Support Services Working Together

Vancouver has many government programs, community services, and non-profit organizations working to help people in need. They provide everything from housing assistance and food programs to mental health support and services for seniors. But too often, these services operate separately, leaving people struggling to figure out where to go for help.

I’ve spent decades advocating for people facing tenancy, disability, and human rights issues. I’ve seen firsthand how difficult these systems can be to navigate. Someone looking for help might be sent from one office to another, repeating their story, filling out more paperwork, or being referred to a service that can’t actually meet their needs.

The problem isn’t necessarily a lack of organizations willing to help. It’s that communication between them isn’t always effective. Some services may overlap, while other needs go unmet because nobody has a clear picture of what’s available or where the gaps are.

I want the City to take a closer look at how our support services operate across Vancouver. That means mapping out existing programs, identifying where services overlap, finding gaps in coverage, and bringing government departments and community organizations together to develop a practical plan for better coordination.

This is also about being responsible with public money. If two programs are doing much the same work, we should be asking whether they could share resources or coordinate their efforts instead of paying for unnecessary duplication. That doesn’t mean cutting essential services. It means making better use of the services and funding we already have.

My years in advocacy have taught me that getting someone the help they need often comes down to knowing how different systems work and getting the right people talking to one another.

Vancouver doesn’t need more disconnected programs. We need a system where organizations work together, public money is used effectively, and people can get the support they need without being passed from one place to the next.