Cowichan Community
 Resource Bus    aka
 The Fun Bus

The Resource Bus is a collaborative initiative with a goal of equitable access to programs for children 0 - 5 and their parents or caregiver.   The Resource bus, modeled after Parksville's WOW Bus, is a 41 foot Bluebird school bus renovated to accommodate onboard literacy and learning activities.  Duncan Daybreak Rotary and Success by 6 provided the seed money and SD 79 donated the used bus and today we have a fully operating mobile Fun Bus visiting children and parents from Malahat to Lake Cowichan! 

The bus has a built in resource area, kid size tables and chairs, a food prep area with a fridge and sink, cupboards loaded with supplies, and a cozy reading area at the back.

The bus currently makes weekly visits to outlying areas including Penelekut Island (Kuper), Crofton Elementary School, Malahat First Nation, Lake Cowichan-Saywell Park, and St. Andrews Church in Cairnsmore.  There is a Strong Start BC Outreach program onboard with storytelling, songs, rhymes, bubbles, wee hand crafts, and often, free clothing and diapers.

A $28,000 grant from Queen Alexandra Foundation for "Second Stops" has expanded the program to include more stops, including  Sportsplex on Chesterfield Road, Cowichan Tribes--Boys Road, and Mill Bay Centre.  The funding brings the bus to special events and provided "Storybook Character Costumes" for big and little people.

Funding by Aboriginal Success by 6 and the continued support of Ada Mawson, Aboriginal Success by 6 Coordinator, has provided the resources to bridge cultural boundaries and bring the bus experience to little people living on Kuper Island, Cowichan Tribes, Halalt First Nations, and Malahat First Nations.

For more information on how you can be part of this fabulous community initiative please call Maureen at 250-748-8281