By Sarah Tesla
The Sunshine Coast Resource Centre has been a vital part of the Sunshine Coast community since its inception in 1992. Initially established as a Women’s Resource Centre, it expanded its mandate in 2004 to serve all residents of the Lower Coast while still addressing the unique needs of women. Over the years, the Centre has become a trusted hub for community support, advocacy, and information.
Our Mission
The Centre operates with a clear mission: to be a navigation and advocacy hub that ensures equitable access to social resources, promoting health and well-being for all. This mission is supported by a vision of a Sunshine Coast where every individual is empowered and connected to the resources they need, creating a more inclusive and supportive community for all residents.
Central to the Centre’s operations are its values, which are embodied in the acronym CARE:
- Collaboration: Working together with community partners and individuals to achieve shared goals.
- Advocacy: Standing up for the rights and needs of the community, particularly for those facing barriers.
- Respect: Treating every person with dignity and acknowledging their inherent worth.
- Equity: Ensuring fair access to resources, recognizing and addressing systemic inequalities.
Our Programs
The Resource Centre takes a grassroots approach to community development, informed by extensive consultations and needs assessments. By collaborating with local organizations and government bodies, the Centre strives to address emerging issues and enhance the services available to Sunshine Coast residents.
The Centre’s programs and services reflect its mission and values. These include:
- Information Hub: Helping individuals connect with local, provincial, and federal programs, while providing assistance with forms and technology.
- Community Legal Advocacy: Offering support on issues like tenancy, disability applications, employment law, and human rights.
- Caregiver Support Network: Providing resources and guidance for unpaid caregivers, including one-on-one assistance and help navigating the healthcare system.
- Volunteer Sunshine Coast: Encouraging community engagement by connecting individuals with meaningful volunteer opportunities.
- Seniors Community Connector: social prescribing to offer non-medical support that assists older adults in identifying and achieving personal health and wellness goals.
- Computer Kindness: Connecting folks with devices, enhancing digital literacy, and preventing the disposal of electronics in our landfill.
- Community Volunteer Income Tax Program: Our team of community volunteers will help you with the preparation of current and prior-year tax returns.
- Volunteer Sunshine Coast: Empowering individuals to make a positive impact in our community.
- Seniors Planning Table: We work collaboratively as seniors, service providers, community organizations and local governments to ensure that supports and programs are available for all older adults living on the Sunshine Coast.
In addition to these services, the Centre leads impactful initiatives like the Poverty Reduction Action Project, which works to address systemic challenges and foster greater social inclusion.
Our Community
Located in Sechelt, the Centre acknowledges and honours the traditional, ancestral, and unceded territories of the shíshálh (Sechelt) and skwxwú7mesh (Squamish) peoples, where it operates.
Through its commitment to its mission, vision, and values, the Sunshine Coast Resource Centre continues to empower individuals, build community connections, and advocate for a more equitable future. It remains a vital resource for residents, ensuring that no one on the Sunshine Coast is left without the support they need.