Ayás Mén̓men
Child & Family Services
Nexwnínlhewá7nem Ch’áwch’aw hén̓xwilhem (People Services on Wheels)
Nexwnínlhewá7nem Ch’áwch’aw (People Services) hear the voices of Sḵwx̱wú7mesh People — including the need for more wellness supports, mental health care and culturally grounded services.
Acting on this need, and committed to a cultural approach, a Nexwnínlhewá7nem Ch’áwch’aw hén̓xwilhem (People Services on Wheels) van is being launched. This supportive mobile unit, which is a specialized van with medical equipment and support staff, will be a dedicated resource for Community both on the North Shore and in Squamish Valley. The People Services on Wheels vehicle made its debut at Amalgamation Day and is starting to move through reserve communities as well as be stationed at community gathering spaces.
People Services are committed to responding to Community need in ways rooted in community direction, culture and connection. We are focused on building a stronger, more responsive system of care that reflects who we are as Sḵwx̱wú7mesh People. We are excited to provide this new, responsive system of care – in the form of a mobile unit — to Community.
The Nexwnínlhewá7nem Ch’áwch’aw hén̓xwilhem (People Services on Wheels) will be offering the following to Community:
- Drug checking, harm reduction and overdose prevention
- Detox and drug treatment support, emotional and mental health support
- Traditional medicines and cultural care with Elders and knowledge keepers
- Support for youth and families including youth workers, outreach, referrals, and family social workers & counsellors
- Assistance finding support through Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw
- Referrals to community services and supportive partners
- Comfort items (food, blankets, water, etc.)
Our vehicle is now in Community responding to needs with immediate, practical support. By the fall, People Services on Wheels will have increased staff and hours and by April 2026, will be fully outfitted with equipment. And, as the service grows, staffing will be increased as will service hours.
Currently, the vehicle is being staffed by existing staff members across departments, with permanent staff to be hired in the months to come.
The van is currently operating during weekdays, on a 9am to 7pm schedule, with set community outreach sessions on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Outreach activities include distributing harm reduction supplies, offering light first aid, providing water, and sharing information with community members. On Mondays, the van conducts drug checking in Squamish Valley, making regular trips to the Valley as part of the early scheduling.
The People Services on Wheels vehicle developed from a strong partnership between Yuustway Health & Wellness, Membership Services, Ayás Mén̓men Child & Family Services, and the Public Safety Department’s Community Safety Team — all coming together with a shared commitment to Community well-being.
For more information contact Hannah Rushton:
Phone: 604-985-4111
Email: Hannah_Rushton@squamish.net
Nation Updates
Approval given for Second Floatel in Squamish
Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw Council approved the second floatel following a review process under the Squamish National Environmental Assessment Agreement (SNEAA) -- the first Indigenous-led environmental assessment of its kind.
Unveiling the Squamish Valley Community Plan
We are unveiling The Valley’s Plan next month, a first of its kind in the Squamish Valley. It gathers all plans (past, present, future) and clearly explains what we would like to accomplish in the Squamish Valley over the next 10 years.
Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw Constitution Project Update
During the past two years, we’ve collected input from our community-- at events, family dinners, and through online surveys -- about what should be in our Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw Constitution.