By Ian Holmes

Tillicum Lelum’s new childcare centre nears completion

Nov 3, 2017 | 6:02 PM

NANAIMO — The latest addition to an already expansive list of programs offered by the Tillicum Lelum Aboriginal Friendship Centre (TLAFC) is expected to open in the new year.

Tammie Myles, who’s overseeing construction of Tillicum’s new childcare centre on Tenth St. in Nanaimo, said the facility will provide room for 50 children between three and 12-years-old.

“(We’re) trying to instill a continuum of care where we’re taking younger and younger people and wrapping them around with support so they have better outcomes in the future.”

Myles said many of their wide-ranging 50 programs are for Indigenous and non-Indigenous people, which includes their childcare centre.

She told NanaimoNewsNOW while a premium is placed on intellectual and physical development for young children, there will be a more holistic feel when the doors to their childcare centre open.

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“We often ignore our emotional and our spiritual development and we’re saying there needs to be a balance in all of that for somebody to be whole.”

Myles expected monthly costs will be in the range of $850 and $1,000 for childcare, while an after school program for five to 12-year-olds will be in the $375 range monthly.

Tillicum Lelum’s Tenth St. site includes a youth safe house, affordable housing, transitional housing for young mothers, along with a community sweat lodge and garden.

Myles noted TLAFC, a non-profit society, serves about 70 per cent of the 10,000 Indigenous people living in the greater Nanaimo area. She estimated about 30 per cent of people accessing Tillicum services are non-Indigenous.

Myles said they are about a quarter of the way to their fundraising goal of $2 million for the new childcare centre. People can donate to support Tillicum Lelum online here.

ian@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @reporterholmes