Moving Forward Family Services

03/14/2026

Are you a Mental Health Champion in Grade 12 in BC, who will be entering a mental health post-secondary program in the Fall? Apply now for a $750 bursary

Bursaries will be awarded to chosen recipients at our April 10th Gala in Surrey.

For Interested Students

- Submit a 450-500 word essay on how you have contributed to mental health awareness efforts within your network i.e. family, community, team, place of employment, place of worship, and/or school. Include in the essay a description of the program you are entering in the Fall and how that program will enable you to support the mental health and well-being of our communities. Eligible Mental Health post-secondary programs include social services, addictions, mental health, peer support, social work, coaching, counselling psychology, psychology, forensic mental health, psychiatric medicine, child and youth care, teaching (if you plan to be a teacher who emphasizes social/emotional learning) and any other field where you interact with the public and provide support around mental health and well-being.

- Submit along with your essay a reference letter from a teacher, coach, or any other non-custodial adult that confirms the contributions

Submit both to hello@movingforward.help with Subject Line "Student Bursary" by March 31, 2026

03/10/2026

03/09/2026

Still time to join!

Perimenopause & Partnership: A Session for Men

We warmly invite and greatly encourage interested men to attend our one-time virtual perimenopause group tonight, March 9, 6-7 PM (PST)

I have been facilitating a MFFS perimenopause group for a few years now, and one of the recurring hopes and goals is to raise awareness for the male demographic.
What has it been like to live with, love and support a partner in peri-menopause?

This is a great opportunity to ask questions of our female guest panel which may deepen your understanding of this natural life transition in order to strengthen your relationships and better serve your female clients.
Please email mokieburnham@gmail.com to register

03/03/2026

03/03/2026

Are you a Mental Health Champion in Grade 12 in BC, who will be entering a mental health post-secondary program in the Fall? Apply now for a $750 bursary

Bursaries will be awarded to chosen recipients at our April 10th Gala in Surrey.

For Interested Students

- Submit a 450-500 word essay on how you have contributed to mental health awareness efforts within your network i.e. family, community, team, place of employment, place of worship, and/or school. Include in the essay a description of the program you are entering in the Fall and how that program will enable you to support the mental health and well-being of our communities. Eligible Mental Health post-secondary programs include social services, addictions, mental health, peer support, social work, coaching, counselling psychology, psychology, forensic mental health, psychiatric medicine, child and youth care, teaching (if you plan to be a teacher who emphasizes social/emotional learning) and any other field where you interact with the public and provide support around mental health and well-being.

- Submit along with your essay a reference letter from a teacher, coach, or any other non-custodial adult that confirms the contributions

Submit both to hello@movingforward.help with Subject Line "Student Bursary"

03/03/2026

Every March MFFS proudly joins communities across the country in celebrating Persian Heritage Month. Across Canada this month recognizes the culture, and contributions of more than 200,000 Canadians of Persian descent. In Ontario, this was formally recognized through the Persian Heritage Month Act, a meaningful step that acknowledges how deeply rooted and impactful the Persian community is within the province and across the country.
Persian Heritage Month also aligns with Nowruz, the Persian New Year, which marks the beginning of spring and symbolizes renewal, family, and togetherness. It is an opportunity not only to celebrate vibrant traditions and cultural heritage, but also to acknowledge the meaningful social and economic contributions Persian Canadians continue to make in communities across Canada.

https://www.ola.org/en/legislative-business/bills/parliament-42/session-1/bill-271 #:~:text=In%20the%20month%20of%20March,culture%20has%20imprinted%20on%20humanity.

03/02/2026

https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/moving-forward-family-services-gala-2026-tickets-1983223892048

03/01/2026

❗️Mark your calendars: Coldest Night of the Year returns February 27, 2027❗️

We're still riding high from this year's fantastic CNOY and are energized to begin preparing for next year's event. Join us next year as we walk together in support of creating a better future for people experiencing hurt, hunger, and homelessness.

See you then!! 🗓💙

******

❗️Notez bien la date dans vos agendas : la Coldest Night of the Year revient le 27 février 2027❗️

Nous sommes encore sous le coup de l'euphorie après la fantastique édition de cette année et nous sommes impatients de commencer à préparer l'événement de l'année prochaine. Rejoignez-nous l'année prochaine pour marcher ensemble en faveur d'un avenir meilleur pour les personnes en situation de détresse, souffrant de la faim et sans domicile fixe.

À bientôt ! 🗓💙

03/01/2026

I joined the Coldest Night of the Year walk several years ago in Cloverdale, and was impressed the level of energy and enthusiasm among the organizers and participants. I also learned that Newton didn’t have a walk, and set about coordinating a CNOY walk there – but I decided rather than take it on alone, that I wanted to do it as a collaborative effort among many service providers.

I have said often that I chose to come to non-profit as I felt it was the best means to reach under-served communities, in a manner that was most client-centered. However, I was also disheartened by how competitive the nonprofit world can be, and that competition hurts the mutual clients we are supposed to support.

So while CNOY is intended to be a fundraiser, I was equally focused on highlighting the needs of our diverse communities AND highlighting a message that only through collaboration can we truly address those diverse needs.

CNOY 2026 Newton represented those values.

Gary
Moving Forward Family Services

02/23/2026

Who are Vancouver Outdoor School (Fieldschool and Between the Trees 1:1 mentorship)?

At VOS, we provide small-group Community & Outdoor Experiential Learning and 1:1 mentorship services to children and youth across Metro Vancouver. We work with home learners as well as brick-and-mortar. We draw on decades of experience facilitating in the outdoors through Fireside Adventures which is home to our awesome Youth Summer expeditions, familiy trips and Artemis: Women's Adventures.

Why are they involved with the Moving Forward Wellness Centre?

VOS' Mon-Fri day programs have mostly been "nomadic" focusing on outdoor adventure and high novelty. However, we have been searching for a "Home Base". We believe that having a consistant facility provides the following benefits:

Predictability Reduces Cognitive Load: A stable facility cuts down on constant changes. This helps learners save mental energy for focus, creativity, and engagement.

Sensory Regulation & Environmental Control: A stable home base helps learners control noise, light, and stimulation. This supports those with sensory sensitivities.

Supports Executive Functioning: Working from a dedicated space lowers transition fatigue. It also strengthens routines and organization.

Enables Deep, Iterative Learning: A permanent facility allows for long-term projects. This benefits learners who thrive on repetition and extended immersion.

Builds Ownership & Belonging: Having a place they can name and improve means a lot to kids. This fosters a sense of ownership in their learning!!

What services can we share with friends of Moving Forward? For anyone interested in our Fieldschool, 1:1, Pro-D, or expeditions, we are offering free open-ended length consultation with Liam Barnes, Director of VOS and Fireside Adventures.
https://calendly.com/liambarnesliam/meeting-with-liam?month=2025-01
For those interested in our Fieldschool, we will extend a free try-it-out day.