SOS Children's Village BC

SOS Children’s Village BC is a uniquely caring community of foster parents who are part of Vancouver Aboriginal Child and Family Services Society (VACFSS) network of foster parents. VACFSS provides service to urban Aboriginal children and families living in the Greater Vancouver area. SOS BC works in co-operation with VACFSS in order to provide quality enhanced support services to foster children and their foster parents.

There are five homes on site on our 2.5 acre site, providing family care for children between the ages of infancy and 19. Each home has a capacity for three to six children. SOS BC has a primary commitment to those children who require long-term care. In the spirit of inclusive foster care, continuity and permanence, SOS is committed to encouraging and maintaining links between children, their siblings, their biological and extended family and other significant people in their lives as long as that is deemed in the child's best interests.

Cultural development is critical for those children and youth residing at our Village site who are Aboriginal. Talking circles, smudging ceremonies, connecting to elders, and celebration events contribute to the child's sense of belonging, increasing cultural awareness and enhancing self esteem.

Each child has needs based on their unique life experiences and the plan for the care of that child must be developed based on those particular needs. This means providing opportunities and funding for a variety of activities from therapy to music lessons and literacy tutoring, camps, sports and recreation opportunities, and specialized arts and culture programs.

Foster parents are supported in order to generate and maintain the personal resilience required to work with foster children. Foster parents who live on the village site are given one-to-one support by the Village Director, on-going training, alleviation from house repairs and maintenance, as well as crisis counseling if the need arises.