Executive director of the Island Crisis Care Society Violet Hayes announced she's retiring from her role after 15 years. (Image Credit: Island Crisis Care Society)

By Jordan Davidson

community advocate

‘Very proud of the work we do:’ Island Crisis Care Society seeks new executive director

Feb 2, 2026 | 4:27 PM

NANAIMO — A dedicated leader of a local non-profit is stepping down after 15 years at the helm.

Violet Hayes whose been with the Island Crisis Care Society (ICCS) since 2010 and serving as executive director since 2011, recently decided to step down from the role.

Hayes said she’s proud of the challenges they’ve overcome during her time, like opening the Orca Place supportive housing complex in Parksville in 2019.

“I think we’ve been open six-and-a-half years, and now have great support in the community from the City, from some of the people who were so opposed, now they see it as a great asset in the community. Those things that we’ve done have really made me very proud of the work we do at ICCS. Seeing lives changed, that’s probably one of the biggest things.”

ICCS provides housing and outreach programs to stabilize people in crisis, with operations in Nanaimo and the Oceanside areas.

Batter Up

Mid Island Pirates full of optimism as baseball season begins

1h ago

headed to trial

Wife of Nanaimo prosecutor pleads not guilty to fraud & theft charges

16h ago

vandalism

Nanaimo RCMP investigate vandalized Iranian advocacy signs

17h ago

Other local programs and initiatives Hayes was involved in include the temporary housing facility at 250 Terminal Ave, and taking over the operations of the Nanaimo Bakery and Confectionery on Bowen Rd. in 2021.

Hayes emphasized more upstream work is required across Canada to prevent people from becoming unhoused in the first place.

“One thing we’ve really learned at ICCS is that once we get people into the supportive housing or the transitional housing, then those wraparound supports are really important to get people to where they need to be. And a lot of times, that’s work that’s not funded, so we’ve been very successful in raising those funds with the Coldest Night of the Year walk that’s coming up soon (Feb. 28), and just general donations and grants.”

Other programs which have come online during her time include Samaritan Place, David’s Place Recovery Program, and operating the daytime services at The Hub on Nanaimo’s Victoria Rd.

With another location for The Hub yet to be found as the March 31 deadline looms, Hayes hopes one is found soon for those services, before she calls it a career.

“We’re serving approximately up to 130 people a day in that daytime Hub, and so I really hope that we can. It would be a great end to my work life if we could do something, have a miracle happen…that we could move our services into a different location.”

Hayes said she’s long viewed looking at all clients as a “whole person”, regardless of their circumstances, and hopes her message continues after she’s gone.

“It’s very easy to see a certain behaviour and make a judgment, but to see that everyone is someone’s son or daughter, mother, grandparent, whatever it is, everyone is a person, and everyone deserves to be valued.”

Hayes is also on the board of directors for Loaves and Fishes Community Food Bank, Hammond Bay Baptist Church board, and represented ICCS on the Community Advisory Board in Nanaimo, and the Oceanside Task Force on Homelessness in Parksville.

Hayes said she’ll remain in the role until a replacement is secured and trained.

Once out of the role, Hayes plans to continue working with Loaves and Fishes and get more involved in her local church as she enjoys her retirement.

More information on ICCS’s search for a new executive director can be found here.

We’re on Bluesky! Stay up to date on news across central Vancouver Island through Bluesky, by following @NanaimoNewsNOW.bsky.social.

info@nanaimonewsnow.com

Follow us on: Twitter (X) | Bluesky | Facebook