Petition to Save Watari's Wellness Centre
The Issue
#StandWithWatariWellness #WeStandWithWatari
Last year, Watari Counselling & Support Services Society directly supported more than 22,660 people of all ages, Nations & backgrounds.
Through wraparound support services & a holistic approach to wellness, Watari's dedicated team fills gaps with vital programs & essential service to improve the mental, physical, spiritual & emotional wellbeing of vulnerable people in Vancouver's DTES.
Demand has already increased 20% this year for our food & grocery programs, clothing donations, counselling teams, legal aid & housing support services due to a combination of intersecting factors:
- Economic uncertainty & rising costs for food, clothing & essential items;
- Critical shortages of affordable social housing for seniors/Elders & low income families, safe shelter spaces & treatment centres;
- A lack of trauma-informed counsellors to support people with mental health & addictions issues;
- Increasing demand to' meet people where they are at' with culturally-relevant programs;
- Funding cuts that forced downsizing or closures of other nonprofits providing healthcare, justice, social services & education support services.
These challenges are amplified for people we serve who often live with unstable housing situations, mental health challenges, language and literacy barriers, precarious im/migration status and mobility issues. They also often endure stigma, discrimination and isolation – which increases their vulnerability to exploitation and abuse.
Yet they are resilient and grateful for the support we provide through our Wellness Centre in the heart of Vancouver's DTEs. Every meal, heart-felt conversation, workshop and counselling session helps to build hope, improve health and create community connections. Watari's Wellness Centre not only saves lives—we are a pillar of support that enhances public safety and commUNITY wellbeing.
Watari provides critical support to vulnerable & equity-deserving people through two locations on the traditional territories of the xwməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish) & səlili̓lw̓ətaʔɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Peoples...in the heart of Vancouver's Downtown Eastside (DTES).
Watari treats everyone with the care, compassion and dignity they deserve – and we need your support to keep our DTES Wellness Centre doors open.
The Immediate Crisis
Watari was notified by BC Housing that the lease for Watari’s Wellness Centre on Alexander Street was NOT renewed by Veterans Manor management team (Whole Way House Society).
As one of the only no-barrier, multi-purpose service centres remaining in Vancouver's DTES, the Wellness Centre closure will leave thousands of vulnerable people without access to:
- Hot meals each day and grocery hamper support;
- Bathrooms, showers and free laundry services;
- A 'no-barrier,' inclusive Extreme Weather Shelter space;
- Connections to trusted counsellors, Indigenous Elders, and wellness workshop facilitators;
- Housing, education and justice system navigators;
- Youth at risk and migrant worker outreach teams;
- Connections we facilitate with multiple service providers: health authorities, child and family support agencies, housing and justice authorities, social development and community living organizations.
Closing the Wellness Centre will devastate our staff and nonprofit partners – but most importantly, it will create a massive gap in services for vulnerable people who already face some of the steepest barriers to wellness in our city and our province.
Please #StandWithWatariWellness
This petition was updated June 15th with the permission of Watari’s Executive Director, our Leadership Team and support of our Elders.
We call on the Province of BC to extend operational funding for Watari’s Wellness Centre for at least three (3) years.
It should not matter whether funding comes from BC Housing, Health, Public Safety, Social Development and Poverty Reduction, Housing and Municipal Affairs or a partnership between federal and provincial ministries.
What matters is that the failure to act will have catastrophic consequences for people who depend on Watari for essential services that most Canadians take for granted.
The Wellness Centre is much more than just a safe, inclusive space for people in the DTES - it is a centre of commUNITY collaboration.
Watari shares food, clothing donations, commercial kitchen, delivery van, staff and volunteers with other local organizations. We manage the DTES Community Food Hub, aligning bulk purchases and food reclamation programs to reduce food waste and improve food security across our region. We collaborate with local agencies to address social justice issues, empower Youth and support seniors/Elders and low-income families. We work together to advance Reconciliation through relationships and action.
How You Can Help ~ #StandWithWatariWellness
- Please sign this petition then share the link to encourage your friends, family and colleagues to sign.
- Send a letter of support to our Executive Director, Heather Scarff, at heather@watari.ca.
- Invite us to present 'Why Watari Matters to Public Health and Safety' at your working groups and conferences.
- Help to amplify our message! Follow @WatariCounselling on social media and like/share our posts, or create your own post and tag #WatariMatters and #StandWithWatariWellness
Our goal is to gather 20,000 signatures by September 1st to reflect the 20% increase in demand for services this year.
Your endorsement will help us to keep Watari’s Wellness Centre doors open so we can continue working towards our mission:
“To facilitate meaningful change and provide bridges to healthier possibilities through innovative, community-driven and supportive programming.”
Thank you for standing with Watari in our time of need!
In honour and respect,
Kristin Kozuback, M.Ed.
English/Ukrainian settler, honoured to support Watari in building commUNITY connections.
Learn more at Watari.ca and Why Watari Matters.
Please consider making a donation to our society or contacting us to explore volunteer and sponsor opportunities after signing this petition.
1
The Issue
#StandWithWatariWellness #WeStandWithWatari
Last year, Watari Counselling & Support Services Society directly supported more than 22,660 people of all ages, Nations & backgrounds.
Through wraparound support services & a holistic approach to wellness, Watari's dedicated team fills gaps with vital programs & essential service to improve the mental, physical, spiritual & emotional wellbeing of vulnerable people in Vancouver's DTES.
Demand has already increased 20% this year for our food & grocery programs, clothing donations, counselling teams, legal aid & housing support services due to a combination of intersecting factors:
- Economic uncertainty & rising costs for food, clothing & essential items;
- Critical shortages of affordable social housing for seniors/Elders & low income families, safe shelter spaces & treatment centres;
- A lack of trauma-informed counsellors to support people with mental health & addictions issues;
- Increasing demand to' meet people where they are at' with culturally-relevant programs;
- Funding cuts that forced downsizing or closures of other nonprofits providing healthcare, justice, social services & education support services.
These challenges are amplified for people we serve who often live with unstable housing situations, mental health challenges, language and literacy barriers, precarious im/migration status and mobility issues. They also often endure stigma, discrimination and isolation – which increases their vulnerability to exploitation and abuse.
Yet they are resilient and grateful for the support we provide through our Wellness Centre in the heart of Vancouver's DTEs. Every meal, heart-felt conversation, workshop and counselling session helps to build hope, improve health and create community connections. Watari's Wellness Centre not only saves lives—we are a pillar of support that enhances public safety and commUNITY wellbeing.
Watari provides critical support to vulnerable & equity-deserving people through two locations on the traditional territories of the xwməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish) & səlili̓lw̓ətaʔɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Peoples...in the heart of Vancouver's Downtown Eastside (DTES).
Watari treats everyone with the care, compassion and dignity they deserve – and we need your support to keep our DTES Wellness Centre doors open.
The Immediate Crisis
Watari was notified by BC Housing that the lease for Watari’s Wellness Centre on Alexander Street was NOT renewed by Veterans Manor management team (Whole Way House Society).
As one of the only no-barrier, multi-purpose service centres remaining in Vancouver's DTES, the Wellness Centre closure will leave thousands of vulnerable people without access to:
- Hot meals each day and grocery hamper support;
- Bathrooms, showers and free laundry services;
- A 'no-barrier,' inclusive Extreme Weather Shelter space;
- Connections to trusted counsellors, Indigenous Elders, and wellness workshop facilitators;
- Housing, education and justice system navigators;
- Youth at risk and migrant worker outreach teams;
- Connections we facilitate with multiple service providers: health authorities, child and family support agencies, housing and justice authorities, social development and community living organizations.
Closing the Wellness Centre will devastate our staff and nonprofit partners – but most importantly, it will create a massive gap in services for vulnerable people who already face some of the steepest barriers to wellness in our city and our province.
Please #StandWithWatariWellness
This petition was updated June 15th with the permission of Watari’s Executive Director, our Leadership Team and support of our Elders.
We call on the Province of BC to extend operational funding for Watari’s Wellness Centre for at least three (3) years.
It should not matter whether funding comes from BC Housing, Health, Public Safety, Social Development and Poverty Reduction, Housing and Municipal Affairs or a partnership between federal and provincial ministries.
What matters is that the failure to act will have catastrophic consequences for people who depend on Watari for essential services that most Canadians take for granted.
The Wellness Centre is much more than just a safe, inclusive space for people in the DTES - it is a centre of commUNITY collaboration.
Watari shares food, clothing donations, commercial kitchen, delivery van, staff and volunteers with other local organizations. We manage the DTES Community Food Hub, aligning bulk purchases and food reclamation programs to reduce food waste and improve food security across our region. We collaborate with local agencies to address social justice issues, empower Youth and support seniors/Elders and low-income families. We work together to advance Reconciliation through relationships and action.
How You Can Help ~ #StandWithWatariWellness
- Please sign this petition then share the link to encourage your friends, family and colleagues to sign.
- Send a letter of support to our Executive Director, Heather Scarff, at heather@watari.ca.
- Invite us to present 'Why Watari Matters to Public Health and Safety' at your working groups and conferences.
- Help to amplify our message! Follow @WatariCounselling on social media and like/share our posts, or create your own post and tag #WatariMatters and #StandWithWatariWellness
Our goal is to gather 20,000 signatures by September 1st to reflect the 20% increase in demand for services this year.
Your endorsement will help us to keep Watari’s Wellness Centre doors open so we can continue working towards our mission:
“To facilitate meaningful change and provide bridges to healthier possibilities through innovative, community-driven and supportive programming.”
Thank you for standing with Watari in our time of need!
In honour and respect,
Kristin Kozuback, M.Ed.
English/Ukrainian settler, honoured to support Watari in building commUNITY connections.
Learn more at Watari.ca and Why Watari Matters.
Please consider making a donation to our society or contacting us to explore volunteer and sponsor opportunities after signing this petition.
Petition Updates
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Petition created on August 8, 2025