J-Van
J-Van brings life, hope, and joy to families in Nanaimo.
Vision
J-Van brings life-giving experiences to families living in affordable housing. We create spaces filled with joy, hope, and connection—because we believe every family deserves the chance to thrive!
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About Us
J-Van is a vibrant Christian-based ministry on wheels that is dedicated to bringing life, hope, and joy to families in Nanaimo. As a matter of fact J-Van is short for, Jesus Van. Our team is made up of passionate Christian volunteers of all ages and backgrounds, from churches across the city—and even around the world! We’re united by a desire to share the abundant life and love of Jesus in practical, meaningful ways. Therefore, we strive to create uplifting spaces where families feel seen, supported, and valued. Whether it’s through a kids day camp, a community BBQ, or simply showing up with care and a listening ear, we want families to know they’re not alone. So, with our van packed full of supplies, activities, and snacks, we create pop-up events right in the heart of communities—because that’s what J-Van is all about: Jesus, joy, and showing up where it matters most.
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​J-Van Summer – Summer of Joy
Every summer, J-Van rolls into neighbourhoods with one big goal: to bring a Summer of Joy to kids and families! We host a free, on-site day camp full of exciting games, creative crafts, and tasty snacks—right in the neighborhoods where families live. Kids get to laugh, play, and make new friends in a safe and welcoming environment, and caregivers are always invited to hang out and connect with our team.
Learn more below about our Summer of Joy schedule and how to get involved!
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J-Van BBQs – More Than a Meal​
Throughout the year, even after summer ends, J-Van keeps showing up! We host monthly pop-up BBQs in the same neighborhoods where we’ve held Summer of Joy camps.
These gatherings help us stay connected with families and build lasting relationships. Around the BBQ and fire pit, we share food, stories, and encouragement. Whether it’s sunny, rainy, windy, or snowy, we bring the grill, the shelter, the chairs—and the love.
Check out our BBQ calendar below to see when we’ll be in your neighborhood next!
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What's Ahead – And How You Can Help
​J-Van is now being carried forward by the dedicated team at YWAM (Youth With A Mission), who are committed to continuing this meaningful outreach to families in affordable housing. But the vision of J-Van is bigger than one church, team, or organization. It belongs to the community—and it needs the community to keep going. To keep J-Van rolling into neighbourhoods, we need volunteers, donations, and partnerships from local churches, businesses, organizations, and individuals who believe in what we’re doing.
Whether you’re able to give your time, offer financial support, or simply spread the word, your help makes a real impact.
Find out how you can partner with J-Van today.
Together, we can bring joy, hope, and Jesus to the streets of Nanaimo—one neighborhood at a time!
Here's what you can expect from J-Van's Summer of Joy!
J-Van's Summer of Joy is coming to your neighbourhood!
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Our bright and friendly J-Van team will roll into your neighborhood ready to bring the fun! Using a pop-up style, we bring everything needed—from crafts and games to snacks and supplies—so kids can jump right into a joyful afternoon of activities. We’ll set up a special area right on-site where the fun will happen. Our team includes caring adults to supervise and energetic young leaders to play games and run activities with the kids.
The program runs from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM, and families are welcome to bring their kids 10 minutes early to check in. Parents, grandparents, and caregivers—you’re invited too! Come say hello, enjoy some refreshments, and connect with our team while your kids play and create. There will be free snacks and drinks for everyone, and we love getting to know the whole family.
J-Van’s Summer of Joy is more than just a day camp—it’s a celebration of community, connection, and hope!
1. How it works when J-Van Arrives
You’ll spot us rolling into the neighborhood in our big grey J-Van—you can’t miss us! Once we arrive, we’ll need about 20 minutes to set up our activity area.
After that, one of our friendly team members will be at our check-in table to welcome families. Before your child can join in the fun, we’ll need a J-Van Permission Form signed by a parent or guardian.
We’ll have paper copies available on site, or you can fill it out online and send it to us ahead of time—whatever works best for you!
If you don’t catch us driving in, no problem! Some of our team members will be walking around the complex going door-to-door to personally invite families to join the fun.
2. Check-In & let the Fun Begin
As your child checks in, they’ll receive a name tag, and one of our team members will come by to personally say hello and help them feel at home.
We’ll offer a variety of games, crafts, and fun activities for your child to choose from—there’s something for everyone! And if your child isn’t quite ready to join a group activity, that’s totally okay. Our team is ready to connect with kids one-on-one and help them have fun in their own way.
Snacks and drinks will be provided during the program. We do our best to consider common allergies, but if your child has any serious or life-threatening allergies, please let us know at check-in or on the permission form so we can keep them safe.
3. Wrapping Up the Day
As we finish up the fun and games, we’ll invite the kids to help us tidy up the area before we pack up the van—it's a great way to end the day together!
Although our program officially runs until 6:00 PM, kids are welcome to head home earlier if needed. A parent, guardian, or older sibling is welcome to pick them up at any time during the program.
If your child stays with us until 6:00 PM, some of our team members will gladly walk them back home before we leave the site.
Please note: J-Van does not provide transportation or shuttle services.
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J-Van Values
Life-Giving
In everything we do, we strive to create life-giving experiences and spaces that radiate life and hope. We use words and actions that uplift our friends, infused with Godly truth and wisdom. This manifests in love in action, such as dedicating time to meet the needs of families.​
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Hope-Filled
We strive to create nurturing and supportive environments where we can be fully present and attentive to our friends as they share their joys and struggles. We actively engage in conversations and take action to build and maintain strong relationships. We genuinely value our friends and demonstrate interest, empathy, and compassion for their lives and aspirations.
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Joyful Attitudes
We believe that joy is not merely a fleeting emotion but a profound expression of deep gladness and contentment found in the love and presence of Jesus. This joy is unshakable by external circumstances and can be shared through our words and actions.
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Serve Families
We hold families, caregivers, and children in high esteem and respect. We view our friends as image-bearers of God and recognize their inherent value as created beings of a holy and loving God. Our goal is to nurture long-term relationships with the communities we serve.
These core values are what we strive to express throughout all J-Van related work. We believe that it is through these values that families will be blessed and encouraged by how we share God's transforming love!
“May the Lord cause you to flourish,
Both you and your children.
May you be blessed by the Lord,
The maker of heaven and earth.”
- Psalm 115:14-15
To Request More Info
Email:
jvan@ywamnanaimo.com
Call:
+1 250 591 9650
