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Please click the link below to view the At Home/Chez Soi Winter 2011 National Newsletter

Vancouver - MPA Society is excited to be recognized by HYDRECS, the BC Hydro Employees’ Community Services fund, and receive a $2000 contribution towards the purchase of outdoor equipment for our Adventure Therapy Program at Berman House.

Every year HYDRECS runs a province-wide fundraising campaign that encourages BC Hydro employees and retirees to donate to their favourite charity or selected Special Projects.

The money raised goes to the HYDRECS fund, a charitable trust that helps B.C.-based charities undertake and complete health and social service projects that support their community. Every dollar received by HYDRECS is passed along to the charities. 

“We know that 20% of all Canadians, regardless of age, race, gender, cultural background, or economic status will experience a mental illness at some point in their life.  We are grateful to the employees of BC Hydro for supporting MPA Society and supporting people recovering from mental health challenges,” said David MacIntyre, Executive Director of MPA Society.

Berman House, located in East Vancouver, provides residency to individuals with co-occurring mental health and addiction issues. It is part of the Licensed Housing portfolio of MPA Society.  Berman House, a nationally recognized award-winning program, provides a successful and compassionate atmosphere of recovery from mental health and addiction issues.  The Adventure Therapy Program utilizes an approach based on the well documented method of replacing the “high” produced with illicit drug use with the natural endorphins produced by the body, occurring during sustained and exhilarating physical activity.  Skills acquired during the Adventure Therapy Program are recognized as being portable and life-long, as the participants can continue to use the assets developed from the program after they have transitioned into more independent living environments.

“We’re excited to support MPA through the 2010 Community Growth fund. We hope the funding provided by BC Hydro employees will allow MPA to continue to provide quality community mental health care across the lower mainland.” Sherry Ernst, HYDRECS Chair.

MPA Society is an award winning, non-profit service agency, which has supported people living with severe and persistent mental health and addictions issues, for 40 years.  Our Mission is “to inspire hope and facilitate recovery for individuals recovering from mental health challenges” and our Philosophy is “recovery from mental illness is possible through empowerment, autonomy, responsibility and peer support.”

Media Contacts:

David MacIntyre, Executive Director

MPA Society

604.482.3720

HYDRECS Fund Office, BC Hydro

Edna Alle

604.623.3617

VANCOUVER – The Province and City of Vancouver reached a project milestone today in their partnership to help end homelessness as Rich Coleman, Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General and Minister Responsible for Housing and Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson broke ground on the seventh supportive housing development in the city.

Located at 1601 West 7th Ave. in Vancouver, this $22.5 million, 62-unit project is part of an agreement to create 1,575 new supportive housing units on 14 City-owned sites, with 570 of those expected to be open by the end of 2011.

“This is a watershed moment in our commitment to build housing that is accessible and meaningful for people in Vancouver who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless,” said Coleman. “Housing projects require time for sound planning, and we’re pleased to have half of our 14 projects now under construction. We look forward to these facilities opening and seeing people begin new lives in the community.”

The Province will provide a $1 million grant, a mortgage of $15.6 million, and a $763,276 grant for an on-site client resource centre. The City of Vancouver will provide land equity valued at $3.4 million as well as municipal and regional levy reductions of $351,403.

“Building new affordable housing for people who are homeless in Vancouver is critical to achieving our goal of ending street homelessness by 2015,” said Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson. “In the past two years, we have made incredible progress on homelessness, whether it is opening new shelters throughout Vancouver or starting construction on more than 1,500 units of new supportive housing. The partnerships between the City and the Province are making a real difference in people’s lives.”

L to R - Lorna Howes, John McLernon, Minister Margaret MacDiarmid, Minister Rich Coleman, Mayor Gregor Robertson, Dane Jansen, David MacIntyre

This is also the first site to break ground under a partnership between the Province and Streetohome Foundation. Through this agreement, Streetohome Foundation will provide $20 million toward the development of supportive housing on eight of the 14 city-owned sites.

“Streetohome’s focus is to break the cycle of homelessness through prevention, creating new supportive housing, and improving quality of life for those in need,” said John McLernon, board chair of Streetohome Foundation. “Since 2008, we have committed more than $22.1 million to projects and programs in Vancouver and we are striving to make more advances with every opportunity we are given.”

Once complete, the nine-storey building will provide 62 apartments with integrated support services for individuals who are at risk of homelessness. The Province will provide operational funding for the residential portion of the building. Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH) will provide additional funding to offer supports for 30 residents with mental health issues in an “enhanced” supported housing program. In addition, VCH will fund the operations, which include a capital contribution for the client resource centre.

“Integrating support services for tenants and resource centre clients in a safe environment where primary needs of shelter and nutrition are met is the key to helping those at risk of homelessness,” said Lorna Howes, director of mental health, addiction and housing, Vancouver Coastal Health. “We are pleased to be working with the MPA Society and Katherine Sanford Housing Society to bring these much needed services to the community.”

The building will be managed and operated by Katherine Sanford Housing Society in partnership with MPA Society who will provide support services for residents. The client resource centre located on the first and second floors will provide services for mental health clients and will be operated by the MPA Society.

“An important component of a healthy community is appropriate housing for everyone, regardless of social status,” said Bonnie Rice, executive director, Katherine Sanford Housing Society. “The addition of this building in Vancouver is vital because it provides safe and affordable housing for people who need additional supports to gain back their self-confidence and find stability and well-being.

“Our mission speaks to providing resources that enhance the quality of life for people living with mental illness, by offering community involvement, advocacy and support,” said David MacIntyre, executive director, MPA Society. “We look forward to our new resource centre and working with Katherine Sanford Housing Society in supporting the residents and providing them with the support they need.”

MPA Society Executive Director, David MacIntyre

Combined, the 1,575 new supportive housing units that will be built under the Vancouver partnership represent a capital investment of more than $330 million. The City of Vancouver contributed 14 parcels of land valued at $64 million as well as levy reductions to the partner housing project.

In 2010-11, the Province will invest over $562 million to provide affordable housing and fight homelessness – more than four times as much as in 2001.

‘Breaking the Cycle of Homelessness’ is a website providing a comprehensive and detailed look at provincial programs and services to address homelessness. Visit www.bchousing.org/breakingthecycle for more information.

BACKGROUNDER – 1601 WEST 7TH AVENUE

Katherine Sanford Housing Society’s development, located at 1601 West 7th Ave. in Vancouver, will provide 62 apartments with support services for individuals who are at risk of homelessness. In addition, a client resource centre to be operated by MPA Society will be located on the first and second floors.

The new nine-storey building also includes amenity and support services space. The building is designed to Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold standards.

PARTNERS AND FUNDING:

The total capital cost of this development is estimated at $22,566,802.

• The Province will provide a mortgage of $15,574,383 for the development of the building and a $1,000,000 grant. In addition, the Province will provide a grant $763,276 for the client resource centre.


• The City of Vancouver will provide land equity valued at $3.4 million and will provide municipal and regional levy reductions of $351,403.

Streetohome Foundation will provide $20 million toward the development of supportive housing on eight of the 14 city-owned sites

Operational funding:

• The Province will be providing operational funding for the residential portion of the building.


• Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH) will provide operational funding to provide supports for 30 residents with mental health issues in an “enhanced” supported housing program that involves additional supports including one meal daily, medication management services. In addition, VCH will fund the operations which include a capital contribution for the client resource centre.

Streetohome Foundation

Streetohome Foundation takes a systematic approach to addressing both homelessness and its root causes. The foundation brings together people from all sectors of our community – business, non-profits, government, and citizens – to find and implement real solutions.

Katherine Sanford Housing Society

Established in 1989, Katherine Sanford Housing Society is a registered charitable organization. The society’s role is to develop and manage innovative, efficient, and cost-effective housing for low-income individuals and people with mental illness and/or addictions. Katherine Sanford Housing Society has developed 16 licensed community residences and three supported apartment projects in Vancouver and Richmond over the past 21 years. The society believes that all individuals have a right to decent, affordable housing that gives them dignity and independence.

MPA Society

MPA Society is a non-profit and registered charitable organization founded in 1971 by people experiencing the debilitating effects of mental illness and their supporters. The MPA Society with its long-established history is a recognized leader in community mental health service program delivery and has been a proud member of the Kitsilano, Vancouver, Maple Ridge and Surrey communities for over 36 years.

Media Contacts:

Rhonda Nguyen

BC Housing

604 439-4740

City of Vancouver

Media Line

604 871-6336



Nicole Adams

Streetohome Foundation

604 629-2711 x103

Fraser Health in partnership with the Health Authorities Shared Services Organization, Tri-Cities Mental Health and Addictions Team and Metro Vancouver Housing Corporation has awarded the Meridian Village contract to MPA Society.  Located in Port Coquitlam, the Meridian Village Enhanced Supported Housing program will provide housing, supports and services for 30 individuals. This creative and newly developed enhanced supported housing program will provide support and services to both those living at Meridian Village apartment complex and those identified individuals living in the community. 

MPA Society recognizes that through understanding and implementing the principles of Psychosocial Rehabilitation and Recovery, an environment of trust, respect, dignity and self-direction we can support people on their path to recovery from mental health challenges. This new enhanced supportive housing program fills a gap in services currently available to people living with mental health challenges and provides an alternative model that will promote independence, self-confidence and healthy living. 

The Meridian Village Enhanced Supported Housing  program, scheduled to begin services on December 1^st, 2010, will be structured to support program participants in achieving health and wellness through participation in community, educational, recreational and vocational programming both on-site and in the community.  

As a future focused health organization, MPA Society is excited to expand on our partnerships with Fraser Health and the Health Authorities Shared Services Organization, Tri-Cities Mental Health and Addictions Team and Vancouver Metro Housing Corporation.

BURNABY – Fraser Health has awarded a contract to Motivation, Power & Achievement (MPA) Society to operate an enhanced supported housing program in Hall Towers, a Burnaby apartment complex managed by BC Housing. The new enhanced program will provide on-site support 24 hours per day, 7 days per week for 30 individuals living with serious and persistent mental illness, including a meal program and support to individuals requiring medication supervision.

 Previously, a support worker provided on-site support for up to 7.5 hours per day, seven days per week for mental health clients living at Hall Towers. 

“This new program is an important addition to the network of services currently available to mental health clients in Burnaby and New Westminster,” said Kevin Falcon, Minister of Health Services. “Clients in these communities will benefit from having access to this higher level of care close to home.” 

 The 19 clients currently being served by the program will remain at Hall Towers and benefit from the new enhanced level of care. New clients will be referred to the program through Burnaby Mental Health and Addiction Services with referrals predominately coming from Burnaby and New Westminster, but available to all people living within the Fraser Health catchment area. The program has the capacity to support 30 clients. 

“We know that, when possible, mental health clients prefer to live in more independent care settings where they can be more in control of their lives and the illnesses affecting them,” said Lois Dixon, Executive Director of Fraser Health’s Mental Health and Addictions Services.

 “This new enhanced supportive housing program fills a gap in services currently available to mental health clients in Burnaby and New Westminster and provides an alternative residential model for some individuals who would otherwise require a 24 hour licensed care facility.”

 Fraser Health issued an RFP for the enhanced service earlier this year and the $350,000 annual contract was awarded to MPA Society in July.

 MPA Society is a non-profit organization, founded in 1971, with a mission “to inspire hope and recovery for individuals with mental health issues.” MPA operates social, vocational, recreational and housing programs that support people in their own communities. MPA Society has developed a continuum of supported housing options. Depending on resident needs, staffing levels and support, services range from on-site staff, 24 hours a day, to supported independent living programs. MPA houses over 400 people in 17 locations throughout Vancouver, and two locations in Maple Ridge in addition to over 300 market rental apartments.

 The service provided by MPA Society at Hall Towers will be structured to help program participants maintain physical and emotional health, participate in community therapeutic and rehabilitative programs, assist with educational and employment opportunities, and sustain healthy relationships.

 “MPA Society is glad for the opportunity to partner with Fraser Health and BC Housing towards ensuring appropriate support and services are in place, so that people with mental health challenges can work towards recovery in their own homes,” said David MacIntyre, Executive Director of MPA Society.

Fraser Health provides a wide range of integrated health services to the largest and fastest growing population in B.C. The health authority is committed to improving the health of the population and the quality of life of more than 1.6 million people living in communities from Burnaby to White Rock to Hope.



 

For media inquiries, please contact:

Fraser Health Media Pager

604-450-7881

www.fraserhealth.ca

Please click on the link below to view the Summer 2010 Issue of the Vancouver At Home/Chez Soi newsletter.

On June 24^th, 2010 MPA Society held its 39^th Annual General Meeting. The meeting was attended by approximately 150 people, with the following resolutions being passed:

1. That Grant Thornton LLP be appointed as our auditing firm for the 2010/11 fiscal year; and




2. That the Executive Director is authorized for and on behalf of the Society, to arrange to borrow funds from a bank or credit union for the purposes of the Society generally, on the security of any real and personal property of the Society and to provide, for and on behalf of the Society, such security on any real and personal property of the Society as may be required to complete the financing. This resolution will expire on June 25, 2011.

The Members also ratified the following individuals to the Board of Directors: Ron Byron, Chris Earle, Chris Heminsley, George Hungerford and Anita Smith. They will join returning Directors: John Gunn, Leitizia Lorello, Gillian Reid and Laura Taylor.

Welcome to all the Directors, new and returning and thank you for volunteering your time on behalf of MPA Society!

BACK ROW (Left to Right) – Ron Byron, John Gunn, Chris Earle, Laura Williams Taylor, Chris Heminsley, David MacIntyre

FRONT ROW (Left to Right) – Anita Smith, Gillian Reid, Leitizia Lorello
Missing from picture - George Hungerford

Please click on the pdf below to view the June 2010 Quarterly National newsletter

On June 14, 2010, the inaugural MPA Society Award of Distinction in Psychosocial Rehabilitation was granted to two Douglas College graduates: Tamara Froggett, in the Health Care Support Worker program and Igor Pekarsky, in the Community Mental Health Worker program. The award of $1,000 is provided annually to two students in mental health studies at Douglas College, who achieve a minimum 3.0 GPA and demonstrate a superior understanding and ability to implement the principles of psychosocial rehabilitation (PSR).

This year, eleven students completed for the award.

Upon receiving the recognition, Ms. Froggett comments that she is grateful for the exposure she has received to PSR, as this has truly influenced her approach and way of thinking, as she supports people recovering from mental illness. She explains that she came from Ontario and where she worked, people did not practice PSR. She states,

"MPA Society is amazing in their practice of PSR. There is tremendous value in approaching each person as a unique individual and supporting them in a patient, encouraging way, that allows them to achieve their goals towards recovery."

Mr. Pekarsky notes that he is especially appreciative to be recognized for something he truly believes in - PSR. He states,

"I have seen the quality of life improvements that people recovering from mental illness can achieve with this approach. It facilitates an ability to have hope and dream." 

MPA Society created this Award of Distinction because of the organization's strong belief that recovery from mental illness is achievable through empowerment, autonomy, responsibility and peer support. The Society identified the award as one way to impart our values and approach to a new group of professionals who have the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of individuals and in the field of mental health recovery.

 Nick Blackman, MPA Society' Director of Licensed Housing, noted in his comments MPA Society's appreciation to Douglas College for supporting the relationship we have with their mental health programs and to all the students who applied for the award. He emphasized how challenging the decision was, as all the applicants demonstrated a solid understanding of and appreciation for PSR.

Also joining the award ceremony was Sylvia Wilson, Douglas College's Interim Dean of Health Sciences. Ms. Wilson states she appreciates the support for students and is "grateful for the relationship we have with MPA Society. As a community partners, the Society has a wealth of knowledge and experience that has the potential to greatly benefit our students. The creation of the MPA Award of Distinction will inspire our students and positively influence the mental health workers graduating from Douglas College."

Congratulations to all the graduates and especially to the 2010 award recipients, Tamara Froggett and Igor Pekarsky.