Bridging barriers so families and communities can access essential care
Every Variety grant helps children access programs, services, and equipment their families can’t afford or might otherwise wait months and years for.
Here’s a bit more about the key types of support we offer.
Adaptive and medical equipment
Every child should have the freedom to explore and participate in their community; the right equipment can help kids gain greater independence and well-being. We fund essential medical supplies and mobility equipment tailored to each child’s needs, such as manual and power wheelchairs, adaptive tricycles, hearing aids, standing walkers, ceiling tracks and ramps for homes, custom orthotics, and van conversions.
Specialized therapies
Every child is unique, and so are their therapeutic needs. Variety provides funding for a range of therapies that help children develop essential skills and improve their quality of life. Speech and language therapy helps children communicate effectively, whether by strengthening their verbal abilities or introducing alternative communication methods. Physiotherapy supports children in rebuilding or strengthening their muscles, improving mobility, and gaining independence in their daily activities. Occupational therapy assists children in carrying out daily tasks, enhancing their ability to participate in school and home life.
Beyond traditional therapies, we also fund other forms of support, such as equine therapy and music therapy. By funding a range of supports, parents and kids can explore which options are right for them during a particular life stage.
Private autism and psychoeducational assessments
In BC, an autism diagnosis gives children access to government funding for essential therapies and other resources. But wait times for an assessment through the public health system can stretch as long as two to three years. To help more kids access early diagnoses and interventions, we fund private autism and psychoeducational assessments, allowing children to be tested within months instead of years. This enables families to access timely diagnoses so their kids can navigate key developmental milestones with the right support.
Tuition and tutoring
Every parent wants their child to feel confident and capable at school. And learning environments that set kids up to succeed have a positive ripple effect on their social, emotional, and physical health. Our tutoring and tuition bursaries help kids with a range of learning disabilities access education options that are right for them, including one-on-one tutoring and bursaries for specialized education.
Mental health support
Recognizing the rise in anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem—especially post-pandemic—we offer funding for clinical counselling for children. Our goal is to help kids and youth process trauma and other mental health challenges and develop tools for self-regulation and resilience.
Additional Support Programs
Our support doesn’t stop there. We also offer:
- School grants: We help fund inclusive and accessible spaces, such as adding sensory rooms, adaptive classroom furniture, or installing accessible playground infrastructure.
- Hospital grants: Working with hospitals, we help families who need to travel for a child’s medical emergency with financial support for essential items.
- Type 1 Diabetes Support: We cover costs not covered by public healthcare for insulin, insulin pumps, or glucose monitors.
- Sunshine Coach Grants: We help fund custom vans that provide safe and reliable transportation for organizations serving children with disabilities.
Every child needs support to grow, flourish and explore their world. Early intervention isn’t just about therapy or medical equipment. It’s about showing kids their community cares about their wholistic wellbeing, and we’re proud to be part of that community.