With the recent “surge funding” from the BC Government (Community Action Grant) we have been able to offer more people more access to counselling. The changes we are implementing include:
- Expanding our support to the Sunshine Coast. We have hired a Social Worker who lives in Gibsons, and is well connected with the community there. She is planning to develop group counselling and peer support for people dealing with addictions, and will also deliver our popular WRAP (Wellness Recovery Action Plan) Groups.
- We have hired two new Registered Clinical Counsellors to help reduce our waiting time to see a counsellor one-on-one.
- We have increased our capacity to do virtual counselling, making our hours more flexible and reaching clients who were previously unable to come to the office due to work commitments, mobility issues, health problems or living too far away etc.
And lastly, through a donation from Telus (tablets and phones), some of our outreach clients who are still waiting for housing, now have access to much needed counselling.
Despite the many losses we have all experienced during these last months, this has been a big WIN for our counselling program and the clients we work with.Â