The Campbell River Senior Peer Counselling (CRSPC) program has been providing skilled volunteer peer support to older adults in our community since 2007.
Currently more than 30 seniors are receiving free, quality ongoing weekly emotional support from 16 trained senior counsellors. This program runs on a small budget, with a few hours of paid coordination and the rest volunteer time, as well as donated space and administrative support. This year they have experienced three times more requests for counsellors over last year.
According to the 2011 Stats Can Census, there has been a 31 per cent increase in persons over 65 years of age in Campbell River since 2006. This is reflected in the ongoing increased need for services. CRSPC desperately needs to train more volunteers in order to meet this ongoing increased need. They are funded primarily by a grant from the United Way of Central-Northern Vancouver Island.
They requested $12,000 but last year the United Way’s local campaign did not raise anticipated funds, therefore they only received $6,000. The program is in a $6,000 deficit. They are seeking donations to keep this important program going. The organization is a registered non-profit Canadian charity officially called the Vancouver Island North Women’s Resource Society which has operated the Campbell River Women’s Centre and other community programs since 1983. Monetary donations made out to our society name qualify for an official income tax receipt for a charitable tax deduction. For more information please call 250-287-3044 or visit the Women’s Centre.