About Us
Vision
A community of wellness for everyone.
Values
Compassion * Connection * Collaboration * Belonging * Respect * Resilience * Recovery
Mission
Forward House walks alongside community members to nurture mental wellness and addiction recovery through creative programs, relevant education, and dynamic community partnerships.
Forward House:
Provides programming and supports to adults living in Parksville, Qualicum Beach or the surrounding area, who are experiencing mental health and/or addiction recovery challenges.
Enhances social, vocational, and independent life skills.
Provides community education around mental health and addiction recovery in order to promote healthy support systems and community inclusion.
Creates partnerships with community stakeholders and liaises with health and education providers to promote mental wellness and addiction recovery.
Note: Parksville, Qualicum Beach and the surrounding area includes communities from Nanoose (south end) to Bowser (north end) and west to Errington, Coombs, and Whiskey Creek.
Our Goals
To enrich the lives of clients through the provision of stable, effective, and creative programming for persons living with mental health challenges, substance use and/or concurrent challenges
To create internal structures and processes that support a resilient, dynamic, safe, and attractive work environment for employees.
To sustain the long-term stability of Forward House with a diversity of funding sources
To enhance the position of Forward House in the community
To plan and develop infrastructure to support growth of Forward house, it’s employees, it’s volunteers, and its board.
“It’s so important to be positive. Negative thoughts darken your soul. We accept each other with our hearts open to understanding and finding the positives in others. We do not engage in pointing, blaming, or judging. We work through things together.”
Our Story
In 1982, we established a crisis line for people in Mid-Vancouver Island. What started off as a seed of hope for a few people over 30 years ago has flourished into Forward House - one of Vancouver Island’s best psychosocial rehabilitation programs for people living with mental health challenges.
In 2001, we became a registered charity and moved into our own house on Jensen Avenue. After outgrowing this location in 2014, we moved into our lovely blue home at 136 East Hirst Avenue.
From 2014 onward, our Forward House family has expanded significantly. Our clients range from those who are struggling to survive to individuals who are volunteering, attending university, and working in our community. Our team of staff, volunteers, practicum students and Board of Directors serves more than 80 registered clients as well as many drop-ins at our Parksville location.
In March 2018, we were greatly honoured to receive the 2017 ‘Not-For-Profit of the Year’ Award from the Parksville & District Chamber of Commerce at their Business Achievement Awards ceremony.
In April 2018, we were pleased to announce the ‘Forward House Fridays’ program at Qualicum Commons in beautiful Qualicum Beach. This satellite location offers outreach for potential clients who cannot travel to our house in Parksville.
In November 2018, we started delivering the Oceanside Outreach Program in partnership with Island Crisis Care Society. Funding was initially provided by the Community Action Initiative, the Ministry of Mental Health & Addiction and the Overdose Emergency Response Centre. This was our first opportunity to employ outreach workers and peer support workers delivering services on the streets of Oceanside.
In April 2019, we expanded our ‘Qualicum Beach Outreach’ program to two days: Thursdays at St. Stephen’s Church and Fridays at Qualicum Commons. This was made possible through generous community donations.
In September 2019, we engaged a full-time outreach worker with help from peer support workers through funding from BC Housing in partnership with the SOS. Although this funding ended in April 2020, Forward House has been able to continue outreach services in Oceanside on a part-time basis.
In March 2020, we had to rethink our service delivery model due to the COVID-19 pandemic. We rose to the challenge of providing community support in a safe and meaningful way that adheres to social distancing practices while helping people to continue to connect with each other at a time of increased isolation. Our staff worked together creatively to achieve a “new normal” that celebrates the strength and resilience of the human spirit. Thanks to the United Way Central and Northern Vancouver Island and the Parksville Qualicum Community Foundation for their support during this difficult time.
In September 2020, we opened another satellite location in Nanoose Bay. Thanks to Island Health, the Parksville-Qualicum Community Foundation, Mid-Island Co-Op and Nanoose Community Services for their generous support with this project. In the same month, we also started our Recovery Program that supports adults wanting support in their addiction recovery journeys. This Program was originally funded by the United Way Central & Northern Vancouver Island and BC Housing in partnership with the SOS.
In June 2022, we opened a second Forward House location in Parksville. The ‘Forward Recovery Centre’ provides a supportive space for adults who are on their personal addiction recovery journeys. We continue to walk alongside community members, providing free 1:1 recovery coaching and support groups, while helping clients navigate the healthcare system in a welcoming and culturally safe space. Thanks to Island Health, the 100+ Women Who Care Oceanside, the Rotary Club of Parksville, and many other community organizations and individuals who have made this opportunity possible.