Why Support The Willow?

It is increasingly evident that what was once considered a Downtown Eastside issue has now spread beyond its borders. Many neighborhoods are experiencing a rise in visible substance use and the accompanying challenges. We all know someone affected by alcohol or substance use disorders, and when combined with mental health complications, it is understandable how hope can feel distant. There have been times when we all felt helpless, uncertain of how to offer real assistance.

At The Willow Therapeutic Community House, our multidisciplinary team brings together decades of experience working with vulnerable and marginalized communities. We approach each case through a bio-psycho-social lens and are fortunate to have a network of contacts that complement our scope of practice. We believe that addressing the root causes of trauma is essential for implementing lasting and sustainable changes.

We understand that long waits for government-funded treatment facilities contribute to the challenges of maintaining sobriety after detox. Additionally, the high cost of private care, often reaching tens of thousands of dollars, can be prohibitive. Our solution is The Willow Therapeutic Community House, a culturally diverse, gender-inclusive, post-detox long-term residency. We offer a variety of services tailored to meet each resident's unique needs, helping them build lives free from alcohol and substance dependency. We are not a government funded organization, nor are we a private centre. We fall somewhere in in the middle. We believe that by creating as realistically close to a"normal" communal housing situation, our residents find the changes less abrupt and activating. Rather we hear of empowerment and self-reliance coming to the forefront of their minds, hearts and souls.