The Community Services approach is to support individuals to build self-esteem and then give options for rehabilitation and recovery. Our approach is based upon an empowerment model. We also work with the community to help break down stigma around mental illness.
Mental Health Drop-In Centre
The Drop-In Centre is the heart of The Kettle and offers recreational, social, and life skills programs for community integration of individuals with a mental health disability, including men’s and women’s groups.
The Drop-In also offers women’s lounge, hot showers and laundry facilities, a Tuck Shop – run by a Kettle member, clothing store, a computer room, recreational activities, cooking classes, and special events. Kettle members can enjoy socializing and participating in activities at the Drop-In. The Kettle Drop-In life skills training and leisure social-recreational activities last year had over 45,000 participants.
The Kettle Drop-In meal program serves over 22,000 meals to 2,500 individuals annually including every holiday. Meals are provided at 11:30 am daily and cost $1.00 for mental health consumers.
The Drop-In is open 365 days a year, and the hours are 9:30 am to 8:00 pm, Monday to Friday, and 10:00 am to 5 pm, Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays.
Advocacy Services
The Kettle Advocacy provides much needed information, support, and representation to resolve income, housing, and family law problems. Our Advocates also help to resolve debt, welfare, tenancy, and child and family disputes. The office is open 9:30 am to noon and 1:00 pm to 4:15 pm, Monday to Thursday.
The staff work with our members, government agencies and other service providers to ensure that persons with a mental illness have access to housing, financial supports, legal and mental health resources, and are treated fairly in their interactions with government, community and the mental health system.
Pro Bono Legal Clinic: With the support of the Kettle Advocacy Service, the Western Canada Society to Access Justice runs a free legal clinic every Thursday afternoon from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm. The clinic is staffed by volunteer lawyers who can give advice, look at and review legal documents and answer questions about civil law matters. Civil law matters can include wills and estates, personal injury claims, small claims court, contract problems and other disputes. The clinic is by appointment only. The clinic is open to anyone as long as they are low income and cannot obtain legal aid. For an appointment, call 604-253-0669 and ask for the Pro Bono Legal Clinic Coordinator.
Self- Advocates: The Kettle Self-Advocates Program is made up of six active and long term Kettle members and consumers of mental health services. The Self-Advocates Group meets every week and every three months plans, organizes and facilitates Information Sharing Meetings on topics which the group believes will benefit consumers/survivors both within the Kettle and within the community.
Outreach Services
The Kettle Outreach Services program assists members to connect with appropriate community agencies in order to have full access to services and resources they require. The program provides outreach services to Kettle members in treatment facilities – hospital, mental health teams, detox and treatment centre’s – through weekly visits. The outreach staff work with hospital staff and social workers on the community care plan to bridge members back into the community successfully.
SEED Employment Program
The SEED Employment program assists individuals with chronic mental health issues to build the vocational skills, confidence and stamina necessary to make the transition from unemployment to satisfying work opportunities.
SEED works with the larger community – creating innovative partnerships, providing skilled workers to local businesses, and breaking down stigma about mental illness.
Over the last year, the program has successfully employed in long and short term positions over 70 clients in the following job sectors: landscaping, kitchen preparation, painting, moving, photography, janitorial, esthetics, and office work.
The SEED Program is also part of a creative partnership with the Commercial Drive Business Improvement Association. The SEED “Clean Team” has been keeping The Drive clean five days a week since 2003, and gives participants an opportunity to learn new skills and to interact with the community.
Recreational & Life skill Programs
Our Life skills and Recreation programs promote knowledge, psychosocial and interpersonal skills and social interactions to help people learn to function and live independently in our communities.
Life skills and Recreation are vital to the maintenance of general health and wellness and are critical to the rehabilitation and recovery process for those with mental illness and positively impact mental health by reducing anxiety and stress and increasing self-esteem.
