In April 2020, Phoenix Society merged with the Positive Living Fraser Valley Society (PLFV), based out of Abbotsford. The decision to bring our organizations together was a simple one; our respective boards saw that with this collaboration our clients would have the opportunity to enter one of the service locations in Abbotsford or Surrey, and be connected to an extensive continuum of services that would start them on their journey to recovery and wellness and help lessen the harms caused by substance use or their HIV/Hepatitis C diagnosis.
Our HIV Outreach workers provide one-on-one case management for HIV positive clients, including:
Five days a week our mobile van provides Harm Reduction services to Abbotsford and Mission, also working with other Programs in Chilliwack to ensure adequate supplies, overdose Prevention education and kits are available. Naloxone Training has been provided in Chilliwack Pharmacies and at the Chilliwack Community Centre, including:
Our Prevention Assessment Referral Clinic (PARC) Drop-in Centre offers services to vulnerable populations in Fraser East region of British Columbia, providing assessment, referrals, access to on site medical care, harm reduction supplies and onsite supervised consumption. PARC averages approximately 9000 visits per quarter and a planned iOAT clinic is also expected to open out of the PARC Drop-in Centre soon. Drop-in services include:
For the past 5 years we have provided a Medical Outreach Worker whose main role is to identify those needing connections to care within the Fraser East region. This position tracks people’s appointments (specialist, diagnostics, nurse practitioners) and goes into encampments to give individuals rides to medical and other appointments to ensure that they keep the connections to the care they need to support their health and wellbeing. This outreach worker also identifies those that are extremely ill and need to be taken to ER or other facilities for immediate assistance, also providing assessment of which services fit particular client needs, including:
This position provides care to all those at risk of HIV or Viral Hepatitis, including individuals already diagnosed with Hepatitis C, working closely with our onsite Nurse Practitioners and Infectious Disease Specialists.
Thank you to United Way Lower Mainland for its support of Positive Living programs. Contact them to learn more at www.uwlm.ca