HEALING AND RECONCILIATION FOR COMMUNITIES AND FAMILIES
How a Program Became Home
Asking for help can be a daunting and difficult task. Knowing how to start, who to turn to and finding an authentic, judgment-free space can feel impossible.
For the Dr. Peter Centre in downtown Vancouver, creating a warm, welcoming atmosphere as soon as an individual walks through the door is what sets it apart.
For the last several years, the Dr. Peter Centre has focused on the development of the “Beyond Reconciliation: Embedding Cultural Competency in Care” program. This HIV/AIDS support clinic was created after noticing that roughly one third of people seeking help were Indigenous. This led to incorporating culturally informed care that focuses on safety and comfort and provides access to showers, laundry facilities and creative therapy programs like music and art.
Once again, the Indigenous Reconciliation Fund (IRF) is proud to support the Dr. Peter Centre in delivering its third year of Indigenous wellness programming. The IRF has seen the tangible impacts the centre has made in Vancouver by supporting the community and its most vulnerable. More than sustaining a program, the funding is about embedding reconciliation in our culture, building long-term relationships and ensuring that Indigenous teachings guide the Centre’s work into the future.
While not an Indigenous organization, the Dr. Peter Centre is committed to meeting the unique, cultural needs of those who it supports, with the majority being Indigenous.
Archdiocese of Vancouver
