Ayás Mén̓men
Child & Family Services
Office & Contact Details
Phone: 604-985-4111
Email: ayasmenmen_reception@squamish.net
Address: Unit 2, 380 Welch Street, West Vancouver, BC V7P 0A7
Mailing Address: PO Box 51570, 911 Park Royal South, West Vancouver, BC V7T 1A0
Director
Tanya Brown
Director
Hannah Rushton
The philosophy of Ayás Mén̓men is to enhance the lives of the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh children, their families, and the community by providing a caring, supportive, and vital community service. We walk alongside families in their journey, providing restorative, holistic, and culturally-grounded family services.
Ayás Mén̓men equips children, youth, and families with life skills, supports, education, and training to be able to live a healthy life and to walk with guidance, confidence, support, and identity in the life they choose. Through a safe, fun, holistic, and cultural approach, our goal is to ensure that every child has safety, protection, security, love, guidance, spirituality, healing, and respect in their lives.
In support of the long-term objective to create a generational shift towards wellness defined by Sḵwx̱wú7mesh values, Ayás Mén̓men offers holistic supports for prenatal, early years, youth, families, and community. The department supports family capacity-building to help families take responsibility to care for each other, assists families with advocacy, emotional support through crisis, and prevention so that Nation Members are able to support and empower one another.
Ayás Mén̓men could be interpreted as ‘peace to our children’, which reflects a fundamental element of our mandate and vision. The name was given to us by our Elders in 1993.
Now, more than ever, we need to show trans, Two-Spirit, and non-binary youth that we are there to support them. We Are Allies was created to help adults learn how to support and care for the youth in their lives.
Ayás Mén̓men (Child & Family Services) is a pilot site and trusted messenger partner with transcare BC. Our skilled and caring staff are available to support with pathways to access supports and resources for Sḵwx̱wú7mesh two spirit, trans and non-binary youth. These resources include youth supports, the youth center as a safe space, as well as wellness and land-based healing supports.
If you have any questions, or are seeking support, call 604-985-4111 or email ayasmenmen_reception@squamish.net.
Nation Updates
Squamish Nation Statement on defeat of the Final Settlement Agreement
The Squamish Nation is celebrating the defeat of the draft Final Settlement Agreement on the Reform of the First Nations Child and Family Services Program.
Our Generational Plan is being unveiled
On Saturday, Nov. 2 a special event is planned for the unveiling of Úxwumixw 2050. The event is an opportunity to share and celebrate Úxwumixw 2050: Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Generational Plan.
