North Shore wraps its arms around HOpe Centre

Amongst the blue-clad were (l to r): MLA Ralph Sultan; Elizabeth Stanger, VCH-Coastal Director of Mental Health & Addictions; MLA Jordan Sturdy; LGH Foundation President Judy Savage; LGH Foundation Director of Development Louise Campbell; LGH Foundation Executive Assistant Delia Jamieson; and HOpe Centre Project Manager Wendy Peare.

Hundreds of North Shore residents, volunteers, VCH staff and physicians turned out last Saturday to introduce the community to North Vancouver’s new HOpe Centre facility. The new facility brings together acute and community mental health and addictions (MH&A) programs and services from across the North Shore, enabling a more integrated approach to care for people suffering from MH&A illnesses.

Despite a somewhat rainy morning, the hundreds of blue-clad “huggers” were in good spirits, sampling coffee that will be available when the HOpe Blenz Cafe opens its doors in a few weeks. Lions Gate Hospital Foundation President Judy Savage was helped in directing volunteers for the hug by Global news personality Kristi Gordon and CKNW radio show host Jon McComb.

Volunteers were on hand to provide information to visitors as they toured the four floors of the building, with feedback from visitors indicating they were happily surprised by the new facility. Comments like, “It doesn’t feel like a hospital at all, it feels like a school or an office building,” seemed to capture the mood of many participants. Live music by four North Shore bands rounded out the fun of the day, marking another step down the road of destigmatizing mental health illness.