The Cowichan Foundation is concerned about the community and its needs.
We have established scholarship/bursaries at Vancouver Island University as part of our annual contribution to help post-secondary students from the Cowichan Valley.
We are made up of local community members from all walks of life who can act as a local need arises and be responsive to special local problems.
Our founder, Mike Coleman, passed away in 2021. As a lawyer, a politician, a family man, a community builder, he leaves behind a legacy of unequivocal service to the Cowichan Valley.
Mike served Duncan as councillor for 6 years and as the longest serving mayor for 22. Mike was instrumental in the creation of such agencies as Hiiye’yu Lelum (House of Friendship), Cowichan United Way, Family Life, Big Brothers, Community Futures, Legal Aid, Cowichan Valley Bar Association, and the Cowichan District Hospital Foundation.
His smile and razor sharp wit will be sorely missed, but his generosity and community bonding will live on in our fond memory and in the lifeblood of the many organizations and partnerships that he created, including the Cowichan Foundation.
Daniel is the president of the Cowichan Foundation, and is deeply committed to philanthropy within the Cowichan Valley. He has been the Chair and Director of the Cowichan District Hospital Foundation, was a Director and instrumental with the success of the 2018 BC Summer Games in the Cowichan Valley, and is a Director and Treasurer for the Cowichan Valley Soccer Association. He truly believes in giving back to the community. Daniel is married, with two lovely daughters, and manages a successful financial advisory practice at RBC Dominion Securities.
Lance is a local businessman who believes in this community. He is deeply moved by and supports the diverse local initiatives full of arts, sports, culture, and personal stories that happen daily in the Valley,
Along with his wife Liz, Lance started the popular Just Jake’s restaurant in Duncan over 30 years ago and has since opened a few other businesses in the Valley. Lance is the past president and co-founder of the Duncan Business Improvement Area, past member of the Chamber of Commerce and the Daybreak Rotary Club. He is a member of the Duncan Tourism Advisory Committee and is the chair of Cowichan Wheels.
Cam Drew, a local businessman, is well-known as the popular master of ceremonies whose wit and humour enhances such annual events as the Heart & Stroke kick-off breakfast and the Cowichan District Hospital Foundation gala fundraiser.
has lived in the Cowichan Valley since 2012. Born in Prince George, BC, she moved around quite a lot throughout her childhood. As an adult, she married and eventually settled down to raise her 4 children in a small community in Alberta. In an effort to get to know her neighbours, she volunteered on many boards including the local community hall, ladies club, library, and Community Adult Learning where she would eventually work as an Executive Director for the not-for-profit. Cathy’s love of volunteering and adult education led her to us, the Cowichan Foundation, where she feels her values of continuous learning and altruism are truly represented.
Educator, author and consultant. Charlie grew up in the Cowichan Valley and spent his entire career here. He has been a teacher and principal in several Cowichan Valley schools, most recently as District Principal of Indigenous Education. He also consults with schools and districts across North America. Charlie raised his family here, playing, coaching and volunteering for several sport teams.
Loretta Hopkins is Inuit from Inuvik, Northwest Territories and a member of the Inuvialuit Regional Corporation. In Inuvik she was the Beaufort Delta District Director, Northwest Territories Housing Corporation. She has been living on Vancouver Island since 2012. She works for Hiiye’yu Lelum (House of Friendship) Society as a Program Coordinator, Facilitator and Culture Knowledge Keeper and has been supporting the Cowichan Valley for 4 years. She has always been an active community volunteer and has been on many boards and committees.
Born and raised in the Cowichan Valley, Jane shares her fellow board members’ adoration for this beautiful Island we call home. She has worked with her parents in the local restaurant and bar scene for as long as she can remember, now managing administrative operations after securing her certificate in Business Management from VIU. Jane has always been passionate about education as well as language and the written word. She joined her father on the board of the Cowichan Foundation in 2021 to help run the newly founded MC Poetry and Spoken Word Competition for local students. She believes firmly in the importance of the arts and uplifting the voices of our youth, and so continues to make this competition her passion project year after year.
Andrew LaCroix grew up in the Cowichan Valley. Andrew studied in Vancouver and Saskatoon and, after practicing law in a large firm in Vancouver, moved his family back to the Valley where he runs a busy law practice. Andrew has volunteered with several not-for-profit organizations in the area and looks forward to helping maintain Mike Coleman’s legacy of public service with the Cowichan Foundation. When not spending time with his wife and three kids, Andrew can often be found at the Cowichan Golf Club, or tinkering with old European cars.
YOUR DONATION WORKS FOR OUR COMMUNITY
Willing or donating money “In Memoriam” can be a living legacy in recognition of loved ones. Your charitable Donation gives back to your community providing further education for citizens ensuring a brighter future in the Cowichan Valley.