OUR VALUES

Inspired

We consistently seek out and apply feedback with a vision to advance and progress collaboratively as a team, leveraging technology to interact efficiently with our stakeholders and our community.

Accountable

We take responsibility for our actions and the overall success of the organization. We are honest, transparent, clear and kind.

Community

We create and embrace a welcoming, collaborative, and supportive community haven.

Compassionate

We exemplify compassion towards each other, ourselves, and our community.

Engaged

We work to ensure all of our interactions reflect a responsive, empathetic, and optimistic outlook.

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Table of Contents

• Mission/Purpose...................................................... 3
• A Letter From Our Leaders................................... 4
• Special Events.......................................................... 5
• Our Services.............................................................. 7
• Our Impact................................................................. 9
• Financials................................................................... 10
• Community Supporters........................................ 13
• Major Funders........................................................... 14
• Looking Forward...................................................... 15
• Get Involved.............................................................. 16
• Our Team.................................................................... 17

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Our Mission

The Victoria Brain Injury Society believes in a better future for brain injury survivors. The Victoria Brain Injury Society's mission is to offer personalized and group support, advocacy, education, and housing assistance to brain injury survivors and their families. We further strive to increase community awareness and reduce stigma about brain injury.

Our Purpose

We offer individual support, peer support, family support, and various group programs in order to meet the needs of our diverse community. We assist people who’ve experienced concussions, strokes, aneurysms, and countless other types of ABI. We’re here to help you recover, adapt, adjust; regain independence; and develop a secure sense of community.

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A Letter From Our Leaders

2024/25 was a year of transformation and connection at the Victoria Brain Injury Society. With our move to a new office in Nootka Court, we created a more accessible, welcoming, and functional space for survivors and their families. This move was more than a change of address - it was a chance to reimagine how we support our community and reduce barriers to care.

Our programs continued to grow and evolve. Survivors found connection and resilience through peer support, Coping Strategies, and Train Your Brain. The SHINE program sparked important conversations about brain injury awareness in schools across Greater Victoria. These milestones remind us that education, advocacy, and support are all deeply interconnected in our mission to empower survivors.

We were also uplifted by the generosity of our community. Our annual gala, An Evening of Black & White... Because Gray Matters, raised over $123,000, a remarkable success that helped us extend our reach and strengthen our impact.

Alongside the steady commitment of our donors, sponsors, and volunteers, every hour and every contribution made a difference. As we reflect on this year, we are grateful for the dedication of our staff and volunteers, who show compassion and creativity every day. We are equally grateful to the survivors who inspire us with their courage, and to our supporters who make this work possible.

As we look ahead, we remain committed to building a future where every survivor feels seen, heard, and supported.

With gratitude,

Pam Prewett, Executive Director Shannon Kowalko, Board Chair

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Special Events

Our Big Move

During the Summer of 2024 we had the opportunity to move from our long-time home on Pembroke to our new office in the Nootka Court. This transition represented more than just a change of address, rather, it was an opportunity to enhance the way we support brain injury survivors and their families.

Our new space has allowed us to expand our programs and extend hours, giving clients more opportunities to access support when they need it. The improved layout and central location have also been crucial in providing accessibility and reducing barriers for those with mobility challenges. The move represents meaningful change and growth for VBIS, as we continue to build a welcoming home for recovery and connection.

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Special Events

An Evening of Black and White... Because Grey Matters

On March 1st, 2025, VBIS proudly hosted our annual Gala and Auctions, marking one of our most important events of the year. The evening was incredibly successful bringing together some of our vital community partners and sponsors to support and learn about brain injury and its effect within sport. With an incredibly moving speech from Kira Grebinski, attendees were able to hear about first hand experience with brain injury.

In addition to Kira’s presentation, magician Jason Verners gave us one of his mind-blowing performances, providing the entertainment for the evening. In total the event raised over $123,000 for the Victoria Brain Injury Society across our silent, live, and dessert auction, along with the annual raise a paddle ceremony to close off the night. We are incredibly appreciative of everyone who was able to join us for the event while we raised vital funds to help us continue our programs and services.

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Our Services

Support

Peer Support Volunteers who have experienced concussion or brain injury themselves are trained to support new members, facilitate group conversations, answer questions & refer survivors to vital community resources. They pass on useful coping techniques and share their experiences with other survivors. VBIS provided this program for 186 individuals for a total of 1955 visits.

Housing Program The Housing Outreach Program was launched in 2022 to provide clients with one-on-one assistance in finding stable housing through working with individuals to reduce economic and social barriers. VBIS provided housing assistance to 59 individuals for a total of 182 visits.

L.I.F.T: Leading, Inspiring, and Fostering Together The L.I.F.T Youth Support group was created this year. It acknowledges the importance of peer support, shared experiences, and the promotion of empowerment and identity at this age. This specificity helps create a more relatable, effective, and inclusive support system for youth age 16-25.

Yoga and Mindfulness Designed to cultivate resilience through tailored practices, fostering physical and mental well-being to help navigate the path to recovery and personal growth. These programs serviced 27 clients with a total of 159 visits.

Creative Arts This therapeutic program offers clients the chance to explore the world of visual arts, learn to expand their creativity, and unleash their imagination. We were joined by 22 individuals with a total of 87 visits.

Equine Assisted Learning EAL is a life-skills program that encourages individual and team growth. Each week, participants work in teams and engage in objectively driven ground exercises with a horse. 39 individuals joined this group for a total of 223 visits.

Music Therapy Our music therapist uses both musical and clinical interventions to help brain injury survivors improve, maintain, and restore an optimal state of well-being. We had 33 individuals served here this year, for a total of 388 visits.

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Our Services

Educate

ABI 101 This 4-week introductory course breaks down the complexities of brain injuries. With a focus on brain anatomy, ABI 101 aims to provide survivors with an deeper understanding of symptoms and their scientific causes. This year we hosted 39 individuals for a total of 106 visits.

Coping Strategies This 24-week program is an in-depth course for brain injury survivors. We look at ways to cope with brain injury in day to day life. There are several guest speakers throughout the program. VBIS provided this course for 50 individuals for a total of 279 visits.

Advocate

Case Management Case managers provide 1 on 1 professional support to clients, their families, and caregivers of survivors. This helps brain injury survivors recover, adapt and adjust to their new reality, while building the stability needed to maintain independence. This past year, we provided care to 238 individuals.

SHINE Student Head Injury Neuro Education (SHINE) connects with high schools to speak to senior students about brain safety. SHINE aims to impact the lives of youth by providing crucial safety information, empowering youth to identify and respond to concussions appropriately. We reached 958 youth this year.

Train Your Brain A weekly cognitive training course where clients track moving spheres in a 3D-space. NeuroTracker is a research based software that has had amazing positive results, helping 82 clients with cognitive challenges.

External Outreach We continue to connect with various sports teams, corporate, and non-profit organizations to present about brain injury. This year we reached 691 individuals for a total of 16 sessions.

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Our Impact

• Total Survivors Served: 590
• Volunteer Hours Contributed: 2,742
• Intakes Completed: 229
• Peer Support Visits: 1,955

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Financials

VICTORIA BRAIN INJURY SOCIETY

STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED MARCH 31

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