Hi all,
My name is Mike Washington and I am honored to live and work in the unceded territory of the WSANEC, Lekwungen, Scia’new, and T’Sou-ke peoples. I was born in Victoria but I am a proud member of the Lax Kw’alaams Band near Prince Rupert. I also have Salish, Bavarian, and French heritage.
I am a graduate of UVic’s Bachelor of Social Work program and I love helping people! I started with NIL TU,O in 2019 – initially as a social worker but have recently switched to a Family Support Worker role.
As a support worker I do a lot more work in-person with individuals and families. In short, I help anyone that needs support to overcome personal, family, or societal barriers. I offer support to: families with children 0-6, high risk families and/or youths, families raising children with FASD, and caregivers.
I can help community members with finding housing, employment, counselling, and ‘other’ supports for family members. I can also help with budgeting, life skills, building healthy relationships, and more.
During my BSW studies at UVic I learned a lot about colonialism in Canada. I see my role at NIL TU,O as helping individuals and families to empower themselves and help them undo the effects of colonization. I’ve had similar support roles with M’akola Housing, Tla’amin Nation, and VNFC Housing* (*contract).
I am a family man with a loving wife of 30+ years and 3 fabulous children. We love spending time hanging out with each other and visiting friends and family up and down the Island and Lower Mainland.
I enjoy meeting new people and hearing your thoughts, opinions, and suggestions on the work we are doing. I promise I will listen closely to anything you wish to share with me. Please feel free to come and talk to me if you see me at NIL TU,O or in community. Just say you saw my bio on the website!
Warm regards,
Mike