MALCOLM'S JOURNEY
1
MEDEVAC
FLIGHT
24
NIGHTS AT
JENEECE PLACE
3
SPECIALIST VISITS PER MONTH
When Ashley’s son Malcolm was born with Prader-Willi syndrome, her world changed overnight. Jeneece Place became her refuge, a place of rest and understanding surrounded by families who knew her journey. Families like hers rely on the Foundation to stay close when it matters most.
Sheri
Shanahan
NANAIMO, BC
EMMA'S JOURNEY
11
MEDICAL SPECIALISTS
70+
NIGHTS AT JENEECE PLACE
2,000
HOURS OF TRAVEL
Thousands of Island families are on health care journeys like the Emma's. Every day, families across Vancouver Island travel long distances to get health care for their kids. Whether it’s an emergency hospital trip or a recurring specialist appointment, it takes a toll on a family physically, mentally, emotionally, and financially.
32
DAYS AT VICTORIA NICU
6
DAYS AT NANAIMO NICU
7
DAYS AT HOME
When Sheri’s daughter Jesse was born at just 29 weeks, Jeneece Place gave her comfort and strength through the hardest days. After losing Jesse, Sheri dreamed of giving other families that same support. Her vision inspired Jesse’s House in Nanaimo, a home where parents can stay close to their child’s hospital bedside.
JESSE'S JOURNEY
HELP BUILD JESSE'S HOUSE
Keeping families together makes an incredible difference at a stressful time.
Each year, thousands of Island families must leave home for health care. In Nanaimo, the nearest hotel is over two kilometers from the hospital. Mothers in early labour from Ucluelet face a 2.5-hour drive, while families from Port Hardy travel 388 kilometers.
Jesse's House in Nanaimo will bring families closer to care, removing a major barrier to vital health services.
OUR VISION
Building on the success of our other homes, Jeneece Place (Victoria) and Q̓ ʷalayu House (Campbell River), Jesse's House will ensure that all families travelling to major Vancouver Island hospital centres for perinatal, maternal, and pediatric care will have access to a warm, welcoming, and affordable place to stay. These families will include:
Pregnant mothers from remote communities with no local labour and delivery care
Mothers experiencing high-risk pregnancies
Families whose children need access to specialized pediatric care
Families of children and youth in crisis
Families who travel to Nanaimo for specialized care
The Foundation is deeply grateful the home will be situated on the traditional territory of the Snuneymuxw First Nation.
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© 2025 Children's Health Foundation of Vancouver Island
JESSE'S JOURNEY
MALCOLM'S JOURNEY
EMMA'S JOURNEY
HELP BUILD JESSE'S HOUSE
Keeping families together makes an incredible difference at a stressful time.
Join our mailing list to stay up to date.
DOUBLE YOUR IMPACT
READ OUR LATEST NEWSLETTERS
ONE GENEROUS GIFT. TWICE THE IMPACT.
Thanks to a generous Nanaimo donor, your gift will go twice as far to support Island families.
Inspired to give other Island families that same sense of support, she made a generous $40,000 matching gift to Jesse’s House.
Now through December 1, your gift will make twice the difference.
RIGHT NOW, UNTIL DECEMBER 1ST YOUR GIFT TO HELP BUILD JESSE’S HOUSE WILL BE MATCHED
Marlee & Sheri Shanahan
Jesse’s sister & mom
Nanaimo, BC
DOUBLE YOUR IMPACT
RIGHT NOW, UNTIL DECEMBER 1ST YOUR GIFT TO HELP BUILD JESSE’S HOUSE WILL BE MATCHED
TOGETHER, WE'VE COME SO FAR
THANKS TO GENEROUS DONORS LIKE YOU
Our community has brought Jesse’s House closer to opening its doors.
But there’s still more to do.
$5,000
RAISED
TOGETHER, WE'VE COME SO FAR
THANKS TO GENEROUS DONORS LIKE YOU
Our community has brought Jesse’s House closer to opening its doors.
But there’s still more to do.