Coast Foundation Society was initially sponsored by BC Teachers Federation through the federally funded Local Initiatives Program. Its Certificate of Incorporation under the Societies Act was signed July 10, 1972.
The drop-in facility was an old farm house located between Fraser Street and St. Catherines Street, along East 18th Avenue, Vancouver.
“Ruby” the bus was used to transport ex-patients to community services, such as the Coast Mental Health drop-in centre. In the 70s, this was the only way for people living in boarding homes to access community services.
Sheraton Apartments opened in September 1974. This building was demolished in 1996 and replaced by a new 31-unit apartment building that opened in 1997. The new building was renamed Hooper Apartments, after Jackie Hooper, one of the founders of Coast Mental Health.
Clark Apartments was the first housing development designed and built by Coast Mental Health. It was also BC’s first purpose-built apartment for people living with mental illness.
The Coastview Apartments opened in 1979, and in 2009 transitioned to provide supportive housing for seniors interested in more independent living. This housing model offers a meal program, laundry, light housekeeping, and a medication program.
These houses were the first four boarding homes, now called community homes, that were purchased by Coast Mental Health during the real estate bubble in the 80s.
Opened in 1981, the China Creek Apartments is a 4-story building where tenants share a wide range of vocational experience and interests.
In 1981, Coast Mental Health administration and Activities Centre move to 295 East 11th Avenue, Vancouver, B.C. This was made possible through a capital funding campaign to purchase the building for the current Clubhouse and offices.
In 1982, Coast formally changes the Activities Centre to a membership-run clubhouse model. This initiative receives significant funding through the Greater Vancouver Mental Health Services’ Resocialization and Reintegration Program.
Coast participates in a federal initiative called the Participation Action Counselling Training (PACT), which became the first in Canada outreach employment centre for people living with mental health challenges. This program continued for many years independent of the Clubhouse and offered job seekers career exploration, transition to education, job search skills training and a job club.
Opened in 1986, the Mclean Apartments provides 25 homes to support individuals with severe and persistent mental illness throughout Vancouver. The housing program features weekly dinners, coffee hours, music programs, and creative writing programs.
Ananda Community Home (20 homes) was the first “Purpose built” licensed community home in BC. Prior to this housing model, many facilities, including Coast Mental Health’s buildings had two, three, or even four people sharing rooms. In 1990, Ananda House was the first facility to incorporate the Recovery and Rehabilitation Program, previously known as Riverview’s Continuing Treatment Program.
Darrell Burnham joins Coast Mental Health as the Chief Executive Officer on June 1, 1987. He celebrates 35 years of community service in 2022. During his tenure, Darrell has successfully conceived, funded, and implemented over 20 housing development projects, and established much needed housing supports and employment services for people living with mental health challenges.
In 1989, Frances Court (34 homes) opened as a new “state of the art” supported housing site. Most of the units are one-bedroom units, and features an internal courtyard. At the time, it was the largest facility operated by Coast Mental Health.
Champlain House opened in 1992 for seniors age 55+. Funding is provided by Vancouver Coastal Health and clients are referred through its Mental Health Housing Services program. This is a licensed facility that follows the Community Care and Assisted Living Act’s Residential Care Regulation and Standards of Practice.
Coast Mental Health’s drop-in centre on Richards Street opens to reach members in the West End and Downtown south communities. In 1997 the Centre is temporarily moved, while a new location is considered. In 1998, a Drop-in Capital Campaign raises the funds to begin construction on the Resource Centre which provides many supports to vulnerable populations living in the downtown core.
Hydrecs Housing provides 9 beds for more independent living. This housing was made possible by BC Hydro’s employee fundraising campaign and funding from BC Housing’s Community Fund. At the time, the building was designed with state-of-the-art energy efficient services that were provided by BC Hydro.
St. Margaret’s Apartments provides 20 homes for people interested in living more independently. The building is part of a complex that also includes St. Margaret’s church and a pre-school. Its programs include year-round gardening, weekly dinners and coffee hours and holiday dinners.
Partner in Hope fundraising campaign is launched to save the Employment Program, as federal government funding was no longer available. These efforts launched the Vocational Rehabilitation Services Employment Placement Services Program in 1996.
Hooper Apartments is a 31-unit facility located in the West End in Vancouver. This housing was rebuilt in 1997 and renamed after Jackie Hooper, a founding member of Coast Mental Health.
Drop-in Capital Campaign raises funds to support the construction of Coast Mental Health’s Resource Centre at 1221 Seymour Street, Vancouver.
Coast launched an innovative Discretionary Trust Management Program to protect the assets of individuals with disabilities, The Trust Program is still one of only two such programs in the province.
The inaugural (1999) Courage To Come Back Awards honours five British Columbians who have overcome adversity to give back to their communities. Now in its twenty-fourth year, this signature annual event raises both funds and awareness in support of the transformative services and programs of Coast Mental Health.
Coast Mental Health Foundation is established in 2001 to raise public awareness and resources to promote recovery and transform the lives of people with mental illness through exceptional and innovative community-based services. The Foundation plays a key role in raising funds to support Coast’s mission. These funds provide the flexibility to pilot new programs, such as the Young Adults Program, Peer Support Training Program and Cognitive Rehabilitation Program.
The Transitional Cottage (CTC) Program, funded by Provincial Health Services Authority, opened on the Riverview grounds in 2003. In collaboration with PHSA’s BC Mental Health and Substance Use Services (BCMHUS), our program provides psychosocial rehabilitation, clinical assessment, treatment, counselling and support to clients who are re-integrating into the community from the Forensic Psychiatric Hospital. We provide support for 42 clients in our nine cottages and two modular units, and outreach support to clients in semi-independent living apartments located in Coquitlam. The CTC program is a one-of-a-kind forensic community-based recovery program providing support and continuous care to clients. This partnership between BCMHUS and CTC Program was recognized in 2011 with an award of Merit for Collaborative Solutions at the Excellence in BC Health Care Awards ceremony.
Coast Social Enterprise provides training and develops businesses that reduce stigma and facilitate social connections, enabling people with mental illnesses to take on meaningful roles and progress towards recovery. We launched our first social enterprise in 2005, beginning with the Landscaping With Heart, which continues to thrive today. Members are also invited to join our Young Adults Culinary Training Program, which includes job training at the Social Crust Café/Catering located in the financial district of downtown Vancouver. Additionally, we have the Transitional Employment Program (TEP) operated at Coast Mental Health’s Clubhouse. The TEP includes: Street Clean Teams, Landscaping With Heart, plus other employment opportunities for Clubhouse members.
In 2006, Watson House is established in the West End, Vancouver. This is considered an enhanced supported housing facility to support people who require assistance with an early diagnosis of a mental illness disorder. We offer a two-year life skills program that focuses on substance-free living and psycho-social rehabilitation.
St. Helens Apartments, located on Granville Street, Vancouver, is a single room occupancy hotel opened and operated by Atira Management Properties. In 2007, Coast Mental Health was contracted to provide mental health and harm reduction services to support tenants, many of whom are young adults. In Feb 2022, we ended our contract at this facility.
Doug Story is a 29-storey building that includes 45 affordable rental properties that are operated by Coast Mental Health. This building was opened in 2008. In exchange for a density bonus from the City of Vancouver, Millennium Robson Properties Ltd. preserved the number of affordable rental properties at this location. The new building was designed with suites that included a kitchen and bathroom. This was the first of its kind in Vancouver, and in 2010 the developer received recognition for best practices in affordable housing by the Canada Mortgage Housing Corporation. The building is named in memory of Doug Story, a man who struggled with homelessness for many years in this community. Coast was able to find housing for Mr. Story, but sadly he passed away before arrangements could be completed.
Coastview Apartment (32 homes) provides supportive housing specifically targeted for seniors ages 55-plus. In 2009, the building was renovated and accessibility enhanced. Residents are provided a meal program, laundry facilities and light housekeeping services, as well as medication administration program.
Forglen House is our first and only site in Burnaby. This property was established in 2009 and provides 10 homes with residential care to seniors (age 55+) . Forglen House clients are referred through the North Team of Burnaby Mental Health & Addictions Services.
The Adult Peer Program is a community service operated out of Coast Mental Health’s Resource Centre. This program was established in 2009 and aims to connect individuals with other people who have direct experience receiving mental health services. This is a peer-to-peer based program to support adults with mental illness and/or substance use issues. The program is made available through the generosity of the Foundation’s donors.
In conjunction with Millennium Robson Development, Coast Mental Health received the Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation “Best Practices In Affordable Housing” award for the Doug Story Residences located in Vancouver. Doug Story Apartments is part of a shared complex that opened in 2010. The developer acquired and demolished the single room occupancy hotel in order to build a 29-storey condo tower. In exchange for a density bonus from the City of Vancouver, Millennium Robson Properties Ltd. preserved the number of low-rent housing units, thus creating the six-storey Doug Story Apartments. Each suite includes its own kitchen and bathroom. At the time, this model was a first of its kind housing development in Vancouver.
Timber Grove Apartments is Coast Mental Health’s first housing with supports program in Surrey. This unique building was originally constructed as athletes’ housing in Whistler for the 2010 Winter Olympics. After the games, the modular building was dismantled and moved to Surrey for the specific purpose of creating housing for people in recovery from mental illness. In 2011, the building received an Award of Distinction from the Modular Building Institute. We share this honour with BC Housing, Fraser Health, and the City of Surrey.
Commercial Drive Apartments is located on the east side of Vancouver. This building was originally a run down commercial market apartment block that was purchased and renovated to support 18 clients living with mental illness. We used both Federal and Provincial funding to update and improve the building.
Pacific Coast Apartments (PCA) is one of 14 sites built as part of a memorandum of understanding between the provincial government and the City of Vancouver, whereby the City contributed the land and the Province provided the capital funding. Coast Mental Health was selected as the operator for this site with 96 units of supported housing. Fourteen units are dedicated to youth with mental illnesses who are part of Providence Health Care’s Inner-City Youth program. An additional 25 units are allocated to Vancouver Coastal Health’s STOP HIV/AIDS program. The remaining 57 units come from referrals through BC Housing’s supportive housing registry. Coast’s Young Adult Culinary Training Program is located at PCA and there is some crossover between the program and clients. The students share the building’s common space and prepare meals for the clients using the industrial kitchen. In 2014, the social enterprise, Social Crust Café and Catering was rebranded and positioned as a retail space. Our ability to create synergies between programs at this site allowed us to provide life changing employment opportunities to clients.
Dunbar Apartments, a 51-unit property, was built as part of a memorandum of understanding between the provincial government and the City of Vancouver, whereby the City contributed the land and the Province provided the capital funding. Coast Mental Health was selected as the operator of this site and opened the facility in 2011. Clients are referred from four different sources: Vancouver Coastal Health’s Mental Health and Addictions Housing Services program, BC Housing’s supported housing registry, Jewish Family Services Society; and St. George’s Services Society. This facility provides a meal program, medication administration and around-the-clock 365-days-a-year staff access and mental health supports.
Renfrew House Youth Program (8 homes) is located in a quiet east Vancouver neighbourhood. In 2014, Renfrew House opened as one of the first community homes to offer services exclusively to youth. Clients are young adults ages 19 to 24 who were experiencing homelessness or precariously housed; the program provides comprehensive mental health and addictions services and is focused on supporting clients who require a therapeutic environment to assist with their recovery.
In 2014, the Recovery & Rehabilitation Program was established on səmiq̓wəʔelə (pronounced Suh-MEE-kwuh-EL-uh), formally known as Riverview Lands. This 40-bed facility offers co-current psychiatric, substance use and physical health treatment combined with recovery and psychosocial approaches. Referral sources include Burnaby Centre for Mental Health & Addictions and Heartwood Centre.
In 2014, the Young Adult Peer Support Program is developed by Coast Mental Health. Thanks to donor support, we were the first to develop and roll out an exciting new curriculum customized for the unique needs of young people living with mental illness. To date, we’re aware of at least ten communities throughout British Columbia that have adopted our model to make a difference in their own communities. This program is made available through the generosity of donors to the Foundation.
In 2017, Storeys Apartments., Richmond, opens in partnership with three levels of government and five non-profits: Coast Mental Health, Pathways Clubhouse, S.U.C.C.E.S.S., Tikva Housing Society and Turning Point Recovery Society. This was a first of its kind partnership that engaged both government and a consortium of non-profits. The apartment building located in the shopping district of Richmond provides 129 homes to vulnerable populations. Coast Mental Health operates 48 homes (38 units + 10 rent subsidies) in this facility, providing a meal program, medication administration and 24-hours-a-day/7-days-a-week mental health supports. Integra Architecture Inc. received the 2018 Canadian Institute of Planners – Social Planning Award for Planning Excellence for this building.
Cognitive Rehabilitation program was developed at Coast Mental Health – the first of its kind in the province. This Program offers clients a combination of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectal Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Cognitive Remediation, and outdoor activities to support people in recovery. Cognitive Rehabilitation assist with building a variety of skills: social, problem solving, medication adherence, and overall functioning in people who struggle with mental illness. More recently, a virtual component to the program has been added – Cognitive Remediation Program, or what we like to call Virtual Brain Training. With the support of donors, we aim to expand this virtual program to reach more people in need.
In 2018, Coast Mental Health took over the operations of Alouette Heights located in Maple Ridge. At the time, there was a serious homelessness issue in this community and Coast was invited to operate a transitional housing facility to support vulnerable populations. Alouette Heights is staffed 24-hours-a-day /7-days-a-week with community mental health workers, front desk attendants, outreach workers, nursing staff available 5 days per week and a manager.
In 2018 Journeys community home was renovated and purchased by Coast Mental Health. This is a 24-hour licensed community home that is located in a quiet East Vancouver neighbourhood. It offers services to 10 co-ed clients with mental health issues. Tenants living at this facility have expressed a desire to make changes in their lives and to focus on their growth and recovery over a two-year period. It is a limited time program, with an emphasis on building life skills to support more independent living.
Ten acres of land is purchased for Nair Place Community Home, which opened in 2018. In partnership with Fraser Health, this housing model provides residential care to people who once resided at the hospital on səmiq̓wəʔelə (formally known as Riverview Lands). People living at this location have complex mental health issues and require 24-hours-a-day / 7-days-a-week supports.
Te cecew modular housing, Mount Pleasant, Vancouver, provided 48 homes and supports to tenants with complex care needs. At the time, it was Coast Mental Health’s first temporary modular housing development. In 2021, the lease expired for this property and the facility was closed. Tenants were relocated to other homes, including Burnham Place, which opened during this time in partnership with three levels of government: Government of Canada, B.C. Government and the City of Vancouver.
In 2018, the Clubhouse established the Street Clean Team program, which to this day, continues to expand and receive significant grants from the City of Vancouver to support community-based employment services at Coast Mental Health. The Street Clean Team is part of the Transitional Employment Program (TEP) operated from Coast’s Clubhouse. Members re-enter the workforce with support from Clubhouse staff who are certified employment counselors. Once members have completed their TEP contracts, they may start another TEP placement or seek independent employment or training equipped with a recent work reference. The Street Clean Team is used by some 20 local businesses and organizations, and it’s one of Coast’s most successful TEPs.
The Clubhouse establishes the Young Adult Program, catering to youth ages 19 to 35 years old. The program is designed to provide a supportive community to its members while they build on life skills, discover vocational opportunities in the community and enjoy social activities. This program is made available through the Foundation’s generous donors. Participants of this program are also members of the Coast Clubhouse and are encouraged to participate in regular Clubhouse activities including meals, volunteer work and our Transitional Employment Program.
During the pandemic, Coast Mental Health kept its doors open at both the Clubhouse and Resource Centre. Safety plans were initiated so limited services could continue safely, as per the requirements of the provincial health and safety orders. Basic necessities such as food were essential at this time, so both sites offered a daily meal-to-go lunch program for members. These services provided vital community connections and supports for members who may have felt isolated and alone during the peak of the pandemic.
Coast Mental Health oversees 21 suites in a 49-unit building operated by Easter Seals housing facility located in Vancouver. These are transitional homes to assist people who are experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness. These transitional homes offer people a place to stay until more permanent housing can be determined through provincial housing and health agencies.
Burnham Place opens in early 2022. The building was named in honour of Darrell Burnham’s 35-years of community service, but also for his expertise, contributions and leadership as the long-standing CEO for Coast Mental Health. This 68-unit supportive housing facility is located across the street from Coast Mental Health’s head office and Clubhouse within the Mount Pleasant community. These homes assist people experiencing, or at risk of experiencing, homelessness.
Coast Eagle community home opened in the Killarney neighbourhood in November 2022. This 14-bed licensed-care facility is funded through Vancouver Coastal Health. Clients receive 24-hour support and monitoring including daily meals, weekly housekeeping, and medication management or assistance with medications. They also have access to volunteers, peer support workers, and social and recreational activities.
Coast Mental Health becomes the operator for the Community Resource HUB, which provides basic needs, including showers, hygiene products, clothing and warm meals. It helps people connect with community agencies for housing supports; health and mental health services; detox, treatment and recovery services; income assistance; haircuts; tax returns and more.