Welcome to the Community Resources page for Nanaimo Ladysmith Public Schools!
We believe in the power of collaboration between our schools and the wider community to ensure the success and well-being of all our students.
Whether you are looking for support services, local organizations, or educational resources, this page offers a variety of helpful links and information to connect families, students, and educators to valuable community programs and services.
Nanaimo Ladysmith Public Schools shares resources and events that meet the following criteria:
- Relevant to a K-12 audience.
- Non-profit, local organizations only. (Based in Nanaimo or the Mid-Island region).
- Low to no-cost to families and caregivers.
- Event/organization aligns with the district’s commitment to a safe, inclusive and equitable learning community for all.
- The district reserves the sole discretion to determine what information is shared on this page. Postings are dependent on department capacity.
- Information shared on this page does not equal endorsement and/or support from Nanaimo Ladysmith Public Schools. It is for information purposes only.
Indigenous Speaker Series at VIU
Featuring Billy-Ray Belourt, a writer and academic from the Driftpile Cree Nation
My Mother’s house: A story of haunting and colonial history
When: Tuesday, November 18, 6:30 to 8 pm
Where: Malaspina Theatre (Building 310), VIU’s Nanaimo campus or online
Billy-Ray Belcourt is a writer and academic from the Driftpile Cree Nation in northwest Alberta. His talk begins with his mother’s house – where the nuns who ran the local residential school once lived – in order to insist on new ways to make sense of the ongoing impacts of colonialism. In this talk, he will share some of his community’s history, bridging the historical and the personal in addressing the question of how to tell the story of the afterlife of the twentieth century.
Nahlah Ayed, host of Ideas, will emcee the event.
Coats for Christmas
Coats for Christmas is a community-driven initiative organized in partnership with Volunteer Nanaimo and the Salvation Army, aiming to help local individuals and families stay warm during the winter season. The project collects gently used or new coats, jackets, scarves, gloves, and other winter wear for people in need across the Nanaimo area.
Accepting Donations
Saturday, December 13
10AM – 4PM
St. Andrews Presbyterian Church – 4235 Departure Bay Road
Accepting new and gently used clothing:
- coats
- hats
- gloves
- socks
- sweaters
- new underwear
form more information reach out to volunteernanaimo.youthnetwork@gmail.com
Oceanside Eagles Volleyball Tryouts
Club Tryouts
2025/26 Season
Oceanside Volleyball Club welcomes athletes from all over Vancouver Island. All athletes interested in joining the OVC Eagles are required to attend tryouts. Online registration needs to be submitted with payment prior to attending tryouts.
2025 Tryout Registration will open on October 15th 2025
Tryouts are based on the athlete’s date of birth as per Volleyball BC:
14U: born between Sept 2011 and Dec 2012
15U: born between Sept 2010 and Dec 2011
16U: born between Sept 2009 and Dec 2010
Please follow the links below for more information on club volleyball:
Volleyball BC’s ‘Guide to Club Volleyball’ for Players and Families
OVC – FAQ’s
KeyNote Speaker Series with VI Symphony
Discover the vibrant commitment of Vancouver Island Symphony to music education. At the Vancouver Island Symphony, we believe in the transformative power of music and its ability to inspire and educate. Our unwavering commitment to music education within our community is a testament to this belief.
Emphasizing our commitment to lifelong learning, we are proud to again present the KeyNote Speakers Series. This enlightening series of lectures, available as pay-what-you-can, offers a unique perspective on music’s role in culture and education, making it accessible to everyone regardless of their financial situation.
Join us at the Vancouver Island Symphony as we continue to foster a love of music and learning in our vibrant community. Together, let’s create a harmonious future inspired by the power of music.
Details and pay-what-you-can tickets here: https://vancouverislandsymphony.com/keynote-speaker-series/
Rainbows Nanaimo
Guiding out youth through the storms of life. For all children
Trained volunteers and school staff facilitate small groups in which kids learn about their feelings and coping skills for handling life changes.
2221 Bowen Road, Nanaimo, BC V9S 5J3
Wednesdays
October 1 – December 3
6:30PM – 7:30PM
For more information contact Taylor LeBrun – rainbowsnanaimo@gmail.com
Play it Forward
Now accepting new, gently used, or extra sports equipment for families in Nanaimo.
A leadership project by 4th-year VIU BSN Students
Drop off Dates
October 22 – November 12, 2025
During School Hours
Dover Bay Secondary – front lobby
Wellington Secondary – front lobby
Community Giveaway Day
Families encouraged to come and choose the equipment they will need
November 27, 2025
4:00PM – 7:00PM
BCG Youth Drop In
North Nanaimo Library Branch
Wednesdays
3:00PM – 5:00PM
Youth ages 11 – 18
Noteworthy Kids Sing- VI Symphony
Do you have a child who loves to sing?
The Vancouver Island Symphony’s Noteworthy Kids Choir, led by VIS choir director Patricia Plumley, is perfect for children aged 7 through 12.
No experience is necessary!
Learn more about the program and register at https://vancouverislandsymphony.com/noteworthy-kids-sing/
Youth Art Collective – Nanaimo Art Gallery
Learn directly from professional artists and engage with
the Gallery’s exhibitions, gaining inspiration that will launch
you into the next generation of artists. Connect with other
teens in the region and grow your artistic community!
Thursdays: 4:00-7:00 PM
Age: 14-19 Years
Registration Required
Teen Art Drop-In – Nanaimo Art Gallery
Experiment with different materials, hang out with
friends, and join our creative community. Don’t miss
out on the creative vibes and great company!
Wednesdays: 3:30-6:30 PM
Age: 12-17 Years
Affordable Dental Care for Families
The clinic offers high-quality dental hygiene services at a reduced cost, $35 for adults and $20 for children.
This could be a valuable resource for families in your school community; particularly those who do not have dental insurance and those who are covered by insurance programs, such as the Canadian Dental Care Plan, that only partially cover their treatment costs.
Appointments are booked by calling our dental clinic at 250-740-6240 or by emailing dentalclinic@viu.ca
Oceanside Volleyball Club
Develop skills to prepare for the upcoming season!
Spare Blox
The ultimate place to have some fun with other youth in your community!
Programs Designed for those with Diverse Abilities
Check out what the City of Nanaimo has available for programs for those with diverse abilities!
RDN Active Living Guide
Find out what’s going on in the regional district! Register for your favorite events today!
KidsSport Canada
KidsSport Nanaimo provides grants to help cover the costs of registration fees so that all kids under 18 years in Nanaimo can play a season of sport.
The Chapter accepts applications and administers grants of up to $400 per child, per year. Apply for a grant today.
Check out the City of Nanaimo’s Resource guide for youth!
City of Nanaimo & BC Gaming Grants
Have a look at the community and youth grants available:
- Enabling Accessibility Fund – Youth innovation component
- Enviroment
- Public Safety
- Social Planning Grant
- Community Program Development Grant
BGC – This Way ONward
This Way ONward is a job-readiness program that provides the next generation with the first jobs, mentoring, skills, and confidence they need to find their way in today’s job market.