Support Services
Scroll down for workshops and gatherings, employment programs, tech support, financial ideas and other services which can provide support.
Also, CMHA-Vancouver offers other supports, in addition to the Get Set & Connect program. Click below for more info about these programs and services.
Also check out our researched list of Free Counselling options.
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Campaign "Act for Mental Health"
All Canadians have a right to free, publicly funded mental health care.
Despite the fact that many Canadians require mental health services, only a small percentage of them will receive it. The Act for Mental Health campaign, a group of Canadian organizations, is calling on politicians to implement universal mental health care. There are several reasons why this is important:
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Pharmacy Compass
Customer Crisis Fund (CCF)
The Customer Crisis Fund (CCF) is a program offered by BC Hydro to assist residential customers who have been disconnected or are at risk of disconnection due to unpaid bills. The CCF is intended for those who are experiencing temporary financial difficulties, such as job loss, unexpected medical expenses, or the death of a family member.
To be eligible for the CCF, applicants must meet the following criteria:
Applications for the CCF can be submitted online through the BC Hydro website, or on paper at Service BC locations across BC. Community agencies known as CCF Advocates can also assist with the application process. 211 Elsewhere in BC 1-844-708-3208 604-909-4861 |
Vancouver Rent Bank
The Housing Stability Loan Program is a service that provides one-time, interest-free loans to people who are at risk of eviction, homelessness, or utility disconnection due to temporary financial difficulties. The loans can be used to pay for rent, security deposits, and necessary utilities (ex. gas).
Eligibility for the program is determined by the following criteria:
To apply for a Housing Stability Loan, candidates must provide proof of income, statements of expenses, valid identification, and proof of tenancy. The maximum loan amount for a single borrower is $1300 and $1800 for families. Repayment of the loans is spread out over a 24-month period. In addition to providing financial assistance, the Program also offers resources to help individuals better manage their limited financial resources. Update: Drop-in has re-opened on Thursdays from 11:00 am - 2:00 pm Location: 920 East Hastings St., Vancouver Contact Information: Email: vrb@niccss.ca Tel: 604-566-9685, 604-569-3779 |
Plan Institute - Workshops and Publications
The Disability Education and Resource Centre (DERC) provides educational programs and resources for individuals with disabilities and their families.
Programs and Resources Offered:
The DERC's workshops cover a range of topics that are relevant to individuals with disabilities and their families. These topics include:
Whether you're an individual with a disability, a family member, or a caregiver, the DERC has programs and resources to help you prepare for and navigate the challenges that come with living with a disability. Contact Information: Reception: 604-439-9566 Helpline: 1-844-311-7526 Email: info@planinstitute.ca |
Consolidated Credit Counselling Services of Canada Inc
The Credit Counselling Society is a non-profit organization that provides free credit counseling, resources for financial education and financial literacy, and assistance to individuals in financial hardship.
The Credit Counselling Society's services are available in several languages, including Cantonese, Farsi, Arabic, and Spanish. Hours: Monday-Thursday: 5:30 am - 5:00 pm Friday: 5:30 am - 3:00 pm Saturday: 6:00 am - 11:00 am Sunday: Closed Location: #1500, 701 West Georgia Street, Vancouver Contact Information: Phone: 844-329-7615 Email: Vancouver@consolidatedcredit.ca Note: The Credit Counselling Society's Vancouver satellite office is by appointment only and can be contacted by phone, email, or through the online contact form. |
Office of the Superintendent of Bankruptcy
Physical address: 2000-300 West Georgia Street 1-877-376-9902 604-666-4610 |
Credit Counselling Society - Vancouver Office
Physical address: Suite 290 – 800 Hornby Street 604-527-8999 1-888-527-8999 |
Various PHS Community Services Society Shelter’s
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Various Community Builder Shelter's
Community Builders runs a supportive housing program that provides temporary housing for homeless adults of all genders who are at least 19 years old. The program has multiple sites around Vancouver and provides the following facilities:
Some sites are partially accessible and provide different levels of additional support services. Open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Physical address: Various locations in Vancouver Phone: 778-379-3940 Email: info@communitybuilders.ca |
Lookout - Yukon Shelter
The Lookout Shelters are open 24/7 and offer a range of services and assistance to those in need, including:
Eligibility: Unhoused individuals Email: yukon_shelter@lookoutsociety.ca Phone Number: 604-264-1680 Yukon Shelter Location: 2088 Yukon St, Vancouver Note: Other shelters are located in Surrey, North Vancouver, New Westminster, and Abbotsford. |
Kaleidoscope Mental Health Support Society
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The Disaster Psychosocial Services (DPS) Volunteer Network
The Disaster Psychosocial Services (DPS) Volunteer Network:
200-1333 W Broadway
250-686-6061
- is a group of professionals and paraprofessionals with training in mental health and psychosocial support.
- provides support to communities, emergency support organizations, first responders, and other parties impacted by emergencies and disasters throughout British Columbia.
- dispatches DPS volunteers who specialize in Psychological First Aid (PFA) within 24 hours of receiving a service request to provide support.
- has a team of experienced facilitators who engage with local communities to improve psychological readiness and resiliency by conducting PFA training sessions.
- managed by Health Emergency Management BC (HEMBC) and the Provincial Health Services Authority (PHSA).
200-1333 W Broadway
250-686-6061
Dress for Success Vancouver Society - Suiting
Hours of operation : Tuesday-Friday: 9 AM- 5PM, Saturday: 10AM-1PM Email : vancouver@dressforsucces.org Phone Number : 604.408.7923 Eligibility : Women seeking employment and newly employed LOCATION 675 W. Hastings Street, Mezzanine |
Get Connected
The Get Connected program at the Vancouver Public Library helps individuals connect one-on-one with a social worker for support with housing, record suspensions, employment, referrals to community services, and more!
The program is in partnership with Connective. Dates and Times: Thursdays from 1:00 - 3:00 pm Location: Mount Pleasant Branch, 1 Kingsway, Vancouver |
The Kettle Society - Community services - Homeless Outreach Program
The Homeless Outreach Program (HOP) at The Kettle is a program designed to assist anyone who is homeless or at risk of homelessness. The program helps individuals meet their immediate physical and safety needs.
Immediate Physical and Safety Needs:
Basic Necessities:
Assistance and Referrals:
PROVIDER PROFILE Hours of operation : Monday-Thursday 9:30am to 4:00pm Phone Number : 604-251-5275 Eligibility : Anyone who is experiencing homelessness, or is at risk of homelessness LOCATION 1725 Venables St |
The Buddy Up Campaign
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DTES Food Programs
The Downtown Eastside (DTES) Food Initiatives provide a range of food-related programs for individuals living in the DTES area.
Programs Offered:
The DTES Food Initiatives also offer community drop-in programs on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays. Community Drop-In Programs:
Food-Related Education:
The DTES Food Initiatives provide essential food-related programs and services to individuals living in the DTES area, helping to build community and promote food security. Physical address: 573 East Hastings Street Tel: 6042152030 |
Western Aboriginal Harm Reduction Society (WAHRS)
A group of present and past Aboriginal drug users works to address issues like alcoholism and health epidemics like hepatitis C and HIV/AIDS that are of special concern to Indigenous people. Meets at the VANDU office: sign-in at 12:15 pm, meeting at 1 pm Fridays (except on cheque issue week). Meals are distributed daily from this location from 12:30 pm to 1 pm.
Physical address: VANDU, 380 East Hastings Street 604-683-6061 604-683-6199 |
Heart Tattoo Society
The Downtown Eastside (DTES) Meals program provides weekly meals to DTES residents.
Weekly Meals:
The dates and locations of the meals may vary, so it is recommended to check the calendar for details. The DTES Meals program is a nonprofit society that operates in collaboration with Smoke Signals and the Overdose Prevention Society. Overdose Prevention Society BBQ Mondays 99 West Pender Street 3:30 pm to 6 pm Holiday meals include: Christmas, Valentine's, Easter, Canada Day, Thanksgiving and Remembrance Day. Smoke Signals BBQ Thursdays 161 East Cordova Street 2:30 pm to 4:30 pm Holiday meals include: Truth and Reconciliation Day Physical address: 41 East Hastings Street, 604-679-4019 |
Potluck Cafe Society
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Neighbourhood Helpers Project - Downtown South
Physical address: 3rd Floor-1067 Seymour Street 604-688-6851 604-688-6846 |
Morning Star
Provides homeless persons with showers, a community meal, a clothing exchange, housing advocacy, outreach, and referrals. Program hours are 7 am to 9:30 am Saturdays.
Physical address: 5288 Joyce Street 604-435-0323 |
Avalon Women's Centre
Phone number: (604) 408-8801 |
Miscellany - Women Working With Women Society
The thrift shop is a social venture that sells used items including:
The store is open:
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Families in Recovery (FIR) Program
FIR Square is a Combined Care Unit that provides care to women using substances and infants exposed to these substances. A multidisciplinary team will help you and your baby stabilize safely, provide care and support to you throughout your pregnancy, and support you in your transition back to your community after giving birth.
Details:
Referrals:
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Eastside Family Place
The drop-in centre provides support and resources for parents and carers with young children from birth to six years old. It offers:
Physical address: 1655 William Street 604-255-9841 604-255-9802 |
My Sister's Closet
The thrift store sells:
The store is open:
Main Street Store:
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Distro Disco
The Mobile Service provides homeless individuals with:
The service holds donation drives on the first Saturday of the month. All services are free and serve the Vancouver area. Email: distrodisco1312@gmail.com |
BCSPCA Charlie's Pet Food Bank
The organization offers a pet outreach program for:
Physical address:
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Bette's Boutique
The following text provides information about a organization that offers various resources to women and their families in the Downtown Eastside.
Key idea: The organization provides free access to various resources.
Physical address: 305 Main Street 778-809-5683 |
Abortion Rights Coalition of Canada (ARCC)
The Abortion Rights Coalition of Canada is a national organization that:
Call: 1-888-642-2725 (9AM-9PM Eastern) |
Voluntary Self-Exclusion Program
BCLC offers a self-exclusion program for individuals experiencing problems with gambling.
Service Location 2940 Virtual Way Call BCLC Customer Support at 1-866-815-0222 and press prompt '2' followed by '3' in the main menu to speak with a GameSense Advisor or to book an appointment at a BCLC office. Phone hours are 8 am to 12 midnight daily or use the live chat function on PlayNow.com from 7 am to 12 midnight daily (scroll to the bottom of the page to find it) |
The Vancouver Recovery Club
A 24-hour drop-in and referral center for recovering alcoholics and addicts ages 18 and older offers a range of services and amenities, including:
2775 Sophia Street 604-708-9955 604-708-9957 |
Gam-Anon - BC
Gam-Anon is a support group for individuals who are affected by someone else's gambling addiction. The group offers meetings both in-person and online. To find the nearest Gam-Anon meeting, you can call The Gambler's Anonymous hotline for more information.
Gambler's Anonymous 1-855-222-5542 |
Gambling Support Line BC
The Gambling Support BC website offers free, confidential, and multilingual information about gambling support and treatment options for those in BC. It provides recommendations for:
24-hour 1-888-795-6111 Text 2-1-1 604-660-9415 |
GameSense Information Centres
Consumer Services (7 am to 12 midnight daily) 1-866-815-0222 |
GamTalk
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SEED (Skills, Esteem and Employment Development) Program
The Kettle Society offers an employment program for people with mental health challenges. The program aims to provide support and low barrier employment placements within The Kettle Society to help participants develop the skills, confidence, and stamina needed to move from unemployment to stable employment prospects program hours are 9:30 am to 12 noon and 1 pm to 5 pm Monday to Thursday.
Service Location 1725 Venables Street 604-251-1126 604-251-6354 |
Engaged Communities Canada Society
The Lower Mainland community is supported by a program that focuses on closing systemic gaps for marginalized areas. The program provides a range of services to vulnerable communities, including those who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. These services include:
Physical address: 2889-495 West Georgia Street 778-223-6987 |
St Paul's Hospital Overdose Prevention Site
The overdose prevention site is located at St. Paul's Hospital and offers a range of services for inpatients and outpatients who use drugs. These services include:
Location 1081 Burrard St, Providence Building 604-682-2344 Local 63287 |
Connective
Connective is a community-based social services non-profit operating in BC and the Yukon. The organization provides a strong social safety net that addresses the needs of all who walk through our doors. They see a path forward for everyone, with opportunities to learn, grow, and develop—on their own terms and at their own pace. The goal is to assist individuals to achieve greater independence and navigate challenging social systems.
Resources Provided Include:
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Spikes on Bikes
The organization provides a community response to drug overdoses in Vancouver's Downtown Eastside, Gastown, and West End neighbourhoods using specially outfitted bicycles. Services include distributing clean needles and other harm reduction tools, as well as Take Home Naloxone Kits (Narcan) to reverse the effects of opioid overdoses. This organization operates in collaboration with the City of Vancouver and the Vancouver Coastal Health Authority (VCH).
DTES: 8am – 8pm 7 days a week West End:8am – 2pm Monday to Saturday Call for service. Downtown Eastside 604-202-3517 West End 604-317-1315 |
Harm Reduction Strategies and Services (HRSS)
The Harm Reduction Service Society (HRSS) aims to improve the health and well-being of individuals through various campaigns and programs. These include:
Phone number: 604-707-2400 |
Vancouver Aboriginal Health Society (VAHS)
The health care services offered at this center are focused on providing basic healthcare treatments and specialty services to urban Indigenous people and residents of the Downtown Eastside on a first-come, first-served basis. This includes:
Hours are 9 am to 12:30 pm and 1 pm to 5 pm Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays; 9 am to 12:30 pm and 1 pm to 8 pm Wednesdays; and 9 am to 3 pm Saturdays. Service Location 449 East Hastings Street 604-255-9766 604-254-5750 |
Virtual Substance Use and Psychiatry Service
Mental Health and Wellness Services:
Health and Wellness Provider Referral Line 1-833-456-7655 FNHA Virtual Doctor of the Day 1-855-344-3800 1-855-943-3354 |
Crystal Meth Anonymous - British Columbia - Methbusters
Crystal Meth Anonymous (CMA) Fellowship:
Hours of operation : Wednesday, 7:30 pm to 8:30 pm Phone Number : 1-855-638-4373 Eligibility : In-Person. LGBTQ. Open. Step Meeting. This meeting is open and anyone may attend. LOCATION Mole Hill Community Housing Society 1156 Jepson-Young Ln |
WISH - Mobile Access Project (MAP Van)
MAP Van Outreach Services:
Claimed : WISH Drop-In Centre Hours of operation : 10:30pm - 6:00am every day of the week/every day of the year Email : info@wishdropincentre.org Phone Number : 604-669-9474 LOCATION 334 Alexander St |
PHS - Culture Saves Lives
Cultural and Spiritual Care by PHS:
PROVIDER PROFILE Email : info@phs.ca Phone Number : 604-683-0073 LOCATION 9 E Hastings St |
Gathering Place - Art and Music Programs
The Gathering Place art and music programs are open to everyone with a current membership card and recreation pass.
Recreation passes cost: $1.00 for a monthly pass $5.00 for an annual pass PROVIDER PROFILE Phone Number : 604-665-2391 Eligibility : Everyone with a current membership card and recreation pass LOCATION 1065 Seymour St |
Carnegie Community Centre - Arts Program
Carnegie Centre's Belief in the Arts:
PROVIDER PROFILE Email : carnegie@vancouver.ca Phone Number : 604-665-3315 Eligibility : Homeless, underemployed and underhoused adults LOCATION 401 Main St |
DEWC - Cultural Programming
Cultural Programming at the Downtown Eastside Women's Centre:
PROVIDER PROFILE Email : cacoordinator@dewc.ca Phone Number : 604-681-8480 Eligibility : Women who access our centre. Wheelchair Accessible : yes LOCATION 302 Columbia St |
Sheway - Music Therapy
The Role of Music in Infant Communication:
Friday 10:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. Email : sheway.sheway@vch.ca Phone Number : 604-216-1699 LOCATION 533 E Hastings St |
BC - First Nations Health Authority - Vision Care Coverage
Eye Health Coverage by Health Benefits:
Email : HealthBenefits@fnha.ca Phone Number : 1-855-550-5454 |
National Overdose Response Service (NORS)
NORS (National Overdose Response Service) Program:
Available 24/7 Phone Number : 1-888-688-6677 |
Inclusive Housing Initiative
Through the Inclusive Housing Initiative, CLBC is fostering partnerships in the housing, community living, and broader public sectors to support the creation of more accessible and affordable housing.
Key to Home Program:
Inclusive Housing Plan:
Contact Information: Email: CLBCinfo@gov.bc.ca Phone: 1-877-660-2522 |
PHS - Mobile Needle Exchange
PHS Mobile Needle Exchange:
PROVIDER PROFILE Email : needlevan@phs.ca Phone Number : 1-604-657-6561 Eligibility : Anyone requiring harm reduction supplies and services |
Vancouver Association for Survivors of Torture
Background of Vancouver Association for Survivors of Torture (VAST):
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WorkBC Employment and Training Services
WorkBC team members provide assistance to help individuals find and maintain employment. Whether you are a parent, youth, teacher, career and employment counsellor, human resources professional, researcher or decision-maker, WorkBC’s tools, resources and services can benefit you. The program is in collaboration with the Open Door Group.
Services and resources include:
Who is the Program For?
Phone: 604-334-6372 Contact information |
Hope to Health Research and Innovation Centre
The Hope to Health Research & Innovation Centre (R&I):
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Aboriginal Wellness Program
Therapeutic Health and Wellness practices:
Contact: 604-675-2551 or aboriginalwellnessprogram@vch.ca |
Repair Cafe
The Repair Cafe offers free repairs for small appliances, electronics, and clothing. The goal of the Cafe is to reduce waste, boost sustainability, and avoid costly replacements.
Details:
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reBOOT Canada
reBOOT Canada provides computer equipment, training, and technical support to charities, non-profits, and people with limited access to technology.
Current Programs in Vancouver:
Contact Information: Phone: 416-534-6017 Email: info@rebootcanada.ca Online Message System available via https://www.rebootcanada.ca/contact/www.rebootcanada.ca/contact/ *Vancouver location is by appointment only* |
Working Gear
Working Gear provides free clothing to individuals who are in need of assistance and are entering the workforce in the Lower Mainland. They provide industry-appropriate clothing, from a suit for an interview to construction workwear, so individuals can find paid employment.
Details:
Location: #228-475 Main Street, Vancouver Contact Information:
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