New Westminster is blessed by a number of community service organizations. One of the longest lived is Fraserside Community Services Society. It started 52 years ago in New Westminster and it has grown and evolved over the years. It plays a very significant role in helping people in this city and surrounding communities.

Susan Millar

Often people don't know what help is available in the community, and part of NewWest.tv's object is to make what's available in this city known. Many individuals fall through the cracks as Executive Director Abry Myhre says in this interview with Susan Millar.

Fraserside is a large multi-service agency that employs over 250 people.. They work to create communities of belonging for those living with developmental disabilities, those who are dealing with mental health or substance abuse issues and those who are vulnerable because of a having a very low income.

Housing vulnerable people is one of their top priorities, as is helping people find jobs, and helping each individual feel that they fit into a community – to belong somewhere. Their impact is large on a societal level and also for many, many individuals on a personal basis.

The scope of Fraserside's operations is broad. To understand its evolution, is to know that Fraserside has three main funding sources.

First, the Community Living Society of BC. Their constituency is the developmentally challenged. It arose several decades ago in New Westminster when parents wanted their children out of the disreputable institution in the city known as Woodlands and CLS has since expanded province-wide.

The Fraser Health Authority. It is the body that governs all of the hospitals in the Eastern region of the Lower Mainland up to and including Hope. It also is in charge of many of the community care programs in the area. It is the largest health authority in BC.

Then there is BC Housing, a provincial crown agency involved in building subsidized housing for people with low incomes.