Pioneer Community Living Association - PCLA

01/21/2026

Recently, residents from multiple PCLA locations took part in a group Art Therapy session at the Burnaby Art Gallery, exploring the theme of an Artist Garden. Each participant created a personal art piece using mixed media techniques, including collage, pastel colouring, and ink prints.

The session offered residents a chance to experiment creatively, express themselves in new ways, and enjoy making art together in a welcoming community setting. The response was overwhelmingly positive: residents were engaged, proud of their work, and excited to share the experience with others - many residents have already asked about returning in the future!

Moments like these highlight the value of creative spaces in supporting connection, confidence, and well-being. Thank you to everyone who helped make this session such a success - we look forward to more creative outings ahead 🎨

01/14/2026

We’ve launched a new page on our website that explains how PCLA supports long-term recovery for people living with severe and persistent mental illness.

At PCLA, recovery is about living a meaningful, self-directed life - with the right supports in place.

Our work is guided by five recovery dimensions:
🏠 Housing Stability
🤝 Belonging
🎯 Purpose
❤️ Health
🧭 Autonomy

These dimensions shape how we design programs, build partnerships, and support people in their everyday lives. If you’re a family member, partner, funder, or policymaker interested in what recovery-oriented housing really looks like, we invite you to learn more.

https://www.pclaservices.ca/ourapproach

12/31/2025

Last week, residents and staff from PCLA took part in a holiday outing to FlyOver Canada at Canada Place, experiencing the Christmas-themed “Soar with Santa” flight ride. This immersive experience uses motion seating, a multi-storey spherical screen, and sensory effects like wind, mist, and scent to create the feeling of flying across Canada and onward to Santa’s North Pole.

Decorated with festive displays and guided by a short pre-show featuring Santa’s elves, the outing offered both entertainment and a shared experience grounded in tradition, joy, and belonging. We have been fortunate to make this trip several years in a row, and it continues to be something residents look forward to each holiday season.

12/22/2025

A wonderful evening at PCLA last week 🎶
We were proud to host the Beata Choir for a night of live music, shared treats, and community connection. The choir shared that PCLA is one of their favourite places to perform, thanks to our welcoming residents and staff. Moments like these build belonging and well-being. 💛

12/22/2025

Grateful to for donating new women’s pajamas to PCLA residents this holiday season 💛 These simple gifts bring comfort, dignity, and warmth to our residents.

Thank you to our staff for coordinating distribution and to La Vie en Rose for helping brighten the season. We will post pics on Christmas Day!

12/17/2025

Yesterday, PCLA residents and staff came together at Oppenheimer Park in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside for PCLA’s most recent homeless outreach project.

This outreach began with two residents who simply felt they wanted to give back. Today, it continues 2–3 times each year, with residents and staff volunteering their time to prepare food, collect warm clothing and blankets, and connect with people in the community who are living without stable housing.

This week, the group shared food, clothing, and 75 handmade scarves and toques generously donated by a 90-year-old community member who wanted to help keep others warm. The gratitude and kindness exchanged during the afternoon left a lasting impression on everyone involved.

One resident shared:
“Giving back to people who don’t have enough food and warm clothing really makes me think, wow - I am doing a good job at giving back, as I used to live like that.”
Another reflected:
“I feel lucky that I have a nice home at PCLA, good food, support, and friends.”

These moments matter. They build purpose, connection, and compassion, both for those giving and those receiving. We’re proud of our residents and staff who continue to lead this meaningful work in the community.

12/03/2025

This Giving Tuesday, the need is unmistakable, and so is the impact.

At PCLA, over 350 individuals living with moderate to severe mental illness rely on our housing, care, and recovery-focused programs every year. Yet mental illness remains one of the leading drivers of housing instability in BC, with 1 in 5 adults experiencing mental illness annually and over 25% facing homelessness due to limited supports.

Our model works because it’s comprehensive:
• Eight residential programs that span crisis response to supported independent living
• Life Skills, Vocational Training, and Recreational Therapy that build independence
• Partnerships with UBC Dentistry, BCIT Nursing, and PureTone Hearing that create pathways to health and stability.

This year alone, residents have achieved:
• 87% engaged in recreational, volunteering, employment, and educational opportunities.
• 100% satisfaction with free on-site dental care
• 90% feeling safe and respected in their homes
These outcomes only happen because the basics are in place: stable housing, consistent support, and programs that meet people where they’re at.

Your Giving Tuesday donation directly strengthens that foundation.
Whether it’s upgrading essential accessibility features, expanding life-skills training, or sustaining employment supports, every contribution helps residents move toward independence, dignity, and community connection.

https://www.pclaservices.ca/donate-now

If you’re looking to create meaningful, measurable impact this Giving Tuesday, this is it.

  giving opportunities“no one can do everything, but everyone can do something”       We welcome financial support from the community.Supporting PCLA will give us essential resources that allow us to expand services in the community and contribute to important capital expenditures. donateEv...

12/01/2025

A Creative Afternoon at PCLA 🌸

Last week, residents from across PCLA’s homes came together for a floral arranging workshop as part of our Art Therapy initiative. What started as a simple holiday activity quickly turned into a joyful afternoon of creativity, connection, and pride.

Residents worked together, shared ideas, and filled the house with beautiful arrangements they were excited to show off. For some, the activity was calming and grounding; for others, it sparked confidence and a chance to try something new.

Our staff felt the impact too:
✨ “It really was a lovely afternoon thoroughly enjoyed by all.” — Leah
✨ “Beautiful and heartwarming that our residents and staff get to experience such joy and connectedness, learning new hobbies.” — Michelle

We’re already planning a follow-up session in February for Valentine’s Day, and residents are excited to keep exploring new creative projects.

These moments matter. They help build community, support wellness, and create a sense of home for the individuals we serve every day at PCLA.

🌼 Thanks to everyone who helped make this afternoon so special!

11/19/2025

In October, fifty Pioneer Community Living Association (PCLA) staff participated in a full-day training led by Fraser Health’s Trauma & Resiliency Informed Practice (TRIP) team.

11/19/2025

Pioneer Community Living Association’s 2024/25 Annual Report is out: highlighting a year of growth, partnership, and innovation in mental health housing and support.

Visit our website and click the orange button! ➡️

  healthy independence   We are a community mental health service dedicated to providing critical care, support, and pathways toward independent, holistic well-being. Pioneer Community Living Association’s 2024–2025 Annual Report highlights a year of growth, collaboration, and impact, from new...

04/08/2025

💙 “Helping people—that is my culture. That is my heart.”
Meet Kebede, a longtime PCLA staff member and the recipient of the King Charles III Coronation Medal
for service.

From refugee camps to community mental health care, Kebede’s kindness reaches across borders.

📖 Go to https://www.pclaservices.ca/articles/kebede-abate to read his inspiring story.

11/27/2024

Celebrating Generosity: Transforming Spaces, Transforming Lives

On November 18th, 2024, Pioneer Community Living Association (PCLA) had the privilege of hosting a recognition ceremony to honour two of our most esteemed donors, the Al-Roadburg Foundation and the Y.P. Heung Foundation. Their incredible generosity towards the Serene Spaces Campaign in 2023 made an extraordinary impact, culminating in the completion of the project this year.

What Was the Serene Spaces Project?
The Serene Spaces Project aimed to transform living environments at PCLA, particularly at our 220 Sherbrooke Street site, which serves individuals navigating moderate to severe mental health challenges. With the support of our donors, PCLA refurbished 30 bedrooms at Sherbrooke and upgraded 37 additional rooms across other sites—a total of 67 spaces transformed into warm, safe, and therapeutic environments.

Improvements included:
- New beds and mattresses for enhanced comfort and accessibility.
- Updated dressers, desks, and decor elements to create a welcoming atmosphere.
- Thoughtful designs fostering dignity, self-esteem, and ownership for residents.

Research shows that serene, nurturing spaces significantly contribute to mental health recovery, reducing stress, enhancing mood, and promoting relaxation. This project seamlessly aligns with PCLA’s mission to create supportive environments where individuals can thrive on their path to wellness.

A Heartfelt Thank You
We extend our deepest gratitude to the Al-Roadburg Foundation and the Y.P. Heung Foundation. Your commitment to creating healing environments has made a lasting difference in the lives of our residents.

Together, we’ve created spaces that provide comfort, dignity, and hope. Thank you for helping us build a stronger, more supportive community.