Peer Support Meetings
The Tonari Gumi Peer Support Meeting offers individuals the safe and comfortable space to meet and share experiences, in-person or online, providing peer support and discuss practical tips and information.
Currently active groups are:
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Family Caregivers Meeting: Support Our Seniors and Caregivers (SoS&C) - Online
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Single Parents Meeting: Cocoon Club – Coming Soon
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Family with Neurodiversity Caregivers Meeting: Oak Tree Club – Coming Soon
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Tonari Gumi Men’s Group Meeting: Men’s Shed - Helping Hands and Minds - Coming Soon
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Peer Support Certificate Course
1. Family Caregivers Meeting - Online
Offers safe online platform to meet and share their experiences, provide peer support and discuss practical tips and information on caregiving. All support groups are facilitated by BC registered Clinical Social Workers.
Three groups are actively engaging:
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Japanese Dementia Support Group: 1st and 3rd Fridays from 1 – 2 pm PST
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Japanese Caregivers Support Group: 1st and 3rd Wednesdays from 4:30 – 5:30 pm PST
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English Caregivers Support Group: 2nd and 4th Thursdays, from 4:30 – 5:30 pm
Eligibility
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Currently providing care to family members, at home, remotely, or who lives at care facilities.
To register, contact:
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Japanese Dementia Support Group:
Kumi services@tonarigumi.ca Tel 236.785.5733 -
Japanese & English Caregivers Support Group:
Nao nikeda@tonarigumi.ca Tel 778.888.6914
2. Single Parents Meeting: Cocoon Club - In-person or Online
Cocoon Club provides a safe place to express and share thoughts and emotions experiencing being a single parenthood and/or thinking about becoming single parent. The meeting is facilitated by trained peer support volunteers.
Eligibility
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Single parents and those considering becoming single parents.
To register, contact:
Satomi csassistant@tonarigumi.ca Tel 604.687.2172 ext. 202
3. Family with Neurodiversity Caregivers Meeting: Oak Tree Club - In-person or Online
Oak Tree Club provides a safe place to express and share thoughts and emotions experiences raising child(ren) with Neurodiversity. The meeting is facilitated by trained peer support volunteers.
Eligibility
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Parents of children with developmental disabilities (of any age) and parents concerned about their child's development.
To register, contact:
Satomi csassistant@tonarigumi.ca Tel 604.687.2172 ext. 202
4. TG Men's Group - Helping Hands and Minds
The TG Men's Group promotes family balance, community support, and overall well-being by encouraging active participation in home and community activities. Through diverse programs designed to prevent post-retirement isolation and strengthen family relationships, the group enhances participants' quality of life.
Eligibility
• Senior men who have recently retired or are approaching retirement.
• Working-age men in the midst of raising children.
Service Area
• Lower Mainland
In-person at Tonari Gumi facility
Cost
• Free
Program Content
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Cooking Classes
Content: Learn Japanese and multicultural cuisines to enhance cooking skills at home. -
DIY Workshops
Content: Learn practical skills such as home repairs and furniture assembly. -
Gardening Club
Content: Learn techniques for maintaining bonsai, Japanese gardens, and general plant care. -
Health and Fitness Sessions
Content: Provide light exercises and health talks to maintain physical and mental well-being. -
Card Games for Communication Enhancement
Content: Use card games to foster dialogue skills and address communication gaps.
To register, contact:
Tadafumi tadafumi.tamura@tonarigumi.ca Tel 604.687.2172
5. Peer Support Certificate Course
Tonari Gumi regularly offer free Peer Support Certificate Course.
The course materials and instruction provided by Instructors with over 10 years of experiences specialized in Seniors Peer Support, and financial grant from the Port of Vancouver.
After successful completion, you will be added to Tonari Gumi's Community Services' Volunteer list for an opportunity to use your knowledge and gain experiences.
Eligibility
• Registered as a volunteer with Tonari Gumi
• Undergo Criminal Record Check and receive clearance letter
• Able to attend 32 hours of online and in-person course.
• Able to volunteer for Tonari Gumi Community Services
Service Area
• Your local area of residence in-person or via telephone
Cost
Free
Please look forward to an update on the next Peer Support Certificate Course.
Registration
If you would like to make an appointment, please go to the 'Contact Community Services' section from the button.
Funding Partners
Frank H. Hori Charitable Foundation, Petro-Canada CareMakers Foundation, New Horizons for Seniors Program, Government of BC, United Way BC’s Therapeutic Activation Program for Seniors (TAPS)
