Every kid really does need a place to belong. Critical learning takes place in the first six years of a child’s life–learning that requires a nurturing and caring environment. That’s why the YMCA opened a new 5,600 square foot child care and family development centre in East Vancouver’s Mount Pleasant neighbourhood. Thanks to the generous support of Bob and Kay Ackles and the Robert L. Conconi Foundation, dozens of families have a state-of-the-art facility that helps their children grow up strong and confident. Located in one of the most vulnerable areas of Vancouver, the Bob and Kay Ackles YMCA Nanook House provides a haven for a diverse group of 37 children, ranging in age from 18 months to five years.

Opened in 2009, this program was designed with a community–centred approach to help vulnerable children and families, providing both much needed child care spaces and links to services and resources to help nurture the potential of kids and families. In addition to a full–time cook who provides nutritious meals to the kids and families and a full-time community programmer who provides much needed one-on-one support, Nanook House offers various workshops on nutrition, education, abuse, addiction, employment and other topics that support the development of healthy families.

To learn more, please e-mail nanook at vanymca.org or call 604–872–7011.

For families looking for child care, please submit the form below via email (nanook at vanymca.org) or via fax (604–872–7071) to be added to the waitlist.

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