The Community First Health Co-op was incorporated in 2003 “to enhance the health and wellness of communities, families and individuals by providing services through a co-operative partnership of consumer and health service providers”. In 2006, the Board purchased the old forestry building and the Community’s vision of their Wellness Centre was created. The Centre houses both traditional and complementary medicine for a, “one stop” health centre supporting services for all ages. The present partners supply acupuncture and natural health, children’s resources, Chinese medicine, chronic disease support, community services, educational and nursing programs, massage, pharmacy, physicians and chiropractic and Blade Runners.

Run by a volunteer board, with over 1200 members, the Community First Health Co-op, with funding assistance from Columbia Basin Trust, The City of Nelson and Areas E & F of the Regional District of Central Kootenay, has just opened The Community Health Resource Centre. The Centre is staffed by trained volunteers who will support individuals and families dealing with chronic disease and provide prevention advice for the whole community. The organizations offering their services and links from the centre are ALS, Alzheimer, Arthritis, Cancer, Heart and Stroke, Kidney, Lung, MS, Parkinson’s, Overeaters Anonymous, Seniors Co-ordinating Society and Friends of Nelson Elders. The Education room is available for volunteer group meetings around both health related events and problem solving initiatives.

The need for affordable housing is a priority of the Board and as a member of the Nelson Housing Forum, they are now in the process of moving ahead with two options for housing in Nelson, one located next to the Wellness Centre and the other a Seniors Option in Fairview. The Board has also established the Elder Care Working Committee exploring the ways to further support services for Seniors in our communities.

Community First Health Co-op is committed to supporting solutions for healthy community.