First Years Caring Collective (FYCC) is launching on Cortes Island to offer volunteer help for families who are expecting or have recently had a baby.

One of the four founding moms, Jodi Peters, used a seed grant through the MicroGrants for Neighbours program to conduct interviews with parents about their experience of going through their children's first years on the island. Through the gathered information, FYCC aims to fill the gaps by providing social connection, light housekeeping, help with meals and provides contact lists of peer support as well as professional services in the region. Educational events will likely follow in the future.

FYCC is partnering with local businesses such as Nzuri Baskets to gift a welcome package to parents of a newborn, and is under the umbrella of the Cortes Community Health Association.

An open house on Wednesday, May 25 held 2-5 p.m. in the courtyard of Cortes Natural Food Co-op is planned to explain the offerings and attract volunteer interest in the community.

FYCC can be reached via firstyears@corteshealth.ca

Listen to the interview with co-founder Yasmina Cartland below: