Partnerships are essential to NCS because we know that alone we can only do so much, but collaboratively, we can provide a greater hand up to Nanoose residents.
We have partners in the broader, Oceanside, community to whom we refer our clients when their needs are above and beyond our resources. Both the Society of Organized Services (SOS) and the Salvation Army provide services from Bowser to Lantzville. However, Nanoose Bay residents receive food cards, emergency services and benefits of the Elf program from Nanoose Community Services.
Through collaboration, there is no overlap in aid. A Nanoose resident who goes to the Salvation Army for food assistance will be referred to NCS. The Salvation Army and NCS client services team regularly exchange information and experiences.
Our client service volunteers often make referrals to specialized assistance. For example; to the SOS program which provides tax return assistance, or volunteer drivers for transportation to medical appointments.
Earlier this year NCS worked with Haven House to provide lodging for a Nanoose resident who had suffered abuse. St. Mary’s Anglican Church staff and members have helped clients in various ways, and they kindly prove space in the church hall for the NCS office.
Both Nanoose Bay dentists, Dr. Justin Holder and Dr. Rustin Abdurahman, have been generous in their emergency assistance to NCS clients and we now have a partnership agreement with Vancouver Island University Dental Hygiene Program to provide services beginning this fall.
The client services team has also developed relationships with hairdressing, optical, and legal service providers in the region, as well as pet food suppliers.
For an enlarged illustration of the unique and overlapping mandates of NCS with our two largest partners, please click here.