The Kettle Blog

Mental health challenges affect 1 in 5 Canadians each year, yet persistent myths create barriers to recovery and make it harder to provide the right support.

At the Kettle Society, we’ve spent decades supporting individuals with mental health and addiction challenges, and we know that informed compassion is the first step toward genuine support.

One day, Bobby had a home. The next day, he was sleeping in a park. Then came two nights at the airport, trying to stay warm and safe. For the next year, Bobby lived in the shelter system, caught in the cycle of instability that not having a safe, consistent place to go home creates. "

"I thought The Kettle was a shelter, but it turned out to be something more... a place for friendship. Since that first day, I kept coming back." - Bobby

Doris is a a member of the Namgis Nation, a mother, a friend, an outdoorswoman and a long-time member of The Kettle. This is her story of her journey.

Nigel is a creative soul – an actor, singer, and improv artist. He’s a proud father of two and an advocate for adoptees. Nigel joined the Kettle Society in 2023 seeking mental health and housing support and has quickly become an active member of The Recovery Café, performing with the Kettle Choir, running improv sessions, and starting a mental health podcast. This is his story!

“There was a time when I didn’t trust the healthcare system or any institutions really – I felt like they had only hurt me. I didn’t know where to turn for help.” - Terry-Lee

With the support and encouragement of The Kettle community, Terry-Lee has built an inspiring new life. She is housed, employed and studying to become a mental health worker herself.

For the past 5 years, The Kettle’s ID Bank has helped hundred of individuals to acquire and safely store their personal ID.

After 8 years of homelessness and alcohol abuse, Jose now lives with a roof over his head and works a job to pay his bills - this is his story.

The Recovery Cafe’s mural is complete! Ready about artist Jen Clark’s inspiration for the piece and the meaning behind her vision.

After 6 years of service, Tamara Little has concluded her term on The Kettle’s Board of Directors. We brought her in for a Q&A, here’s what she had to say!

Hot off the press - our annual Impact Report was just released and we are proud to share some of the highlights from 2021/2022.

Happy birthday Peggy’s Place! This May we celebrated a big milestone - the 25th anniversary of opening one of our first housing sites.

We love our volunteers! Meet Sean - a champion of The Kettle and volunteers at the Recovery Café running street photography classes.

DYK? Our drop-in serves $1.00 warm nutritious meals to 70-90 individuals daily. Learn about our meal program from our long-time staff member, Audrey.

We are thrilled to welcome Sarah Jo Kirsch to the team as the new Director of The Kettle Choir!

We hosted our first in-person event to showcase our newest program: The Recovery Café.

Meet Anne - proud single mom of two, inspirational artist and long-time member of The Kettle.

The Kettle was featured on Global News and in The Vancouver Sun - here’s why!

It’s National Indigenous History Month - Here are some ways to learn, help, and be an ally.