Our Mission
What we do
History
Board of Directors
Staff
Our mission statement:
“To offer a place for men to gather; to foster independence, to live with honesty, integrity and have positive relationships with family, and all members of their community.”
Vision:
"The vision of The Cowichan Men's Resource Centre is to ensure a society infused with the habit of equality and equity between men and women for peaceful co-existence and development in their communities."
What We Do:
• Offer counselling, support, and referrals to men in the emotional, psychological, intellectual, and spiritual dimensions of their lives
• Offer tools & strategies for the fostering of strong and healthy relationships with partners, families, and community -- where all feel affirmed, validated, respected, and cherished
• Support men in learning to communicate and enrich existing relationships
• Help men with family court/divorce, separation, custody and access issues
• Support adolescent males of age 12-17 to grow into strong, healthy men who have a strong sense of self, inner purpose and direction
• Promote community awareness regarding men and men’s issues, and advocate on men's behalf
• The information gathered from this survey will assist us in defining the needs of your community, and will assist us in developing timely, relevant, and client-centred programs.
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History:
Started in 2004 as a group of men gathering together to share stories and brotherhood, the Cowichan Valley Men’s Centre has followed the rhythm of a heart beat or a breath.
Our vision was to create a place where men could be authentic and assist each other through struggles and help to grow as community members, fathers and partners. Many community connections were established and a good reputation was achieved. A phone line was established that offered men individual help. A logo highlighting the Cowichan connection was adopted. During the writing of a proposal against family violence, active cooperation between several community groups such as WAVAW, RCMP, Cowichan Family life and others was achieved. The lack of support for men who were struggling became more obvious as community organizations were looking for support for these men and called the established phone line. Connections to the Cowichan Crisis Line were made. Canadian Mental Health called for potential referrals; and Victim Services recently inquired about potential help for men. Several open circles were held; and for a while, a drop in group was maintained.In and out, the organization would grow for a while and contract for a while, then expand again. In its first peak in 2005, men came together to formally register the non-profit society. Their first formal meeting was in August of that year. This group worked together to build consensus around the need for men’s circles and programs that supported men in the Valley.
Initially, men’s groups were held in several meetings were held in the basement meeting room of the Silverfern Medical Clinic with the best wishes of Board member, Dr Stephen Faulkner; and then expanded to a local church hall. Through public awareness and development men joined to support the efforts of the group.
One of our members for a number of years, Ken Kobewka, passed away from Cancer during this time. He will be remembered for his valuable contribution to our team, for his sense of humour and quite strength.
In 2008, discussions began about increasing the financial stability of the organization and in 2009 funding was secured to do an analysis of the needs and wants of a community around Men and their families.
Board of Directors:
We would like to thank you for your interest in the Cowichan Men’s Resource Centre.
Our mission statement:
“To offer a place for men to gather to foster independence, to live with honesty, integrity and have positive relationships with family and all members of their community.”
We intend to accomplish this through courses, programs, and other venues offered to men and families. As well, through information and resource referrals, we aim to transform some of the stereotypes and barriers of what society has labeled as a “Real Man”, and foster the idea that a Real Man not only offers assistance to others, but seeks it out for himself when in need.
So please, take the time to visit, and look over our website, fill in a survey and give us your feedback, thoughts and desires of what you and your community needs.
Thank you.
Miles Phillips - President
Cowichan Men's Resource Centre Society
Board of Directors Members:
Miles Phillips – Environmental Consultant
Grant Waldman – Business owner
Clive Michael Justice - Educational Assistant and Personal Coach
Bill Wagg – Counsellor
Christopher Armstrong – Internet Design Consultant
Allan Firth – Teacher
Board of directors and staff for the Cowichan Men’s Resource Centre Society:
Lana Pagaduan, Joe Barton, Miles Phillips,
Grant Waldman,
Christopher Armstrong, Doug Dame, Allan Firth, Bill Wagg, Clive Michael Justice.
Advisory Board Team:
Cheryl Stone – Community Options Society
Maureen Gallinger – Cowichan Family Life
Jacquie Smith – Seniors Resource Centre
Debbie Williams – House of Friendship
Patti Delisle – Warmland Womyn’s Centre
Erin Generous – Big Brothers – Big Sisters
Michelle Nowzek – Social Planning Cowichan
Zoran Simonovic – Cowichan Independent Living
Advisory Board Team:
Al Lawrence, Zoran Simonovic, Cheryl Stone, Miles Phillips, Grant Waldman, Maureen Gallinger, Erin Generous, Jacquie Smith, Bill Wagg.
Staff:
Grant M. Waldman – Executive Director
Grant Waldman has resided in BC for over 6 years – 4 of those being on Vancouver Island. Prior to this, he grew up in Southern Ontario; spending most of his years in Toronto – born in London. He is happily married for over 21 years to Annik Moyal-Waldman; an accomplished facilitator, educator, and counsellor. He has a 12 year old son, Nathaniel; who loves sports of all sorts, cooking and improv.
Grant has been involved with men’s work for over 13 years. He initiated in the Mankind Project (MKP) in the spring of 2006, and has been on the board for over 2 years as the Vancouver Island representative and previously as the Integration Group Chair. MKP is a men’s organization where men have the opportunity to travel from their head to their heart, and truly get in touch with their feelings in a good way. The men have an opportunity to meet on a regular basis to support one another. Prior to the MKP, Grant was involved in men’s groups in Indianapolis, Indiana, Toronto, and the Sunshine Coast. He recognizes how important it is for men to reach out for help.
Grant founded the Boys to Men centre in Western Canada after realizing that he wanted his son to experience a Rites of Passage weekend when he was young, rather than waiting until his 40’s like Grant did. The Boys to Men program provides a mentoring experience for boys. The Rites of Passage Adventure Weekend is a safe place for the boys to tell their truth and begin to take responsibility for their life. It is a place where they can learn about accountability and integrity. After the weekend, the Mentors commit to supporting the boys for one year through J-Group activities like hiking, sports, drumming, etc. For his efforts, Grant received the Ron Herring Award for service to his community by The Mankind Project of Canada West!
Grant graduated from York University in Toronto with degrees in History and Business, and an advanced diploma in IT Systems from The Honeywell Institute. He founded his own firm, West Coast Solutions, Inc. upon his arrival in BC - initially to represent several software developers. The firm is now focused on Targeted Marketing Consulting - learn more at: www.pinnaclelists.com. Waldman is an accomplished and published singer-songwriter and a member of his local Folk Guild. He has performed in various functions, including MKP graduations, Baha’i’ events, Jewish events, and environmental & peace causes. Learn more at his website: www.waldocreative.com. Grant has also published poetry and is at work on his first book. Grant enjoys all the west coast has to offer, including: kayaking, skiing, and hiking!
Joe Barton - Research & Communications
Joe Barton was born in Victoria, BC and raised in the Shawnigan Lake/Cowichan Valley region of Vancouver Island. Spending several years abroad in the United States, he has gained an external perspective and appreciation for the Cowichan Valley and its many unique and wonderful qualities.
Joe has training and education in a wide variety of fields: from Commercial Plumbing to a Certified Hypnotherapist; teaching workshops on spirituality, and assisting local residents with dog behavior issues. In addition, he has operated his own business in the past. Joe has dedicated time to a variety of local non-profits such as the local SPCA and the Seniors Resource and Support Society – Cowichan.
Joe feels strongly about the role of the Men’s Resource Centre within the Cowichan Valley, and brings with him dedication, honesty and integrity. Having worked with a wide variety of people of various backgrounds, he is able to communicate and interact effectively. He is community minded, caring, and able to look at situations from a variety of perspectives. He is excited about the opportunities that the Men’s Resource Centre offers to the advancement of our local community.