About Watari Youth Community and Family Services |
Watari is a small registered non-profit organization with a volunteer Board of Directors.
Our primary mission is to facilitate positive change in the lives of at-risk children, youth, their families and communities in the Downtown Eastside and the Greater Vancouver/Richmond areas.
Watari was registered as a charitable society in June 1986 as a small scale service offering individualized support services to high risk youth from mobile offices (cars). We then began operating out of RayCam Community Center in the Downtown Eastside of Vancouver in 1989.
Watari now has three permanent locations in East Vancouver and operates 5 ongoing programs. Members of the community who access our services identify that substance misuse has been a problem in their own lives or in the lives of their families.
For a more detailed history of the agency, see Watari: a brief history . |
Agency Objectives |
-
To provide opportunities that allow clients to see themselves as competent and capable.
-
To deliver respectful, client-centred services.
-
To empower clients by supporting relationships with other appropriate service providers and community members.
-
To work within a community development model in order to address personal and collective change.
-
To promote and participate actively in case management.
-
To work collaboratively when providing prevention and education programs in response to community identified need.
-
To develop and deliver accessible, community based training/education programs.
|
|
Mission Statement |
|
At WATARI, our mission is to facilitate positive change in at-risk children, youth, families and communities through the design and delivery of innovative services. |
Philosophy |
|
WATARI's philosophy is based on a belief in the individual's innate strengths, capabilities and desire for wellness. With an improved understanding of self and education about lifestyle options, a person can make life-affirming choices - regardless of past or present circumstances. |
Statement of Diversity and Inclusion |
|
 Watari embraces diversity as an integral part of being a caring community. We are committed to building and maintaining a diverse, accessible, civil and supportive environment by including diversity of religion, gender, ethnicity, race, sexual orientation, disability, age and socioeconomic class.
 To this end, we will make positive efforts to reach out to groups that have traditionally been under-represented and who can enrich and be enriched by their experience at Watari.
At Watari we do not tolerate harassment and other behaviours that infringe on the freedom and respect that every individual deserves. |
Governance |
Watari has a volunteer Board of Directors who meet every 2 months (?) to oversee the operations of the agency.
The Board of Directors consists of individuals who have an interest in supporting or improving services for youth and families affected by substance misuse and oppression in the Vancouver area.
If you are interested in finding out about our existing Board, or if you are considering becoming a member of the Board of Directors, please contact us for more information at info@watari.org.
|
|
