The Best Buddies program matches people with disabilities with students from UVic who wish to volunteer. Our program gives people with disabilities the chance to have experiences that most people take for granted – going for coffee, out to a movie, or simply enjoying the company of a good friend.

Matches are made according to interests and Buddy Pairs meeting once or twice a month to do something fun together. We also organize several group events where everyone is welcome to join in the fun including hikes, watching sporting events like hockey or basketball, karaoke, and movie nights.

“Best Buddies is only continuing to grow and this year was no exception. The entire group consists of 146 people with 68 buddy matches. The program follows the university school year and includes monthly group events from October – April. Buddy pairs are encouraged to meet up a couple times each month, and communicate weekly either by phone or e-mail. All members of Best Buddies are invited to the events, including those who have not yet been matched with a Buddy as we like to encourage friendships across the whole Best Buddy group.”

This program runs through the school year, September – April.

For more information please email BestBuddies@Lnv.ca or call 250-477-4112.

Karaoke is on November 25!

The Employment Program is for individuals who are interested in exploring their potential for employment.

Lifetime Networks offers various approaches to support people in reaching their goals, including:

Customized Employment Support

We offer Customized Employment Development Services (CEDS) that combine service options to effectively support the unique needs of a job seeker. CEDS involve creating a job or self-employment opportunity that is customized to the individual needs, skills, abilities and contributions of an individual.

One-to-One Employment Supports

Our Employment Facilitator will meet with you to assess your employment support needs and provide one-to-one individualized job search support. Individuals will complete a comprehensive, strengths-based discovery assessment. The assessment is a person-centred approach to understanding the individual, their strengths and abilities, as well as what supports may be necessary for their success in the workplace.

Based on the results of the discovery assessment, employment support provided to individuals may include: career cruising, unpaid work experience, customized employment development (working with employers to create a position based on the strengths and needs of the job seeker), job development (assisting individuals to pursue traditional employment opportunities and employment counseling).

Job coaching is provided for employment retention once a job placement has been secured.

Days and times for some employment supports are dependent on personal choice.

Fees are conditional upon circumstances.

Outreach Support is for people who are living on their own, or planning to live on their own, and need a little extra support to be successful.

Each individual’s Outreach Support is based entirely on their personal goals, needs and the disability related supports they may require.

Other times it’s more of a mentoring relationship to increase personal safety and good decision-making.

This program will be tailored to you. We’ll work together towards independent success.

Days and times are dependent on personal choice.

Outreach Support may include:

• Budgeting and financial literacy coaching
• Planning nutritional meals and shopping together
• Mentoring with meal preparation
• Support to organize self and home
• Facilitation to access the community in fulfilling ways

Fees are conditional upon circumstances.

For those interested in fine arts we offer the Lifetime Networks Theatre Troupe!

Participants in this program create, write and perform their own show two times a year to often sold out crowds.

Participants can expect to increase their skills in:

• Song writing
• Comedy writing
• Prop creation
• Dancing
• Acting
• Singing

Fees are conditional upon circumstances.