Lookout Housing and Health Society offers a wide range of health services and is at the forefront of establishing innovative programs. In response to the overdose epidemic which is devastating the region’s most vulnerable individuals, Lookout has increased health services across the Lower Mainland to reduce risk and increase awareness.
- 544 Columbia Street, New Westminster, B.C., V3L 1B1
- Call Us: 604-255-0340
- info@lookoutsociety.ca
Health Services
Health Services
With the goal of providing more health services for guests across British Columbia, Lookout merged with the Mood Disorders Association of British Columbia (MDABC) in 2017. Both Lookout and MDABC have long histories of successfully serving vulnerable populations in multiple communities across the province. Bringing both organizations together provides an even greater continuum of services for guests in need of mental health supports. To learn more about the additional MDABC health services is available under the Lookout umbrella, please visit http://www.mdabc.net/.
Harm Reduction
Harm reduction is an approach or strategy aimed at reducing the risks and harmful effects associated with substance use and addictive behaviours for the individual, community and society as a whole. It is recognized as a realistic, pragmatic, humane and successful approach to addressing substance use issues. Lookout’s harm reduction practices extend beyond safer drug use and include safety planning with women who are involved in survival sex work, as well as providing blankets and other safety supplies to people who choose to sleep outdoors. Lookout’s harm reduction philosophy is fully integrated in every aspect of our continuum of services and builds on the desire to meet guests “where they are at”.
Lookout’s harm reduction philosophy is fully integrated in every aspect of our continuum of services and builds on the desire to meet guests “where they are at.” The Powell Street Getaway in Vancouver, Surrey’s SafePoint and the Harbour Centre in Victoria have been approved by Health Canada to deliver supervised consumption services. Additionally, Lookout operates a number of overdose prevention sites including the Duncan Wellness and Recovery Center and Mobile Health Contact Center in Abbotsford. Lookout’s harm reduction practices help prevent overdose deaths while engaging those who are vulnerable in other health care services, including mental health treatment and withdrawal management. In response to the opioid crisis, Lookout has increased access to harm reduction supplies and education, introduced peer-led substance use programs, and trained all staff in Naloxone reversals. These services have been implemented with support from Vancouver Coastal Health, Fraser Health and Island Health.
Our Harm Reduction Programs
Community Clean Up
Community cleanup programs help address the issue of garbage and abandoned harm reduction paraphernalia while providing a positive image to local community and businesses. By taking on responsibilities, guests gain work experience, training opportunities, and a little pocket money. The work also boosts their self-esteem and brings a sense of belonging. Program participants are required
Infections/Disease Support
Lookout provides support to individuals living with HIV/AIDS or Hep-C to improve their quality of life. Health outcomes are greatly improved when healthy living and good diets are combined with medications. Better outcomes also reduce reliance on the health care system. Lookout provides a series of workshops and ongoing support through Positive Haven Resource Centre,
Mobile Harm Reduction Outreach
Lookout Society’s Mobile Harm Reduction Outreach Teams consist of outreach workers who deliver harm reduction supplies to groups, individuals and organizations throughout Langley, Aldergrove, Delta and White Rock. The goal is simple – build rapport with individuals, foster community partnerships and provide education with people who would not normally attend our services. By listening and
Positive Point
The focus of Positive Point is to reduce the spread of blood born diseases through needle distribution. We serve Tsawwassen, Delta, Surrey, White Rock, Langley, Ladner, and Aldergrove.
STOP Outreach – Vancouver
STOP outreach has a specialized role in supporting individuals living with chronic health conditions including HIV/AIDS and Hep-C, helping connect them with necessary community health supports. Funded by Vancouver Coastal Health, Lookout Society’s Vancouver STOP Outreach team assists guests in locating housing in addition to wraparound health supports. Additionally, this team works with each guest’s new landlords
Supervised Consumption Sites and Overdose Prevention Sites
The Harbour has been approved by Health Canada to deliver supervised consumption services. The Powell Street Getaway, SafePoint and Cowichan Wellness and Recovery Centre are operating as overdose prevention sites under the BC Provincial Ministerial Order. The Harbour is located in Victoria. The Powell Street Getaway is located on the Downtown Eastside, SafePoint is located
Medical Services
Dental Clinic
Lookout operates a two-chair dental clinic to serve those who are unable to access dental treatment otherwise. In addition to providing a range of treatment services, patients are able to access hygiene services to learn about maintaining their oral health. The Dental Clinic is based on a social enterprise model, where costs are offset by
Medical Clinic
Surrey North Community Health Clinic is a free walk-in clinic operated in partnership with Fraser Health Authority for people without medical coverage. An onsite physician and nurse provide confidential medical services to disadvantaged individuals living with chronic illnesses, mental health, addictions and trauma. In addition to medical services, services include harm reduction, take-home Naloxone kits,
Onsite Nursing Supports
Lookout contracts with licensed registered nurses to visit our Vancouver sites to provide onsite medical support to tenants and shelter guests. These medical services include basic First Aid, foot care clinics, physical exams, annual flu vaccinations and health testing, health education and promotion of harm reduction services. The nurses provide clinical support services, particularly to
Y Young Pharmaceutical Support
Lookout partners with YYoung, a licensed pharmacy, to provide prescriptions and oversee medication management at Lookout sites. Working closely with guests and their health teams, Lookout staff provide medication management services. All staff providing medication services must complete training conducted by YYoung.
Peer-to-Peer Programs
Lookout believes in the benefits of peer programming where individuals with lived experience can mentor others, bringing understanding and validity to the benefits of making safer life choices for people struggling with personal challenges. With staff support, peers complete required training and take on responsibilities. For peers, it is an opportunity to earn a stipend and build employment skills while renewing self-respect.
Our Peer-to-Peer Programs Include:
Community Clean Up
Community cleanup programs help address the issue of garbage and abandoned harm reduction paraphernalia while providing a positive image to local community and businesses. By taking on responsibilities, guests gain work experience, training opportunities, and a little pocket money. The work also boosts their self-esteem and brings a sense of belonging. Program participants are required
Djaef Mahler Food Bank
The Djaef Mahler Food Bank is a high protein food bank that supports individuals and families living with HIV and/or Hep C. We work with people who lack access to HIV/AIDS and HCV support services through advocacy, outreach, peer training and harm reduction programs. Djaef Mahler, a talented artist and prolific artist in Vancouver and
Positive Haven
Offering support services to individuals living with HIV, HCV. We connect with people who need HIV/AIDS and Hep-C support services through advocacy, outreach and peer training programs. Positive Haven hosts the world Aids day and world Hepatitis day every year to educate the public about the diseases and their prevalence in the community.
Powell Street Getaway Resource Centre
The Powell Street Getaway offers a variety of structured and unstructured programs to encourage people to participate in social life skills development. The goal is to enhance their ability to create healthy outcomes, leading to a better quality of life. Some of the Powell Street Getaway programs and services include: One main meal, plus snacks daily; Medications administration
Street Sweepers Social Club
Street Sweeper Social Club (SSSC) helps participants rediscover a pride in themselves and in their local community, which fosters a renewal of self-resect and the beginning of reintroduction into society. The SSSC program also assists participants to maintain a routine and creates a history that helps them to access entry level work. Members gain experience
Healthy Food & Food Security
Lookout understands the importance of food security. After housing, a proper diet has one of the biggest impacts on a person’s health. With extremely low income and limited access to cooking facilities, many Lookout guests rely on free meals as the main food source. However, this food is often highly processed and high in carbohydrates, fat and sugar. For people in poverty, good nutrition can drastically improve their health but is expensive to maintain. Lookout sources food donations from local and organic vendors, including our Mission Minimum Garden, in order to use the freshest, most nutritious ingredients possible. Lookout also partners with local foodbanks, volunteers and community agencies to host weekly community kitchens at many Lookout residences where tenants learn how to cook nutritious low-cost meals.
Our Food Programs Include:
Barnston Community Farm
Lookout’s Barnston Island Community Farm provides nutritious food to the community’s most vulnerable. Operated with the support of local partner agency, ‘A Beef with Hunger’ we raise free range cattle to supplement our food programs. Programs benefiting from Barnston include Bread4Life, The Djaef Mahler HIV Food Bank, OWL Other Women’s Lives Program, Julian House, MacMillan Supportive Recovery
Bread4Life
The Bread4Life program provides daily meals to Surrey’s most vulnerable population. Located at the Front Room Resource Centre, volunteers assist with meal service. Community partners regularly donate food and time. Bread4Life Community kitchen support Lookout shelters throughout the community.
Community Kitchen
Lookout facilitates community kitchens at several Lookout residences to encourage tenants to learn about food preparation and partake in community activities and meals. These programs encourage tenant participation and are frequently tenant-led. Meals are culturally relevant and enjoyable for the tenants. Other food programs at our residences include Life Skills Food Programs, Food banks, peer-to-peer
Daily Meal Provision
Lookout provides healthy food daily at our Shelters and Resource Centres as budgets allow. This includes: Emergency shelter kitchens, serving 3 meals and 2 snacks daily; and Resource Centres, serving 5 nutritious snacks daily, while additionally providing emergency food when available. Lookout understands the importance of providing guests with highly nutritious food options. After housing, a
Djaef Mahler Food Bank
The Djaef Mahler Food Bank is a high protein food bank that supports individuals and families living with HIV and/or Hep C. We work with people who lack access to HIV/AIDS and HCV support services through advocacy, outreach, peer training and harm reduction programs. Djaef Mahler, a talented artist and prolific artist in Vancouver and
Mission Community Garden
Lookout partners with Correctional Service of Canada’s Mission Institution to provide locally grown produce for our food programs across the Lower Mainland. Healthy food is critical and often overlooked when serving vulnerable people. In addition to supplementing Lookout’s shelters, resource centres, food bank and community kitchens, excess produce is shared without cost to other non-profit