The Neutral Zone is now at Woodlands Secondary after their space was destroyed at the Franklyn St. gym. (Ian Holmes/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Spencer Sterritt

neutral zone

Valuable free programming sees attendance decline after moving to new location

Nov 25, 2020 | 5:27 AM

NANAIMO — A reduced number of vulnerable children and families are receiving the care they need after a valuable program in Nanaimo was forced to move.

The Neutral Zone, which offered free programming from the Tillicum Lelum Aboriginal Friendship Centre, is now at Woodlands Secondary on Strathmore St. It was forced to move after its old home at the Franklyn St. gym in downtown Nanaimo was destroyed in October, 2018.

Grace Elliott-Nielsen, executive director of Tillicum Lelum, told NanaimoNewsNOW their attendance has dwindled since the move.

“It just isn’t the same. A lot of the people we help are close to downtown. Some of the people we helped lived under the bridges. We need a gym that’s closer to town.”

A wide variety of programs for all ages were offered when the Neutral Zone was downtown. This included a meal service and counselling for anyone in need.

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Elliott-Nielsen said they’ve still managed to provide much of the same services, but they’re now more constricted by the space and hours in which they can help people.

Woodlands Secondary is also home to the Learning Alternatives program, which helps students find a different type of classroom where they can thrive.

Not having as many services offered at more times has created ripple effects in the low-income communities Tillicum Lelum helps.

“It’s just so important to keep them thinking and talking, providing as much encouragement and connection as possible. They’re not just one little alone person with no one or nothing to reach out to,” Elliott-Nielsen said.

“People just need to feel like they belong.”

She said Tillicum Lelum is still pursuing a more permanent location for the Neutral Zone.

Their old home is currently slated to be demolished.

spencer@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @SpencerSterritt