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Podcast Season 2/E9 – Scott

Today, Blake talks to Scott, a Foundation House alumni who experienced a unique and challenging recovery journey. Scott dives into the interventions and supports which helped him achieve his goals in recovery. Have a listen on our podcast page! 
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BINGO Fun Day

Yesterday was BINGO fun day at Umbrella. Umbrella likes to have fun with our team and have some laughs, and yesterday there was no shortage of laughs had by all. We played BINGO with the team, including our Salt Spring folks who ZOOMED in for some fun. We played three ...
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Random Acts of Kindness Day

The Victoria Foundation is promoting their annual Random Acts of Kindness Week. What used to be a day, is now a week, and we couldn't be more thrilled. The staff have been making sure they are doing additional acts of kindness this week and people are feeling good. Tod...
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Podcast Season 2/E8 – Bill

In this episode, Blake sits down with Bill, the enigmatic facilitator of the Intensive Journaling program offered at Umbrella. Bill shares the profound impact that the Intensive Journaling process had on him and how he has adapted the program to meet the needs of individu...
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Co-Dependency Group

Umbrella is pleased to offer another round of Co-Dependency groups to those who struggle with co-dependency behaviours. Starting in March and by registration only, Registered Clinical Counsellor Valerie MacNeil will provide support and strategies for the group participa...
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Devin Retires

Devin Lynn has been a manager at Island Health for many, many years. Devin has been a huge supporter of Umbrella and a mentor to Sharlene. Today, we celebrated Devin and his retirement this Friday. There was great turnout, yummy food and stories that showed the type...
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Goodbye Laura

December was a sad month for Umbrella and the SURF team. Laura resigned to attend full time school in January and continue her work in this field. SURF started with Laura and she brought an incredible amount of knowledge, history, empathy and support to the clients they...
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Albina Team

One of the transitional housing sites Umbrella works at, Albina, is staffed by two of Umbrella's finest - Josh and Sean. Alongside our friends at Our Place, this site has incredible residents, lots of engagement and participation and a whole lotta  fun. On Christmas, th...
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Thank you Courtnall Society

Umbrella is incredibly grateful to be a grant recipient from the Courtnall Society again this year. Bruce and Cassie came to Umbrella's office to present Jake with the funds. We were told to apply the funds to the area of most need, and because Umbrella is ramping up ou...
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Podcast Season 2/E7 – Kristin

In today’s episode, the last episode of 2023, Blake sits down with Kristin, a member of our board and a member of this year’s recovery campaign. Kristin shares her story along with some thoughts on substance use in the trades and systemic changes that need to happen to be...