From At-Risk Seniors on the North Shore:

I want to say thank you for all what you have done to get me on a path that has been so rewarding,  so life saving  and so dear to my heart. This has been a special decade, and basically you saved my life in many ways. Most important – I’ve been really happy. Thank you!

Honestly, there is nothing but the best we have seen from Hollyburn. It’s reassuring that people like you exist in this world. My family and I are very thankful for everything you have done and wish you nothing but the best. 

As a Farsi-speaking senior facing language barriers, disability, and financial hardship, finding stable housing felt impossible. With the support of an HCSS outreach worker, I was able to secure social housing — a life-changing milestone.
Her practical guidance, efficiency, and compassion made an enormous difference to my mental health. Knowing someone was navigating the system with me reduced my stress and gave me hope when I needed it most.

I am a senior of 73 years of age, living by myself and unfortunately estranged from my family, I began falling through the cracks socially in 2011. I am so grateful for what Hollyburn has done to help. We had many meetings, and close to where I live so it was not a hardship for me to get there. This brings me to Christmas and I want thank you sincerely for what you all have done for me. I am so thankful. Merry Christmas! I don’t know what might have happened to me without your services.

Hollyburn Family Service Society has been a great help in our time of extreme need due to cancer. If not for great services, my wife and I would still be living on the street.

Story from a Mother – North Shore Youth Safe House:

I am writing this letter in response to my firsthand experience with the North Shore Youth Safe House. Over the past year my son had the occasion to stay [there] several times, for lengthy periods of time.

I cannot express my deep gratitude for the compassionate, professional care and shelter provided by the North Shore Youth Safe House staff. Knowing that there was a safe, clean place on the North Shore where my son could go was such a relief to our family. Having a Youth Safe House located on the North Shore allowed my son to continue going to school and maintain contact with his friends. He would not have gone to a facility anywhere else in the Lower Mainland. The safe house was like a “home” for my son when he could not be with us.

I had the pleasure of meeting and speaking with the staff at North Shore Youth Safe House on many occasions. I always found the staff to be caring, supportive and knowledgeable. The Safe House gave our family so much more than just shelter for my son.

I honestly do not know how our family would have coped without their ongoing assistance and support.