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 – Ended as of February 2026.
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Family with Neurodiversity Caregivers Meeting: Oak Tree Club – Online
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Tonari Gumi Men’s Group Meeting: Men’s Shed - Helping Hands and Minds
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Peer Support Certificate Course
1. Family Caregivers Meeting - Online
Offers individuals who are caring for a family member, whether locally or from distance. These groups provide a safe and welcoming space where caregivers can share their experiences, express their feelings, and support one another. Participants also could exchange practical information, resources, and caregiving tips that have been helpful throughout their caregiving journeys.
We currenly offer THREE support groups:
- Japanese Dementia Support Group: 1st and 3rd Fridays from 1:00 – 2:00 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 PST
Eligibility
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Currently providing care to family members, at home, remotely, or lives at care facilities.
To register, contact: Kumi services@tonarigumi.ca Tel 604-687-2172 ext. 301
Thank you to everyone who participated in this peer support activity. As of February 2026, the Tonari Gumi Cocoon Club activity has now been discontinued .
For those seeking similar support groups, please contact us by email at services@tonarigumi.ca.
2. Discontinued
Single Parents Meeting: Cocoon Club
3. Family with Neurodiversity Caregivers Meeting: Oak Tree Club - 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. The meeting is held on the second Thursday of each month from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. (Pacific Time).
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: Kumi services@tonarigumi.ca Tel 604-687-2172 ext. 301
With financial support from the Frank H. Hori Charitable Foundation, we are pleased to announce one year in-person and online activities for this peer support group, from June 2026 to June 2027.
Our next in-person event will be a HALLOWEEN PARTY! Furhter details will be posted on this website once they are finalized.
In addition, at our monthly online meeting on Thursday, August 13, we are pleased to welcome Ms. Chigusa Barns, founder of the Vancouver Japanese Family Suport Group for Developmental Disabilities, Twinkle Stars, as our guest speaker.
Ms. Barnes will provide an overview of BC's new funding support system.
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
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, United Way of BC.
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.
***** Comment from participant *****
It was an intensive course, but the instructor was very supportive, and participants helped one another. I was able to learn skills that I can apply to future volunteer work, which made it a very valuable experience.
Eligibility
• Registered as a volunteer with Tonari Gumi
• Undergo Criminal Record Check and receive clearance letter
• Able to attend 18 or 48 hours of online and one day in-person course.
• Able to volunteer for Tonari Gumi Programs and Community Services for minimum 40 hours.
Service Area
• Your local area of residence in-person or via telephone for Community Services related activities
Cost
Free
Jewish Seniors Alliance of BC
New Dates for "Seniors Peer Support Course"
September 15 - October 22, 2026
Total Training Hours: 48 hours
Format: 12 sessions (11 sessions via Zoom + 1 in-person session)
Focus:
Emotional support
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Active listening
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Boundaries
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Grief and life transitions
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Peer support model
⚠️ Important eligibility requirement:
To participate in the Senior Peer Support training, volunteers must:
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Be 55 years of age or older, OR
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Be staff from a partner organization with a written request explaining the reason for participation.
SPS JSABC/VCH Training Dates:
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September 15
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September 17
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September 22
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September 24
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September 29
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October 1
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October 6
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October 8
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October 13
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October 15
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October 20
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October 22
Completing a Training Registration Form is now a requirement so that we can easily communicate with registrants.
Please contact Tonari Gumi Community Services before proceeding with registration.
For individuals under 55 years of age, a letter of request from Tonari Gumi is required.
Email: services@tonarigumi.ca Tel: 604-687-2172 ext. 301
Registration
If you would like to register, 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)