Providence Farm 40th Anniversary Community Picnic

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Wednesday, July 10th, 2019
4:00 PM to 7:00 PM

The 1960s and1970s were a period of change and turmoil in much of the world. The tumult encouraged a number of efforts to build community to establish a better way of working together. It was in just such an atmosphere that 1978 saw a group of people with varied backgrounds and interests get together to discuss building community at the old St. Ann’s School and farm in Duncan.

From 1978 to 1979, meetings took place with the Sisters and other interested persons, and by July 12, 1979, agreement had been made to establish a registered charity named the Vancouver Island Providence Community Association (VIPCA) – named in memory of Sister Mary Providence, the founder of the school in Duncan in 1864. The mission of the newly established VIPCA was established and therapeutic programming began. The farm site became known as Providence Farm. In 2009, at the celebration of Providence Farm’s 30th Anniversary, the Sisters of St. Ann generously and formally gifted the farm property to VIPCA

For the past 40 years Providence Farm has continued to operate as an independent, working, therapeutic, secular organization serving adults and seniors with a variety of mental health challenges, developmental and intellectual disabilities and age-related illnesses. Work centers around the focus on renewal of body and spirit through the people caring for the soil, and the soil nurturing the people.

Over 40 years the farm has seen many changes, many challenges and success but most importantly had the privilege of interacting with so many members of the community. With the common goal of supporting our clients, we have had the pleasure to interact with families, caregivers, volunteers, members of the health authority and related agencies, donors, community leaders and general supporters.