Cowichan Valley Youth Services (C.V.Y.S.) is a grassroots non-profit agency that has been supporting youth and families for 49 years, through a variety of free, affirming and inclusive mental health services.  We provide counselling, groups, outreach and support services for youth ages 13-18 and their families. We are here for youth and their families to talk, to deal with overwhelming emotions, to learn new skills and to facilitate change. 

With the impacts of a global pandemic and a rapidly growing community affecting Cowichan, the demand for our services and the needs of the youth have dramatically increased. Our waitlist has grown by well over 100 % and our team is increasingly navigating complex challenges with our clients.

With the support of Purica Foundation, we can achieve the following goals:

  • Creation of a safe, inviting, affirming, and inclusive space for youth and their families across the Cowichan Valley.
  • A consistent and long-term secure space that cements our place within the community.
  • Greater financial strength, efficiency, infrastructure cost control and sustainability for CVYS.
  • A community-based resource with the ability to respond to the shifting needs of clients with wraparound supports.
  • Reduce administrative costs and maximize resources.
  • Donations do not go towards operational costs. CVYS has been fully operational since 1973!

    Recently, we have purchased 294 Coronation Ave, which will serve as the foundation of our services for years to come. Our team is grateful to work in the Cowichan Valley, and having a home to offer our services lays the foundation for this work to be done.

    Purica is a whole foods and natural supplements company based in Duncan BC, serving over 3000 retailers across Canada and have ventured into the United States and overseas.

    With so much support from their community, founders Trevor, Marnie, Jason and Anna Watkin wanted to give back in a meaningful way and created the Purica Foundation, a fund held with the Victoria Foundation, designed to generate charitable donations, fundraising initiatives, and promotional support for key community initiatives.

    The Purica Foundation fundraising committee is excited to announce that the recipient of its donation this year will be the Cowichan Valley Youth Services.

    2019 Committee Members from left to right: Chantal Clarke, Ricki James, Nicky Lee, Carrie Kendall, Jennifer Nydahl, Heather Horn, Sandra Payne, Megan Dragicevich, Lori Pollock, Michelle Bird, Paula Ramwell, Marnie Watkin

    Foundation Committee

    The Purica Foundation, a fund held with the Victoria Foundation, designed to generate charitable donations, fundraising initiatives, and promotional support for key community initiatives. The Purica Foundation Committee share an unwavering commitment to help others to reach their full potential and to work as a team to create positive long-lasting change in our Cowichan Communities.

    Our committee is managed by a 11 person-strong group of women that successfully blend a wide-range of skills and talents, including financial management, marketing, fundraising, communications, graphic design, visual arts and performing arts.

    Marnie Watkin

    Marnie Watkin

    Board Chair

    Marnie is a lifetime resident of the Cowichan Valley and co-owner of PURICA.

    She is the creator of the Purica Foundation, of which, since the inception of the foundation in 2016, it’s board of dynamic women have raised funds and awareness for Cowichan Hospice House and the Cowichan Valley Youth Services HUB project.
    Marnie is a proud volunteer. She dedicates time to Nourish Cowichan, assisting in providing nutritious meals to schoolchildren in the Cowichan Valley and sits on the Cowichan Foundation board.

    Marnie and her family also play a role in being coaches and managing team applications for the Duncan Wildcats as they prepare and compete at Operation Trackshoes.

    Marnie is married to PURICA Co-Owner Trevor Watkin and they are very proud of their two children, Kate and Matthew who are both active and passionate about their family business.

    Marnie’s super power is entertaining. No group is too small or too big!

    Best words to describe Marnie are, loves to be surrounded by her family and friends, travel enthusiast, music lover, always up for a dance party and is passionate about giving back to her community.

    Sandra Payne

    Sandra Payne

    Board Member

    The Cowichan Valley has been Sandra’s home since 2012 when she and her family moved from the mainland. She is a wife and proud mother to 3 children. Sandra has always been passionate about working with people with varying abilities and has devoted her life’s career to this. For many years Sandra’s work focussed on directly supporting individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders as well as managing various residential and day programs. Following that,  she worked as an Infant Development Consultant in the lower mainland and loved working with babies and families. Since moving to the Island Sandra has been employed by the Cowichan Valley School District as an Education Assistant and is passionate about her job. She is grateful to be living in such a diverse area and being part of an amazing group giving back to the community.

    Sandra’s super power is her positivity and willingness to reflect, learn and grow as an individual. She has faced some unique challenges in her life and believes that it has been these traits that have allowed her to persevere, adapt and even grow during difficult times.

    Sandra is best described as family loving, compassionate, grounded, loyal and insightful.  She loves a good adventure and enjoys camping, boating, fishing and travelling.

    Paula Ramwell

    Paula Ramwell

    Board Member

    Paula grew up in and now lives with her husband and daughter in the Cowichan valley.

    She enjoys being outdoors, hiking and cycling, travelling, and spending time with family and friends.

    Paula has worked as an RN for almost 30 years, specializing in maternity and labour and delivery and most recently working in a maternity clinic.

    She finds working with women and their families and supporting them through their pregnancies and transition into parenthood very rewarding .

    Working so closely with new families has given Paula insight into the needs and concerns of families in our community.

    The Purica Foundation Board provides a place where an enthusiastic, caring, creative, (not to mention fun) group of women come together to serve the community which we all call home.

    ‘I am proud to be a member of a board who’s goal it is to make a positive difference in our community.’

    Words to describe Paula; Friendly, caring, helpful, up for an adventure, eager to lend a hand, visit and share a laugh.

    Heather Horn

    Heather Horn

    Board Member

    Heather has worked in Retail and customer service as many different roles but mainly as a manager for 25 years.

    For 22 of those years she has raised two children on her own that played plenty of sports. That being said that never stop Heather from helping her community in any way she can.

    Over the years Heather has been very involved with her children’s sports teams, leading fundraisers, serving as a board member, and managing teams.

    One of her fondest memories of volunteering is serving our Indigenous Elders at their different events. Heather’s best asset is fundraising and helping manage an event in anyway she can to make it a smooth running operation.

    Best words to describe Heather would be, Warm Hearted, Super Mom, Sports enthusiast, Hard worker, and a love for her community. She looks forward to our Gala this year and many more years to come.

    Carrie Kendall

    Carrie Kendall

    Artistic Creator

    Carrie was born and raised on Vancouver Island, spending the past 15 years in the Cowichan Vallley.  She is a mother, wife, artist, and volunteer. Her super power would be creating beautiful spaces, memorable moments and meaningful connections. 

    Carrie finds joy in creativity, travel, culinary experiences, interior design, family, volunteering with Nourish Cowichan, yoga, and nature.

    The best words to describe Carrie are, compassionate, fun loving, wise and artistically gifted.

    Megan Dragicevich

    Megan Dragicevich

    Secretary

    Megan Dragicevich was born and raised on a farm in rural Alberta, where there was always a strong
    sense of community and where she witnessed first-hand what it truly meant to be a community-minded person.  

    Megan moved to the Cowichan Valley nearly 30 years ago.  She fell in love with the area and her now husband, and never left.  Here, Megan and Mike have enjoyed living and raising their two beautiful daughters.  Her family has many fond memories volunteering with the Duncan Wildcats and Run for the Claus, where together, their family experienced the joys of volunteering.  Megan has also been a team member of the PURICA family since 2008.   

    Being on the Purica Foundation Board simply reinforces what an incredible community the Cowichan Valley is, and how much can be achieved when people come together to support individuals and organizations in need.  The people that Megan has met along the way have both inspired her, and acted as a reminder that everything from small acts of kindness to large fundraising events can have a huge impact. Megan is excited to see what the future folds for the Purica Foundation, and is honored to know and work alongside her fellow board members.

    Tiny but Mighty – don’t be fooled by her size, she gets the job done, that’s Megan’s superpower!
    Baker extraordinaire, “Mother” to all, loyal and fun, and she loves a good dance party!

    Jennifer Nydahl

    Jennifer Nydahl

    Secretary

    Jennifer and her husband Erik are lifelong residents of the Cowichan Valley where they have raised their two children.  When both kids were young and active in hockey, it was at that time when the importance of volunteering and community involvement became apparent. 

    Since then, Jennifer has volunteered for numerous events and causes over the years.  She joined the Purica Foundation at its inception in 2016 where she co-shares the Secretary position with Megan Dragicevich. 

    If you asked Jennifer what her super power is, she would tell you it is empathy.  She truly believes giving back to her community is impactful and rewarding and finds that being able to do so with this group of like-minded individuals is endlessly inspiring.

    Nicky Lee

    Nicky Lee

    Treasurer

    Nicky began her love of numbers while working for a credit union on Saltspring Island at 15. By 26 she had moved up the ladder and was a Bank Branch Manager in Victoria. With four children at home playing almost every sport…..  Nicky spent many years sitting on boards, fundraising and doing the books for many non-profits. 

    Nicky’s superpower is little ones, over the years Nicky and her husband Michael, have fostered 70 plus children from the Cowichan valley. 🙂 

    Best words to describe her would be, Proud mom, Foodie, Traveler, G&T lover, Bookkeeper, Book lover, Aunty Candy and Aunty too many little ones

    Chantal Clarke

    Chantal Clarke

    Media

    Chantal has always had a love for volunteering in her community. Whether it was at her children’s schools or sporting activities, to co-founding the Duncan annual ‘Run for the Clause’ Santa fun run event or coaching and organizing for the Duncan Wildcats, a team committed to supporting individuals with physical and mental challenges which she has done now for just over 20 years.

    Chantal’s superpower is connecting people and resources from the many diverse backgrounds, through volunteering, work, family, and amazing friendships. Always approaching situations, projects, and challenges with a solution focused approach, and looking for different opportunities for resources or funding. 

    Best Words to describe her are a confident and dedicated Mum, a champion of others, creative, resourceful, hardworking, and fun-loving.

    Michelle Bird

    Michelle Bird

    Board Member

    Michelle is a certified Colon Hydrotherapist, and owner/operator of the Cleansing Room at the Sol Center in Duncan. She has been providing colonics to help clients improve their health for the past 23 years. She is a wife and mother of two boys and enjoys spending time outdoors in this beautiful valley, being active with her family and friends. 

    Michelle’s superpowers are caregiving, positivity, and kindness. As a mother and volunteer coach she uses her superpowers to encourage others and promote a positive atmosphere.

    Best words to describe Michelle would be homemaker, health nut, competitor, a people person, and obsessed with Frenchies. She is inspired to be part of the Purica Foundation Board, focusing on giving back to both the community and its wonderful people.

    Thank You to Our Sponsors!

    $5000 – Moira Rose 

    Purica

    Catalyst Crofton

    Victoria Truss

    OodyOos

    Hilberry Group

    $2500 – Johnny Rose

    Ai Wealth

    Valley Carpet One

    $1000 – David Rose

    Young Health Management

    Stone Pacific Contracting Limited

    Panago

    Genoa Laser Therapy

    West Coast Prefab

    Stillhead Distillery Inc.

    Pacific Homes

    C&C

    Superior Excavating

    Red Arrow Brewing Company

    Maxxam

    APEX

    Style Sense

    RBC Dominion Securities

    HSM

    $500 – Alexis Rose 

    Vivion Specialties

    Pacific Rim Storage

    E. Nydahl Construction

    Columbia Ice Logo

    The Old Firehouse

    Masika May

    Jason Finlayson

    Start Line

    Mark’s Instant Sign Shop

    Young Health

    Sheppard’s

    Little Fish Design Company

    Kate Roome Notary Public