The Restorative Community Health Society (RCHS) was established to assist in piloting a Restorative Wellness reconciliation effort. RCHF collaborates closely with Restorative Counselling and RWP Groups to identify, address and deliver responsive care to those in need.
The society is also committed to Indigenizing mental health and addiction services to create 'safe spaces'. Culturally informed services and trauma-informed practices that consider the unique unmet needs of underserved community members in British Columbia and elsewhere in Canada.
The society considers culture, mindfulness and spirituality to be a significant part of personal wellness and therefore make it a priority to weave these elements into all services offered.
The RCHS Board of Directors remains committed to indigenous-led and matriarchal / land-based values as a starting place for healing. Our board and volunteers are comprised of a large and diverse network of wisdom keepers, contracted clinical counsellors, social workers, trauma-informed psychiatrists and medical doctors, students and RWP group facilitators.
Charitable Status: As of November, 2022 the Foundation is awaiting approval to become a charitable foundation, and has partnered with Bethlehem Centre Society(Charitable No. 892912668RR0001) for grant funding until RCHF attains an independent charitable tax number.
Note: Bethlehem Centre Society, RCHS and Restorative Wellness Programs share a physical address for services at 2371 Arbot Rd, in Nanaimo, BC.
A Digital Library: Oral Histories, Wellness Practices & Wisdom Teachings (Inclusive of all faiths)
We LOVE Student Volunteers <3
Practicum Students through RCHS have dedicated almost 2942 hours to supporting culturally-informed mental health services as of Jan 2024.
Shawna Dash (far right) is one of the amazing MA Counselling Psychology Students who helped to build our programming and charitable work. Shawna completed her Clinical Practicum with RWP Roles: Group and Individual Counselling & Volunteers as a Board Member at Large at RCHS. See what Shawna had to say about her experienceHERE.
We raise our hands to all the volunteers at RCHS, educational institutions committed to decolonizing services and supporters of our longitudinal research on strength-based and culturally informed approaches to health. Special thanks to:
Adler University (MA Counselling Programs) for both Social Justice Practicum Students & Clinical Practicum Students! Big warm thanks to UVIC Faculty of Law and UBC Faculty of Medicine, for your support in our shared work and for the many students helping us along the way. And to both Yorkville University and Concordia University Psychology Department for allowing us to host your students!
It is because of the many collaborative efforts of many hands that we have come so far in providing safe and non-shaming spaces for all.
How we serve communities
RCHS participates in clinical research and grant writing to offset the cost of clinical program group supplies and mailing materials to remote communities.
RCHS seeks to provide access to safe and sacred spaces that allow community members to connect with their own higher power and beliefs around ceremonial fire at group gathering spaces.
RCHS shares these safe spaces with remote communities in need of support by offering culturally-enriched indoor groups with hybrid online zoom access (open to all faith communities)
Fundraise to practice traditional gifting practices (providing honorarium and traditional gifts) to elders, clients and community members / community helpers.
RCHS supports initiatives to grow food in community gardens for all to enjoy, and provide access to food resources for each client who identifies this need (through case management, our restorative clinicians and students can help people find out where they can go in their own community for access to food).
RWP AND RCHS regularly donate items to silent auctions for local families in dire need of support.
Examples of donated auction items:
1 Full round of DBT (youth or adult) from RWP - $5000 value
10 counselling sessions with an RWP counsellor -$1600 value
Full day Mindful Self-Compassion Retreat at Bethlehem Center.
Subsidized access to Mindful Self-Compassion, Mindfulness-Based Relapse Prevention and other advanced group offerings
A Restorative Vision
Donations to RCHS assist with:
Prioritizing and normalizing accessible support for healthcare professionals and service providers at risk of burnout in community (We count too!)
Making responsive, low-barrier 1:1 trauma counselling and full-fidelity clinical groups available to all indigenous or non-indigenous community members regardless of insurance coverage or financial limitations.
Providing virtual care to those that otherwise would not have access to the care they need in their own communities, or who have physical limitations to attending care in person.
Outreach responses (intensives) after critical incidents ex: Clinical Team travelled with berries and bannock to Port Alberni to lend support to Residential School Survivors in Summer of 2022.
We believe the clients to be the best judge of their most basic and pressing needs and seek to assist them in achieving stability through fundraising to make basic necessities, grocery/gas cards, available to community members (RWP clients), Elders and Healthcare Providers who are in need or facing dire challenges.
*If interested in making a donation payment for annual memberships at RCHF (Restorative community health society) only please email or e-transfer to donation@restwp.com or click below