grandmother and little child girl making heart shape with hands together with love iStock Image - Heart Hands

Parents & Â鶹ֱ²¥

Schools are at the heart of every community, serving as centres for education, recreation, and social connection. In the Abbotsford School District, we cultivate strong partnerships with a wide range of agencies and organizations dedicated to supporting student success. These collaborations reflect our community’s deep commitment to education and the future of our children. Below, you'll find a variety of resources that may be helpful to your family. If you need further assistance, please don't hesitate to reach out to your school counsellor, youth care worker, principal, middle or high school mental health clinician, or one of our community partners.

 

Expend each item for details on each resource.

Â鶹ֱ²¥ Childcare Information

  • provides child care information services and support to families and child care providers in Abbotsford. 

Â鶹ֱ²¥ Supports for Families of Students with Diverse Abilities

  • – (Ministry of Children and Development)
  • connects families of persons with disabilities with resources available to them.
  • offers a variety of programs from Speech and language pathologist, Occupational Therapists, Behavior Consultants, key workers, etc.
  • assists families of children with Autism with getting support or services in the community.
  • is designed to support students and teens with a severe disability or complex health needs (Provincial Â鶹ֱ²¥ Support)

Educational Links

  • (ACSS) is a non-profit organization is committed to providing and promoting programs that support life-long learning in the Abbotsford Â鶹ֱ²¥. They offer free and cost-effective classes and special events to ensure that every member of the community has the opportunity to participate in their programs.
  • – A bilingual site for educators and families of English Language Learners.
  • – An educational trivia game that helps you get smarter while making a difference for people around the world. The program supports for numeracy, literacy, etc.
    • Ministry of Education early learning webcast #1:  
    • Ministry of Education early learning webcast #2:  
    • Curriculum Full Day Kindergarten – Ministry of Education’s
  • – An Emmy-nominated program of the SAG-AFTRA Foundation, Storyline Online features actors reading children's books to inspire a love of reading worldwide.

Exploitation, Gang Involvement, and Criminal Activity

  • – The Abbotsford Police Department’s PATHWAYS program (for 12 to 19 years of age) offers services to youth and young adults identified as being at-risk for gang-participation or other criminal activities. The intent is to divert these individuals away from the criminal lifestyle.
  • is for youth ages 12 to 18 who are engaging in high-risk behaviors (i.e., shoplifting, gang violence, etc.). A committee will decide if they get accepted or if other referrals are a better support.
  • – Supporting Abbotsford youth (12 to 18 years of age) who are sexually exploited or at high risk of sexual exploitation.

Financial Supports for Loss of Wages, etc.

  •  – Free Wi-Fi

General Â鶹ֱ²¥ Supports and Supports for Early Learning

  • Â鶹ֱ²¥ Services provides a wide variety of programs and services including multi-cultural services, programs for young children, seniors and many more. 
  • – Comprehensive resource listing by category. Phone option available for resourcing and referrals, including crisis response 

Options When Facing Food Scarcity or Housing

  •  (Archway Â鶹ֱ²¥ Services) 33914 Essendene Ave. 604-859-5749, Monday – Thursday, 9:30 – 12:00 (proof of address, Picture ID, and care cards required). In addition to food distribution, in partnership with and other amazing people, AFB offers our guests free dental care at our on-site clinic, kids’ soccer , seasonal , special Hampers, and other exciting .
  • – Abbotsford ACCESS is an initiative of the City of Abbotsford’s Housing, Homelessness and Â鶹ֱ²¥ Development team to enhance collaboration between local stakeholders, which include not-for-profit organizations, local government, health care, educational institutions, law enforcement and business.
  • (Salvation Army – Centre of Hope) - 34081 Gladys Ave.  604-852-9305 – Lunches and perishables available daily, 12-1pm, seven days a week. 
  • – Help with securing stable housing, avoid utility disconnection/re-connect utilities, build financial literacy skills, connect clients with other community resources.
  • – Shelter beds for youth up to 24 years. Walk-in 2616 Ware Street, Phone #: 604-859-5773 (24/7).

Supporting Mental Health and Wellness

  •  â€“ 1-800-668-6868 or Text 686868 – Free 24/7 crisis support for youth.
  • Health Link – 8-1-1
  • - The Abbotsford Child and Youth Committee (ACYC) is a group of community partners, including service providers and family members, that are dedicated to improving the lives of children, youth, and families in Abbotsford.
  • – The Abbotsford Hospice & Grief Support Society helps children, youth, adults and their families as they cope with grief, death and dying through skilled and compassionate support, education, and advocacy.
  •  has links to many different community resources for youth and families coping with depression.
  • – Find a private counsellor. Fee for service.
  • – Abbotsford office 604-870-5880
    • In an immediate mental health crisis, is available to consult with caregivers and youth over the phone at 1-844-782-7811 (direct line to START East team which serves Mission to Boston Bar is 604-743-0765). START may provide assessment, brief crisis stabilization support and referrals for youth in acute crisis.
  • – Early psychosis intervention program assesses individuals between the ages of 13 and 30 who are showing symptoms associated with Psychosis or are experiencing a recent decline in function at school, work or home AND have a family history of Psychotic disorder. 
  • - is all about building safe and caring school communities. 
  • – Support and information for parents with children struggling with their mental health. They offer parent peer support workers, as well as webinars, workshops and articles on parenting and mental health.
  • – Psychology Today Find a counsellor – fee for service.
  • 604-746-3392 – NEW offering virtual drop-in counselling sessions (). For same-day counselling in person/virtual/telephone via Foundry Abbotsford, click and select Same Day Counselling. Foundry also offers a full primary care medical clinic, groups, peer support, parent support, and support with systems navigation.
  • 1-877-820-7444 Free 24/7 crisis support for all ages.
  •  â€“ Offers education and information on responding to mental health challenges especially for parents (anxiety, depression, self harm and suicidal ideation)
  •  - Information about Bullying is provided by the Canadian Mental Health Association, BC Division.
  •  
  • - The BC Children's Kelty Mental Health Resource Centre has resources for parents to support their youth’s mental health.
  • B.C. wide Crisis Line 1-877-588-8717 – Free 24/7 crisis support for all Indigenous people.
  • 1-877-209-1266 – Free 24/7 crisis support for all Indigenous youth.
  • – Offers a free, virtual parent and caregiver coaching program to support First Nations, Métis and Inuit families across BC, whose children are struggling with the experience of big worries and fears, or what the Western worldview calls anxiety.

Supporting New Immigrant Families

  • – Archway Â鶹ֱ²¥ Services offers 90+ programs for community members in Abbotsford, Mission, Chilliwack, Langley as well as an international program in India.
  • – Translation App
  • – a free open educational resource that promotes literacy and language learning in homes, schools, and communities. 
  • - Support for new immigrant families with school-aged children.
  • – Communicate with the school in your home language to build strong partnerships all year long.

Tutors

  • created a list of tutors.

Violence in the Home

  • – 604-852-6008 (24/7)
  • – Counselling and support for female-identifying victims of domestic violence.
  •  – 1-800-563-0808 (24-hour help line), or email VictimLinkBC@bc211.ca

Additional Resources

  •  
  • provides information on child health, growth, and development, as well as services which include screening, assessment, referrals, immunizations, communicable disease control, and access to resource materials. They also offer prenatal and postnatal services, as well as programs that focus on health promotion.
  • of BC 
  • 604-859-3134
  • offers protection against the unexpected costs of injury from accidents and is especially valuable for families who:
    • do not have medical or dental plans,
    • have limited plans, as it may help supplement health and dental benefits, or
    • have active children who enjoy sports and outdoor activities.
  • – Evidence-based children's health info for diverse families on social media from a network of trusted health professionals. This evidence-based health information is translated and adapted to help you make the right decisions for yours and your family's health.
  • has been helping people in the Lower Mainland for more than 80 years. Working with over 150 community partners, we fund over 300 programs each year to create a better future for children, families and seniors.