Vancouver

The cycle of violence need not be passed on to the next generation; it can be stopped here. To interrupt this cycle requires both intervention and reconstruction phases. Helping Spirit Lodge Society is active in developing strategies which will confront the issues and determine which direction is to be taken. The organizations work is shaped by the belief that it is the Indigenous people who must set the agenda in providing solutions to problems that adversely affect them and their traditionally proud cultural inheritance.

The women, children and other clients have access to: First & Second Stage Transition Housing and Programming; Subsidized Housing; and Long Term/Permanent Housing Support (Journey Home Program). To support women moving through trauma the Helping Spirit Lodge Society provides therapeutic interventions including counselling, acupuncture and massage. This organization primarily seeks to help indigenous women and children but do not close its doors to others.


Journey Home: Provides a range of support services for male or female individuals and families to find and maintain permanent housing options with special focus on Urban Indigenous peoples who are Chronically or Episodically homeless.

Spirit Lodge Transition House: The first-stage transition house is a 10-bed transition house for Indigenous women and children fleeing domestic violence and abuse. Housing is provided for a maximum of 30 days.

Spirit Way Transition House: A 14-unit second-stage residential program that provides housing to Indigenous women and children fleeing domestic violence. Housing is provided up to 18 months with access to programs and services provided by HSLS, together with other partner organizations.

Bear Clan Family Outreach Team: Serves chronically and episodically homeless individuals in the Greater Vancouver area. The program connects clients to affordable housing and provides wrap-around services to ensure clients stay housed. The outreach team reach out to people who are sleeping outdoors and experiencing homelessness. The focus is on establishing supportive relationships as a first step in addressing an individual’s immediate health and safety needs.