Kathy became the new education facilitator.

A new support group was initiated in Chemainus

A submission was prepared and made to VIHA for a one-time grant of $28,200. This was verbally promised for later in the year.

The First Nations caregivers support group was initiated.

We were asked by a former caregiver in the First Nations community to train her in our work through the incentives program. We were honored to be asked and Marjorie became part of that program.

The Education for Eldercare committee presented a one day conference on Change and Resilience in Later Life.

Kathy completed a list of books available for caregivers at the library and began distribution of the lists.

The Ladysmith expansion program began.

Kathy compiled a community resources binder for all of our team members.

Shannon was hired to replace Jerryann as the Community Guide in Ladysmith.

A proposal was submitted to the National Population Health Fund - a branch of Health Canada - for the writing of the book Supporting Caregiving Families: A Guide for Service. We have established partners throughout Canada for this project.

The Ladysmith resource committee began to plan a reception for January 2005 at which the community could learn about our services.

A presentation entitled Developing a Community Service: a Mural in Progress was made at a meeting of the BC Health Promotion Coalition.

Following a letter of intent sent to the Vancouver Foundation in October about the service guide project, we were invited to submit an application for funding.

We were requested by the Duncan support group to advocate on behalf of family caregivers regarding changes to the Cowichan Lodge Day Program. Ranjana attended an open meeting and voiced the caregivers' concerns. She was invited to participate on a committee to look at how these concerns could be incorporated into a new plan for the day centre program.

Marjorie's work spearheaded a proposal to further develop support to caregivers using a community development approach in conjunction with the Ts'ewulhtun Health Centre and support of the elders. We applied to New Horizons seniors' program for funding for a program Families Caring for Elders: Recommendations for Support.

We were invited to submit an application to VIHA's Aboriginal Health for funding for the service guide project.

Throughout the year the education facilitator and society president, Garth Harvey participated in core group meetings of the BC Health Promotion Coalition.

A submission to the Cowichan Hospital Foundation for funding was denied.