CONNECT Saanich Peninsula Celebrates its Grand Opening
Spirits were soaring on Monday morning during the official grand opening ceremony of CONNECT Saanich Peninsula.
This first CONNECT location on Vancouver Island will welcome its inaugural move-in in early July. Approximately 55 people have been hired so far, including two leaders, Life Redesign Coaches and a coaching resource team made up of professional coaches and support coaches.
CONNECT CEO, Patti Flaherty, spoke at the grand opening event and was joined by speakers BC Health Minister Josie Osborne, Saanich South MLA Lana Popham, Island Health Board Chair Leah Hollins and Island Health Manger of Specialized Populations, Alison Gaul. The excitement and support for this new resource on the Island was palpable.
“CONNECT has four other locations in Canada with partnerships with various health system partners and for many years we have dreamed of and thought about the possibilities on Vancouver Island,” said Patti. “We are thrilled and proud to have the opportunity to open CONNECT Saanich Peninsula with such a great partner in Island Health. We know that many good people within Island Health and the Ministry of Health have put great effort and investment into making this possible and for that we are very grateful.”
Special guest from the SȾÁUTW̱ (Tsawout) First Nation, Elder Mavis Underwood, welcomed everyone to the grand opening ceremony and expressed her support for CONNECT. May and Scott Sam from the W̱JOȽEȽP (Tsartlip) First Nation gave a blessing, along with song and drumming. SȾÁUTW̱ and W̱JOȽEȽP are two of the five W̱SÁNEĆ (Wsanec) First Nations located on the Saanich Peninsula.
CONNECT Saanich Peninsula is located on SȾÁUTW̱ land and building good relationships with the nation is an important focus. The first week of orientation for new staff was hosted at the SȾÁUTW̱ First Nation building. Leaders and coaches from all CONNECT locations participated in the orientation and training.
CONNECT Saanich Peninsula will support 26 individuals after brain injury and stroke as they redesign their lives and work to transition back to community and home.
A second CONNECT on Vancouver Island is under construction and scheduled to open in Parksville in late 2026.
To read more about, and listen to, CONNECT Saanich Peninsula in the news, follow these links:
https://archive.news.gov.bc.ca/releases/news_releases_2024-2028/2025HLTH0062-000610.htm