Canadian Mental Health Association Vancouver Burnaby (CMHAVB)

Since 1959 CMHA Vancouver-Burnaby has promoted mental wellness and increased understanding of mental health issues through innovative and collaborative approaches in the areas of public education, accessible services and personal empowerment. CMHAVB's Supported Employment Service offers help to individuals who identify as having barriers to employment as a result of mental health experiences or concerns. CMHAVB’s goal is to support clients to gain, or maintain, paid employment in the community. The comprehensive support and unlimited time involvement has proven successful for many service participants who strive to get and keep jobs.

Thanks to our Funders
Western Economic Diversification	United Way
Vancouver Coastal Health Authority

Potluck Café Society

The Potluck Cafe Society grew out of a "youth-at-risk" employment initiative in 2000. Potluck Café Society now operate a café on the main level of the acclaimed housing business, the Portland Hotel, in the Downtown Eastside of Vancouver. Potluck Café and Potluck Catering provide permanent employment for Downtown Eastside youth and residents. The café provides nutritious meals to area residents and discounted daily meals to low-income diners in a normal social setting. By the end of 2003, the Potluck Café will have served over 100,000 meals to low income DTES residents.

Catering, café operations and limited fundraising help subsidize these meals. Therefore, revenue growth in these areas means three things: more meals are served to area residents, the café becomes financially self-sustaining, and more sustainable jobs are created. In short, our vision is to help to transform the lives of individuals and of Vancouver's Downtown Eastside community.