… home of Pender Harbour Community School

We operate from the Harbour Learning Centre – the colourful little building located at on the grounds of the Elementary School in the centre of Madeira Park and the “hub” of the community.  It’s not only where our office is located, it is the welcoming “go-to place” where people come to learn, to interact socially and to find out what’s happening in the community.

From this wheelchair accessible building, we organize and host special events such as Pender Harbour Literacy Crawl and the Good Egg project, deliver a variety of affordable or free workshops – from Basket Weaving to Narcan Training – and offer Certification courses such as FoodSafe, First Aid & CPR. We also work with other organizations to bring specialized skills training not otherwise available in our rural community, such as “Mental Health First Aid” & “All Youth Matters Inclusion Training” for our Youth facilitators, as well as professional development opportunities for other non-profits in our community.

We are your Community Information & Referral Centre

We have a wealth of knowledge at our fingertips and are here to get folks connected to the resources they need.  In 2015 we conducted a thorough inventory of our community’s organizations, events, venues and amenities and published the Pender Harbour Community Resource Directory. The online version is updated on an ongoing basis and a printed copy was last updated in April 2021. We also maintain an online Community Events calendar of events.

At the Harbour Learning Centre, people have access to computers, internet, photocopy, fax machine, and can borrow equipment such as digital projector, tents and sports equipment. Newcomers drop in to learn about volunteer opportunities in the area or to ask questions about everything from childcare to jobs. The building is also utilized for many community events and celebrations throughout the year. And, on Friday mornings, we convert the space into a dining area (and dance floor!) for our Breakfast Club for the elementary school kids.

It is a space where all members of the community feel welcome and connected

We have a private office in the building where folks can access the services of SC Child Care Resource & Referral, WorkBC Employment Services, and the Volunteer Tax program who offer outreach services at various times throughout the year. With no public transportation or taxi service available in our rural area, this service really helps in reducing the barrier of isolation for many of our citizens.

We also use the space to provide one-to-one support to youth and families who are facing challenges (such as mental health issues, homelessness, parental issues, aboriginal-specific needs, youth at risk, and the marginally employed) as well as other challenges compounded by social and geographic isolation.

Pender Harbour Community School’s main programs and activities include: After-school programs, Student & family support; Nutrition programs; Community Recreation programs; Shared-learning program; Youth program; Restitution program.

Drop by to say hello and to learn more:

Harbour Learning Centre
~ home of Pender Harbour Community School
5012 Gonzales Road, PO Box 232, salalus (Madeira Park), BC, V0N 2H0
Phone: 604.883.2826

Open: Tues & Wed 9am to 3pm and Fri 9am to 1pm (closed on school closures days & during the summer)