Programs and Services

Community Income Tax Program
Under the Nanaimo Volunteer and Information Centre Society, this program is sponsored by the Canada Revenue Agency. Trained volunteers provide essential assistance for people on low and fixed income, to individuals on pensions, or disability claims, and to the unemployed. They process personal income tax returns at no charge to individuals. The resulting returns feed thousands of dollars back into our local economy annually. Appointments are available year round to people who qualify for this valuable service.

Youth Volunteer Corps
The Youth Volunteer Corps of Nanaimo (YVC), a program of the Nanaimo Volunteer and Information Centre Society, offers young people, age 11 to 18, an opportunity to be involve in problem solving through structured, meaningful, team based, and reflective volunteer service. Not for profit organizations are given the opportunity to submit project proposals to YVC
and the teen selection committee. Youth in groups of 8-10 along with an adult team leader complete the selected project. This Program normally runs during the summer months, with the Government of Canada contributing funding to this initiative.

Vancouver Island Community Knitters Association (VICKA)
This Association is based at the offices of Volunteer Nanaimo, #3 – 2350 Labieux Road, Nanaimo. Volunteer Nanaimo acts as liaison between VICKA and knitters in the Nanaimo community receiving donations of knitted items including children’s clothing, scarves, gloves, etc. and blanket squares which VICKA collects on a regular basis. The squares are sewn together to form blankets which are distributed to the needy in wintertime, and the children’s clothing is also donated to those families who need them. VICKA also provides donated wool to their community knitters as and when received.

Vancouver Island Technology Program (Watchdog)
This program provides technical coaching services to non-profit organizations and seniors. Coaches work with key staff and volunteers to help better understand and maintain healthy, safe and secure computer systems in Non-Profit organizations. Staff and volunteers learn how to clean up, then back up their systems. They'll show you where to find and how to install free and effective security programs. 
Call the Vancouver Island Technology Program at Volunteer Nanaimo 250.758.7121 or email vn.watchdog@shaw.ca

'DebtFree'
'DebtFree' is a program to help people create a Debt Plan.  We offer confidential, one-on-one meetings with our 'DebtFree' Coaches to help you make a plan to minimize debt or how to stay out of debt.  It is about having financial freedom; learning about budgeting, credit card abuse, Interact and other potential pitfalls. There is no cost to individuals whose income is $25,000 per year or less or families whose income is $40,000 or less.  Click on this link DebtFree for resource information on how to get started and or call Volunteer Nanaimo 250.758.7121 or email vn@volunteernanaimo.ca to make an appointment to meet with a Coach.
 

Community Dental Program (CODE)
The Community Dental Program is a new Nanaimo based volunteer initiative to bring dental services to those in need and unable to afford them. Thanks  to the generosity of dentists here in the Nanaimo area, we have opened  a volunteer based dental office in Downtown Nanaimo. A special thanks to the generous support of the City of Nanaimo on this one of a kind initiative.

Here is their website: http://www.codeclinic.org/CodeClinic_Home.html