The Pacific Centre Family Services Association (PCFSA) is almost ready to start helping residents in its new building on Goldstream Avenue.
While physically located in Colwood, the impact from these additional services will be felt across the West Shore and the region. That was evident by the community representatives present at last Friday’s ribbon cutting ceremony, which included Premier John Horgan, Lt. Gov. Judith Guichon, MLA Mitzi Dean, local mayors and councillors, as well as first responders and other service providers from across Greater Victoria.
“The Pacific Centre … is in the business of promoting dignity and quality of life for individuals and families across Greater Victoria,” Guichon said.
Whether it’s senior or youth, she noted the services the centre offers helps keep people in their homes through many different programs that are based on respect.
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“It’s so very difficult to put a dollar figure on the benefits provided by all of the services offered now and in the future because in fact, by encouraging possibilities, the Pacific Centre Family Services Association keeps people from becoming statistics.”
Horgan added, “the Pacific Centre has done so much for the people in this region over five decades … We’re a growing community and with growth comes challenges, whether it be for children, whether it be for women fleeing abuse, whether it be for basic services for those in need.”
The Pacific Centre offers a number of services, including counselling, youth outreach, parent/teen mediation and many more, which will continue to be offered at the original building at 345 Wale Rd. as well as the new space at 324 Goldstream Ave. which isn’t quite ready to start serving clients.
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“I really just want to say thank you to everybody,” said Dean, who, before making the recent shift into politics, served as the association’s executive director for more than a decade.
“Sometimes when you have a significant milestone like this, it turns your universe upside down … but I think this will turn it right side up,” she said, noting the desperate need for more family services on the West Shore.
“This is a standing monument to collaboration.”
Colwood Mayor Carol Hamilton added to that. “This is an open resource for our community that is so badly needed,” she said. “This is a realization of a dream … thank you for your commitment and your vision.” For more information on services, go to pacificcentrefamilyservices.org.