Petition to Save Watari's Wellness Centre
Petition to Save Watari's Wellness Centre
The Issue
#StandWithWatariWellness #WeStandWithWatari
Last year, Watari Counselling and Support Services Society supported more than 15,700 people of all ages, Nations and backgrounds.
Through wraparound support services and a holistic approach to wellness, Watari's dedicated team fills gaps with vital programs and essential service to improve the mental, physical, spiritual and emotional wellbeing of vulnerable people in Vancouver's DTES.
Demand has already increased 20% this year for our food and grocery programs, clothing donations, counselling teams, legal aid and housing support services...due to a combination of intersecting factors:
- Economic uncertainty and rising costs for food, clothing and essential items;
- Critical shortages of affordable social housing for seniors/Elders and low income families, safe shelter spaces and treatment centres;
- A lack of trauma-informed counsellors to support people with mental health and addictions issues;
- Increasing demand for culturally relevant programs that 'meet people where they are at' and provide a holistic approach to wellness, and;
- Government cuts forcing many nonprofits who fill gaps in our healthcare, justice, social services and education systems to downsize or close.
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. Every meal, heart-felt conversation, workshop and counselling session helps to build hope, improve their 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.
We know the HUMAN stories behind these numbers from our 2023-2024 Annual Report:
Watari provides critical support to vulnerable and equity-deserving people through two locations on the traditional territories of the xwməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish), and 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 core funding for Watari’s Wellness Centre in Vancouver's DTES will end on March 31st, 2026.
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 is created with the permission of Watari’s Executive Director and support of our Elders, Board of Directors and staff.
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 the 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 18,000 signatures by December 31st to reflect the 20% increase in demand for services this year.
Your endorsement will help us tp 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 and Support Services Society supported more than 15,700 people of all ages, Nations and backgrounds.
Through wraparound support services and a holistic approach to wellness, Watari's dedicated team fills gaps with vital programs and essential service to improve the mental, physical, spiritual and emotional wellbeing of vulnerable people in Vancouver's DTES.
Demand has already increased 20% this year for our food and grocery programs, clothing donations, counselling teams, legal aid and housing support services...due to a combination of intersecting factors:
- Economic uncertainty and rising costs for food, clothing and essential items;
- Critical shortages of affordable social housing for seniors/Elders and low income families, safe shelter spaces and treatment centres;
- A lack of trauma-informed counsellors to support people with mental health and addictions issues;
- Increasing demand for culturally relevant programs that 'meet people where they are at' and provide a holistic approach to wellness, and;
- Government cuts forcing many nonprofits who fill gaps in our healthcare, justice, social services and education systems to downsize or close.
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. Every meal, heart-felt conversation, workshop and counselling session helps to build hope, improve their 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.
We know the HUMAN stories behind these numbers from our 2023-2024 Annual Report:
Watari provides critical support to vulnerable and equity-deserving people through two locations on the traditional territories of the xwməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish), and 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 core funding for Watari’s Wellness Centre in Vancouver's DTES will end on March 31st, 2026.
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 is created with the permission of Watari’s Executive Director and support of our Elders, Board of Directors and staff.
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 the 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 18,000 signatures by December 31st to reflect the 20% increase in demand for services this year.
Your endorsement will help us tp 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
Petition Updates
Share this petition
Petition created on August 8, 2025