Mental health is an issue that is still heavily stigmatized in Vancouver. This is why initiatives such as last month’s World Mental Health Day are important. It’s also why several local non-profits are working to support people with mental health illnesses and combat misunderstandings about these diseases.
One of these local organizations is the Kettle Friendship Society, a non-profit founded in Vancouver in 1976 by 20 volunteers. For over 35 years, Kettle has been providing support to over 3,600 individuals living with mental health illness through its 26 services, a mental health drop-in centre, a transition house for women, and over 200 units of supported housing.
Recently, Kettle put together Art Against Stigma, a Vancouver Eastside Culture Crawl event that showcased art pieces from upcoming artists while fighting the public misunderstanding of mental illness.
If you’re wondering about the name, “Kettle” wasn’t chosen by accident. After brainstorming names, the volunteer founders of the organization realized that kettle is an ideal symbol for what the society is all about. In a culture where so much revolves around socializing over a cup of coffee or tea, a kettle represents the ideals that the organization stands for: friendship, caring, family and sharing.
Looking ahead, Kettle will participate in the City of Vancouver’s upcoming community planning process for the Grandview-Woodland area. Kettle wants to explore its vision for the expansion of the drop-in centre in conjunction with the community plan. While it has a presence across Vancouver, Kettle would like to expand its drop-in centre on Venables Street this year, a critical move given that this facility has been beyond its capacity since opening in 2000.
The expansion means Kettle will be able to better serve the community and further contribute to the well being of those in need. The organization is working with Boffo Properties on its plans for an expanded facility at 1725 Venables Street. The goal is to build a new market residential and commercial component that will finance the Kettle facility, including its non-market supportive residential units.
Up next for Kettle is a series of outreach programs to let the community know what the society is all about and why the expansion of its drop-in facility is so important. Visit the Kettle Friendship Society website for more info. You can also check out the City of Vancouver website for more on the Grandview-Woodland Community Plan.
