Find Support

We believe healthy families make communities thrive, and Thrive Family Programs reflect our commitment to supporting parents through the joys and challenges that each new day can bring. We know that thriving is not an end point or a single destination. It’s an ongoing journey of growth. We are dedicated to meeting local families where they are presently and providing the resources they need to thrive.

Learn More

Contact Thrive Family Programs at 604-986-9311 or email us.

Email Thrive
 

We look forward to welcoming you back to Thrive Family Programs with new hours as well as capacity limitations. Please see new hours listed below. If you would like to use our Exchange Room or Community Cupboard outside of our new hours, please call Kim Laforest at 236-982-9870 to make an appointment.

We can help through:

Thrive Family Centres

Our Thrive Family Centres offer free programs where you can play, learn, and connect with your children from birth to six years of age. Enjoy child-led play, crafts, songs, and stories while interacting with other parents, grandparents, and caregivers. Our experienced staff provide support, resources, and referrals to give you the help you need to ensure your child has a healthy start in life.

Thrive Family Centres are located at:

Thrive Maplewood Indoor Drop-in program Hours:   

  • Monday – Thursday, 9:30 – 11:30 am and  12:30 – 2:30 pm (2 sessions each day).

Thrive West Vancouver Indoor Drop-in program Hours:

  • Monday-Friday, 9:30 – 11:30 am

*Note all programs are operating on limited capacity basis first come-first served.

As programming is subject to change during this time, we suggest that you check our website and Facebook channel for the most up to date information.

Please see our Covid-19 Safety Protocols here.

Thrive Breastfeeding and Postpartum Support

*Temporarily on hold*

Drop in for social connection, information, consultation, and support in an empowering atmosphere. Our Breastfeeding and Postpartum Support group is facilitated by a board-certified lactation consultant and on-site counsellor. If you are a new parent looking for this kind of support, please join us virtually.  Click here to download a registration form for our virtual support group.  Once you’ve completed the registration form, please return as an electronic document or as an image to thrive@familyservices.bc.ca, include Breastfeeding in the subject line.

Thrive Parent Support Group

A weekly free drop-in group for North Shore parents and caregivers with children from birth to six years old.  Connect with other parents for conversation and support in a professionally facilitated group setting.  Click here for detailed information including date and time.  The Parent Support Group is currently taking place virtually. Please click here to download a registration form for our virtual support group. Once you’ve completed the registration form, please return to as an electronic document or as an image to thrive@familyservices.bc.ca, please include Parent Support in the subject line.  

Thrive One-to-One Parent Support 

Additional parenting support is available on a one-to-one basis. Please contact us at 604-986-9311 to make an appointment with one of our parenting support counsellors. They are available on Mondays and Thursdays.

Thrive Pancakes and Play for Dads and Male Caregivers

Dads and male caregivers are always welcome at all Thrive programs, but we know sometimes dads need different support and can benefit from connecting with each other. If you are a dad with young children living on the North Shore, please drop in to Pancakes and Play to learn, play, and connect with your children and other dads or male caregivers.

Sundays 9:30-11:30 a.m.  

Thrive Maplewood clothing and toy exchange

You and your family are welcome to take what you need and are able to use. We accept donations of clean toys, diapers, toiletries, books, and clothing for children from birth to age sixteen, as well as maternity clothes. Please note that we are currently accepting donations, of rain gear and winter outdoor clothing for both adults and children to ensure we all have what we need to play outside year-round. Please call Kim Laforest at 236-982-9870  if you would like to make an appointment outside of Thrive Drop-In hours to use the clothing and toy exchange.

Thrive Community Food Cupboard

You and your family are welcome to take what you need and are able to use. We accept donations of canned fruit, healthy snacks, non-dairy shelf-able milks, tea and coffee.  Please call Kim Laforest at 236-982-9870 if you would like to make an appointment outside of Thrive Drop-In Hours  to visit the Community Food Cupboard.

Thrive Parent-Child Mother Goose 

An engaging group experience, where you and your young children can share rhymes, stories, and songs designed to foster parent-child connections and positive early experiences with language and music.

Summer 2022 sessions:

  • Toddlers: Wednesdays, July 6-Aug 24, 10:15-11:15am at West Vancouver Memorial Library
  • Infants: Wednesdays, July 6-Aug 24, 11:30am – 12:30pm at West Vancouver Memorial Library

Registration is now open for the above summer sessions.  To register, please click here.

Our Songbook

All North Shore parents can attend Thrive programming at no cost – regardless of your social or financial circumstances, thanks to our generous funders and donors.  Thrive Family Programs are funded in part by the Government of Canada, Province of British Columbia, City of North Vancouver, District of North Vancouver, and District of West Vancouver.

 

I found that I was quite fragile as a new parent, and the kindness and supportive environment I found at the Breastfeeding and Postpartum Support group were invaluable to my experience.– Participant