About Us
Hope 4 MVC Kids Society is committed to providing support to families of children in medical need.
What We Do
Hope 4 MVC Kids Society assists families across Mountain view county with children in medical need by providing 6 clear programs.
Program 1 can assist if a local child is hospitalized (admitted). The program can assist with car parking, meals, fuel, and sibling care. If it is a long-term admission there is the potential for additional supports such as rent/mortgage/utility assistance.
Program2 can assist a local child that needs adaptive equipment for home or school that is not covered by other sources.
Program 3 can assist a local child that requires home adaptions due to illness or disability. That is not covered by other sources.
Program 4 can assist a local child who requires therapy, such as counselling, private o/t, p/t, mental health needs, alternative therapy not covered by health insurance or other sources.
Program 5 The program can assist a local child that requires prescription supports not covered by health insurance or other sources.
In relation to programs 1-5 supporting documentation from a medical professional is required.
Program 6 The program can assist local family’s with support, advocacy, and information. Navigating a child’s illness or diagnosis can be overwhelming. Due to personal journeys of many on the board we have been where you are. We assist families with understanding and advice of where to find additional resources or support.
Program 7 The program provides support to children requiring assessments, including psychoeducational evaluations, psychological assessments, and IQ tests.
Our History
Hope 4 MVC Kids Society is a non-profit society formed in November of 2013. It is run by volunteers, none of which get paid for their roles. All board members must sign a confidentiality agreement. The society was founded by Lisa Nicholson and co-founded by Suzanne Young.
Lisa has four children, two of whom have chronic medical conditions requiring prolonged hospitalizations, medical intervention and support. Another daughter has non-verbal, low-functioning autism and global development delay. Lisa has also worked with children with disabilities for many years and has found a great need for family support with only limited resources available in the local area.
In 2010, it was expressed by a medical professional that her daughter, Hope, needed a therapy pool. The local community helped raise $15,000 of the $20,000 needed for the purchase. Lisa wanted to pay this support forward and to ensure that families had somewhere local to go for help. This event was the genesis of the Hope 4 MVC Kids Society.
The Hope 4 MVC Kids Society runs on determination, love and hope for local children and families that they get the support they need when they need it most!
Our Team
Lisa Nicholson
I have four children. One of my daughters has a chronic medical condition, that requires prolonged hospitalizations and medical interventions/supports and another daughter has non verbal low functioning autism and global development delay. I previously worked with children with disabilities for many years. I found a great need for support’s for families and found limited resources in our local area. In 2010 it was recommended from a medical professional that my daughter Hope needed a therapy pool. The local community helped raise $15,000 of the $20,000 needed. I wanted to pay this support forward but also wanted to ensure families had somewhere to go locally. So ‘Hope 4 MVC Kids Society’ was created.
Suzanne Young
I’ve spent most of my life volunteering, teaching, and helping families from diverse backgrounds. With a degree in Child and Youth Care from the University of Victoria, I teamed up with my longtime friend Lisa to co-found Hope4MVC Kids. I’ve always believed in her integrity and drive, and that’s what brought me on board. I’m excited to watch this group keep growing and making a difference for the families and kids we care about.
Katie Dunn
Children have always held a special place in my heart. From an early age I knew that I wanted a career working with them. So I became an educational assistant and held this career for seven years. Currently I am a stay at home mom. Once my daughter was school age I found myself looking to give back to the community and was fortunate enough to be given the opportunity to be apart of this board.
Shaylene Doucette
Hope 4 MVC kids holds a special place within my family as they supported us when my daughters were receiving medical care. I joined the board to support families and give back to the communities.
Kendra McCreadie
I believe in the power of giving back to your community and making a meaningful impact on the lives of those around you and as a mother of 3 I was happy to join Hope 4 MVC Kids and be a part of an organization that is dedicated to helping families. I have always loved what Hope 4 MVC Kids has done and I am excited to be a part of the future of this organization and believe that together with the rest of the amazing board members we can continue to make a profound difference in the lives of families in need.
Victoria Monteith
Hello! I’m Victoria—im a dental assistant, who loves being involved in meaningful community work. Along with volunteering at my kids school and fostering dogs, I’m passionate about supporting others and giving back wherever I can. MVC Hope 4 Kids has positively impacted my own family, and I believe in the values and support this organization offers. I’m excited to contribute, connect, and help create the same hope and stability for other families in our community.
Bobbi Bartek
I joined Hope 4 Mountain View Kids because I wanted to give back to the community and as a single mom, my time is the most most valuable thing I can donate to such a great cause.
Rich Nicholson
I originally started volunteering for Hope 4 MVC Kids since it was established. I applied to be on the board of directors in 2018 so that i could help to continue to support local families with children in medical need.
Susan Smyth
I have always admired this passionate organization and its work within the community. After volunteering a few times, I saw an opportunity to become more involved when a board position became available. I'm excited to help make a positive impact, supporting families in need, and helping them overcome challenges. Being part of this journey is truly fulfilling, and I’m happy to contribute as the Corporate Engagement Director.
Jamie Austin
I work with kids and support the idea of helping children and their families in a time when they need support the most.
Jennifer Snelgrove
As a mother of 4 and 2 with complex medical needs, I am passionate about supporting families in need. As a parent and advocate, I know firsthand how challenging and rewarding this journey can be. I believe wholeheartedly in the community Hope4MVCKids has created. A community where families feel understood and empowered, and to provide the support they need to navigate this unique path with confidence and strength.
Stacey Tomlinson
I am a Governance Analyst with a strong background in organizational oversight and accountability. Outside of work, I'm married and a proud parent of two teenage daughters, one who loves the barn, and the other who lives at the dance studio (so I volunteer there too!). I have always been deeply committed to community service and am an active member of the Carstairs Elks, contributing to local initiatives and fostering community engagement.
Joy Cavin
I have always loved this organization. So when an IT position came up I knew it was my time to join this incredible board.