NEWS
Free Health Services for Low-Income Families: Fort St. John Women’s Resource Society Partners with North Peace Division OF FAMILY PRACTICE
The Fort St. John Women’s Resource Society (FSJWRS) is making waves in British Columbia with a transformative new initiative. In partnership with North Peace Division of Family Practice and Northern Health, the FSJWRS has launched a free Health Services program at The Healing Place (9912 96th Avenue). This innovative program, funded through the provincial Primary Care Networks (PCN) initiative, offers essential health and wellness support to low-income families in Fort St. John and surrounding areas.
The Fort St. John Women’s Resource Society (FSJWRS) is making waves in British Columbia with a transformative new initiative. In partnership with Northern Health, the FSJWRS has launched a free Health Services program at The Healing Place (9912 96th Avenue). This innovative program is the first of its kind in BC, offering essential health and wellness support to low-income families in Fort St. John and surrounding areas.
A Lifeline for Low-Income Families
The program is designed for families earning a gross annual income of $42,000 or less, with an additional $2,000 allowance per child. By addressing a crucial gap in accessible health care, the FSJWRS continues to fulfill its mission of empowering families and driving meaningful social change.
“We believe in equipping families with the tools they need to create positive change. This program ensures that everyone, regardless of their background, has access to vital health services and resources.” Amanda Trotter, Executive Director
Comprehensive Health Services at The Healing Place
The Health Services program is delivered by a dedicated team of professionals, including a Nurse, a Mental Health and Substance Use (MHSU) Clinician, and a Life Skills Worker, offering a broad range of support:
Nurse: Blood spot testing, women’s health resources and support, and wound care.
MHSU Clinician: Treatment applications, detox support, Vulnerability Assessment Tool (VAT) assessments, case management, and arranging transportation for medical appointments.
Life Skills Worker: Life skills workshops, personalized budgeting plans, goal setting, and one-on-one support.
Convenient Walk-In Services
The Health Team offers walk-in hours from Monday to Thursday, 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. To ensure availability, community members are encouraged to call ahead at 250-787-1121.
Year-Round HIV Testing
In addition to health services, The Healing Place provides free HIV testing in a safe, judgment-free environment. Testing is available Monday through Friday, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., with no appointment necessary.
Visit The Healing Place
Located at 9912 96th Avenue, The Healing Place is a hub for accessible, compassionate health care for those in need. This initiative highlights the power of collaboration, with North Peace Division and Northern Health strategically allocating PCN funding to ensure that families in Fort St. John have access to vital services.
Whether you’re seeking mental health support, life skills education, or essential health services, The Healing Place is here to help.
For more information about this program and other services offered by FSJWRS, call 250-787-1121.
CRISIS SUPPORT LINES
Our office is closed from December 21, 2024, to January 5, 2025.
We understand that the holiday season can be challenging for many. If you require assistance, please don’t hesitate to contact the following crisis lines, or find information on where to access Harm Reduction supplies.
Emergency Services: 911
Suicide Prevention Helpline (call or text): 988
Crisis Line: 1-888-562-1214
Crisis Text Line for Hearing Impaired: Text HOME to 686 868
Mental Health Crisis: 310-6789
Mental Health for First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Peoples: 1-855-242-3310
BC Suicide Prevention and Intervention Line: 1-800-784-2433
Youth Support Line: text 250-564-8336 or call 1-888-564-8336.
Kids Help Phone: 1-800-668-6868
Fort St. John RCMP: 250-787-8100
National Residential School Crisis Line: 1-866-925-4419
Legal Aid BC (Fort St. John’s office): 250-785-8089
Victim Link BC: 1-800-563-0808
Battered Women’s Support Services: 1-855-687-1868
Talk Suicide Canada: 1-833-456-4566
Non-emergency community programs and social services: 211
HealthLink BC: 811
Access to Harm Reduction Supplies
Fort St. John Health Unit
10115 110 Avenue
Fort St. John BC V1J 6M9
Phone: 250-263-6000
Monday-Friday 8:30 am - 4:30 pm
Fort St. John Mental Health & Addiction Services
9900 100 Ave
Fort St John, BC V1J 5S7
Phone: 250-263-6080
Monday-Friday 8:30 am - 4:30 pm
Intensive Case Management Team
Fort St. John Hospital
8407 112 Ave
Fort St. John, BC V1J 2A4
Phone: 250-261-7271
Everyday 9:00 am – 8:15 pm
Crisis Support Lines
Our office is closed from 22nd December 2023 until 8th January 2024. We wish you a peaceful holiday and a happy New Year. We know that the holidays are not always an easy time for everybody. If you need help please reach out and call the following crisis lines:
Covid 19: Clearing the air on benefits.
Fort St. John Women’s Resource Society Poverty Law Advocate, Melody Blaney presented a well attended webinar on “Clearing the air on Covid benefits” on the 10th December 2020. If you were not able to attend and would like to watch the presentation, we have uploaded it below. Just click on the arrow to play.
Correction: During the webinar, I mistakenly said that the eligibility requirement for CERB of having earned $5000 in the last year was based on net income. This is not correct. It was based on gross income (before tax deductions).
2020 Homeless Count Results
In March 2020 the Fort St. John Women’s Resource Society and an army of community volunteers conducted Fort St. John’s 2nd Homeless Count. Here are the results:
Covid-19: We Are Open And Supporting Our Community
Morning to all our wonderful supporters. People are asking us where they can donate to the Society to help at this time. If you want to donate food items we have put a suggested list of non perishable food items on this page. Call Lisa on 250 787 1121 to arrange drop off. People who want to donate cash, we have a safe donate button at the top right hand side of this page, where you can donate electronically. We will use the funds to keep our food program running and of course we will be buying food locally to support our local business as well. Thank you for all you do Fort St. John.
Volunteer Call Homeless Count 2020 in Fort St. John
We need YOU to help support the 2020 Homeless Count in Fort St. John!
Following the 2018 Report on Homeless Counts in BC, Homeless Counts are taking place in a concerted effort in communities across the province in 2020. Homeless counts provide important information on the
estimated number, key demographics and service provision needs of those experiencing homelessness, both in Fort St. John and across the province.
We are seeking your help to conduct the count in Fort St. John.
This involves attending a training session and conducting a brief anonymous survey with people who are experiencing homelessness during the count.
The count takes place on 11th March 2020, and training will be 27th February 3pm or 6pm (You must be available to attend one of these two training sessions).
We are looking for people who:
Are compassionate, accepting, and comfortable with one-on-one conversations.
Have a friendly, non-judgmental attitude and a good sense of humour.
Are 19 years of age or older and younger than 70 years of age (to meet insurance
requirements).
REGISTER NOW TO VOLUNTEER IN THE 2020 HOMELESS COUNT IN FORT ST. JOHN!
You can sign up here:
http://hsa-bc.ca/bc-homeless-count
ABOUT THE COUNT:
The Homelessness Services Association, in partnership with Urban Matters and BC Non-Profit Housing Association have been contracted by BC Housing to work with communities to implement the 2020 Provincial Homeless Count.
Income Assistance Support at Fort St. John Women's Resource Society
Trisha Hodson, Community Integration Specialist ~ North, from the Ministry of Social Development & Poverty Reduction will be in the Fort St. John Women’s Resource Society every Tuesday from 9am to 12 noon to help people with Income Assistance queries. Trisha is happy for clients to drop in to see her over this period or if you would prefer you can contact us at 250 787 1121 so that we can set up an appointment with her.
Community Safety Plan Manual
This manual has been designed in conjunction with and by Treaty 8 communities as a response to the numbers of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women in the area. The intention of the manual is that it is a practical document that needs to be updated regularly and forms an initial emergency response to any person - women, man or child who is reported missing within the territory.
We are grateful to the Law Foundation of British Columbia for providing the funding for the development of this Manual and to Connie Greyeyes who has acted on behalf of the Fort St. John Women’s Resource Society as Aboriginal Liaison in its development.
Please email the Society for a digital copy of the Manual.