culture, look into career/education options, volunteer, gain work experience, participate in sharing their culture with the