• Fraser Health
  Acquired Brain Injury Program
  Jerry Stanger, Program Coordinator
  #200-218 Blue Mountain Street
  Coquitlam, BC V3K 4H2
  Tel: 604 933 2050
• Vancouver Coastal Health Authority
  Community Brain Injury Program
  Program Coordinator
  4255 Laurel Street
  Vancouver, BC V5Z 2G9
  Tel: 604 737 6335
• Vancouver Coastal Health Authority
  BC Neuro Psychiatry Program
  University of BC
  Peter Dawson
  2255 Westbrook Mall
  Vancouver, BC V6T 2A1
  Tel: 604 822 7369
• Vancouver Island Health Authority
  Brain Injury Program
  Judith Armstrong, Program Coordinator
  1952 Bay Street (Memorial Pavilion)
  Victoria, BC V8R 1J8
  Tel: 250 370 8455
• Northern Health Authority
  Jana Pirsel, Program Coordinator
  Acquired Brain Injury Program
  1444 Edmonton Street
  Prince George, BC V2M 6W5
  Tel: 250 565 7473
• Interior Health Authority
  Acquired Brain Injury Program
  Debra Preston, Clinical Leader
  220-1815 Kirschner Road
  Kelowna, BC, V1Y 4N7
  Tel: 250 870 4662
• Community Brain Injury Program for Children and Youth in BC
  604 451 5511 or 1 877 451 5511
  

• BC Bus Pass Program: 1 866 866 0800
  This is an annual transit pass for low income seniors or those receiving income assistance for persons with a disability.
• BC Translink Customer Information and Bus Route Schedules: Provides bus, skytrain, west coast express and seabus rates and information.  Their website also has a handy trip planner to help you find your way to and from a destination point.  Please go to: www.translink.bc.ca
• GVTA HandyCard and Taxi Saver Program: 604-453-4634.
  For residents of the GVTA Transportation Service Region who have a HandyCard (a photo identity card issued by TransLink). A person is eligible for HandyCard if he or she has a permanent physical or mental disability that prevents the use of regular public transit without assistance.  Your HandyCard entitles you to Concession fares on the Bus, SkyTrain, SeaBus, West Vancouver Transit and West Coast Express.  An attendant who accompanies and assists a HandyCard holder is eligible to travel free.  Please go to: http://www.translink.bc.ca/Transportation_Services/Accessibility/HandyCard_TaxiSaver.asp
• Handy Dart: Public transit service which uses specially equipped vehicles designed to carry passengers with special needs who are unable to use public transit without assistance.  For more information, including application form and office locations and contact information, please go to: http://www.translink.bc.ca/Transportation_Services/Accessibility/handydart.asp
  Vancouver: 604 430 2742
  North Vancouver, West Vancouver, and Bowen Island: 604 980 3691
  Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows: 604 462 8522
  Richmond: 604 279 7090
  Surrey: 604 591 3346
  New Westminster, Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam, Burnaby and Port Moody: 604 524 3655
• Social Planning and Research Council of BC: 604 718 7744
  Parking Permit for people with disabilities.
• BC Ferries: If you are a resident of British Columbia and have a permanent disability, reduced fares are available, but you must have a BC Ferries Disabled Status I.D. card.  Please go to: www.bcferries.com
  

• Greater Food Bank Society: 604 876 3601
  Provides food assistance throughout Vancouver, Burnaby, New Westminster, and the North Shore.
  
• Low Cost delivered meals:
  Burnaby Meals on Wheels: 604 299 5778
  Delta Meals on Wheels: 604 946 9526
  New Westminster Meals on Wheels: 604 524 0516
  North Shore Meals on Wheels: 604 922 3414
  Surrey-North Delta Meals on Wheels: 604 588 6325
  Vancouver Meals on Wheels: 604 732 7638
  PoCo Meals on Wheels: 604 942 7506
  Maple Ridge Meals on Wheels: 604 467 6911

Subsidised Housing:

• BC Housing: Develops, manages and administers a wide range of
  subsidised housing options across the province. Information Line: 1 800
  257 7756. Please go to: www.bchousing.org
  
• Lookout Emergency Aid Society: provide emergency, transitional
  and supportive housing for the shelterless and people with
  disabilities.
  For more information contact: 604 255-0340. Please go to: www.lookoutsociety.bc.ca
  
• Salvation Army British Columbia Division: provide a variety of
  shelters and safe houses, as well as a multitude of other emergency
  services. For more information please contact: 604 299 3908. Please go
  to: bc.salvationarmy.ca
  
• Seniors Housing Information Program: provides information on
  housing for seniors and people with disabilities living in the Lower
  Mainland. For more information contact: 604 520 6621. Please go to: www.seniorshousing.bc.ca
  
• Shelter Net BC: provides a list of shelters prepared by the
  Cold/Wet Weather Strategy, within the Lower Mainland. For more
  information go to: http://shelternetbc.ca/CWWS-index.htm
  

• Residential Tenancy Office: 604 660 3456                                                                                                     
  The Residential Tenancy Branch provides landlords and tenants with information and dispute resolution services. The information on this web site will help you understand your rights and responsibilities under British Columbia's Residential Tenancy Act and Manufactured Home Park Tenancy Act.  Please go to: http://www.rto.gov.bc.ca
• Tenancy Rights Action Coalition: 604 255 0546                                                                  
  provide legal information for tenants, publications, tenant hotline, and the "Tenant Survival Guide."                       
  Please go to: www.tenants.bc.ca
• Community Housing Services: 604-590-RENT (7368)                                                                                   
  provides information about the Residential Tenancy Act. Self-referral. Free service.
• The Advocacy Office: 604-683-4287  Offers information and referral, crisis help, assistance in accessing welfare and other services, and help with welfare tribunals, landlord/tenant problems, and Residential Tenancy Office (RTO) arbitrations. Clients may drop in, but scheduled appointments are preferred.  Please go to: www.stpaulsanglican.bc.ca/advocacy

• BC Coalition Advocacy Access Program for CPP Disability and Persons
  with Disability income issues: 604 872 1278 or 1 800 663 1278. Please
  go to: www.bccpd.bc.ca
  
• The Advocacy Office: Saint Paul's Advocacy Office offers a variety of advocacy services 604 683 4287
  
• ABI Outreach Services: 604 603 7592 Assists individuals who are living with the effects of a brain injury with a variety of short term community support issues
• First United Church: 604 681 8365
• Newton Advocacy:This program provides information and referral services for people accessing Provincial Income Assistance Programs. Public education about the rights and responsibilities of Income Assistance recipients is provided on an individual basis and in workshop settings 604 596 2311
• Neighbourhood Helpers Outreach Project: Does outreach and community development work with seniors and people with disabilities in the Downtown South. Provides support for people in single resident occupancy hotels or social housing, and assists with advocacy and organizing for health, housing, and other issues604-688-6851
• Shiloh-Sixth Avenue United Church: Hospitality Project-offer advocacy services Monday 6-8pm, Tuesday 9:45am-1:30pm, Wednesday 9:45am-1:30pm.  Phone: 604 522 3443
• Ombudsman of BC: takes inquiries and complaints about the services and practices of public agencies 1 800 567 3247

Information Services:

• Information Services Vancouver: provides a comprehensive
  directory of community, social and government resources in the Lower
  Mainland please go to the Red Book Online at:
  http://www2.vpl.vancouver.bc.ca/dbs/redbook/htmlpgs/home.html
  604 875 6381
  
• Disability Resource Centre: 604 232 2404. Please go to: www.drcrichmond.ca
  
• Lower Mainland Brain Injury Association: 604 521 0833

• Burnaby Information and Community Services Society: provide information to community resources and produces a free Community Resource Guide 604 299 5778.  Please go to: www.burnabyinfo.com

Help Lines:

• Problem Gambling Helpline: 1 888 795 6111
  
• Alcohol and Drug Information and Referral Service: 604 660 9382
  Or 1 800 663 1441
  
• Victim Link: 1 800 563 0808
  
• Crisis Intervention and Suicide Prevention Centre of BC: (Greater Vancouver) 604-872-3311
  (Howe Sound and Sunshine Coast) 1-866-661-3311
  (BC Wide) 1-800-SUICIDE (784-2433)
  The Distress Line provides confidential, non-judgmental, free emotional support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for people experiencing feelings of distress or despair, including feelings which may lead to suicide. We are here for you if you're worried about something, feel upset or confused, or you just want to talk to someone. You don't have to be suicidal to call us.
  
• Youth in BC Distress Hotline: Lower Mainland: 604.872.3311 or Toll Free: 1.866.661.3311
  The Crisis Centre is a professional and caring organization staffed by counsellors and trained volunteers who are committed to helping youths in crisis.
  
• SAFER (Suicide Attempt Counselling Services): Tel: 604.879.9251
  Provides support and counselling for individuals, aged 13 and up, who exhibit suicidal behavior, and for people whose lives have been affected by suicide.
  
• NEED Crisis and Information Line: (services Greater Victoria, Port Renfrew, and Toll free from the Southern Gulf Islands (1-866-386-6323) on the west coast of British Columbia, Canada)  24 Hour Line: (250) 386-6323
  Youth Line (4pm-10pm): (250) 386-TALK (8255)
  For immediate emotional support, crisis intervention, and/or information on community resources.

• MADD Canada: free support and resources for vicitms of impaired driving 604 515 9212
• Victim Link: is a province-wide telephone help line for victims of family and sexual violence, and all other crimes BC Toll free: 1 800 563 0808 available 24hours/day, 7 days/week
• Battered Women Support Services: provides free support services for any woman who has been abused in an intimate relationship as an adult. The abuse may be emotional, physical, sexual or financial. Our services are available over the phone or in person. All services are provided by trained counsellor/advocates For more information or to make an appointment, call 604-687-1867 (we accept collect calls) or email http://www.directservices@bwss.org
• WAVAW: providing sexual assault support services to women 14 years of age and older, in Greater Vancouver for 23 years. We are open and accessible to all women survivors of violence. We operate within a feminist and anti-oppression framework, and are committed to non-violence. WAVAW Office: 604.255.6228 (Monday through Friday, 9am-5pm), 24-hour Crisis Line: (604) 255-6344 , Toll-Free Crisis Line: 1 (877) 392-7583
• BC Coalition to Eliminate Abuse of Seniors: province-wide forum for individuals, seniors, community agencies and organizations, government and policy makers. We work together to eliminate the abuse of seniors TOLL FREE Telephone: 1-866-437-1940 , Local Telephone: (604) 437-1940

• Senior Citizens Repair Services: provide a variety of repair services to low income seniors and people with a disability 604 291 1133

• WRAGS Clothing and Exchange: free mattresses and box springs 604 214 0613
• BC Digital Divide: provide the opportunity to get a computer to those who would otherwise not be able to afford one Web site:  www.bcdigitaldivide.org
• Opportunities for the Disabled Foundation: Our programs are designed to help provide physically challenged Individuals to acquire their special needs medical and computer equipment. The programs that we operate are on a permanent for loan basis. We receive donated equipment, recycle it and then redistribute it to those in need 604-437-7780
  Toll Free anywhere in North America at: 1.888.242.7202
• Union Gospel Mission: Union Gospel Mission is committed to caring for the hungry, hurting and homeless of Greater Vancouver through: 604 253 3323

  • Emergency meals and clothing
  • Shelter for those without resources
  • Pastoral and chaplain services
  • Proven drug and alcohol recovery
  • Innovative learning center
  • Community outreach to men, women, families, children and youth
  • Long-term housing solutions
  • Low cost Thrift Stores
•  First United Church: One-on-one ministry of staff and volunteers. Services include; free phone, showers, toiletries, fax, receiving and sending out mail, photocopying, message board, refer to other agencies, letter writing, phone messages,pews and floors to sleep and rest on, Helping with welfare problems, appeals, housing, OAS, etc, 12 months of the year assisting persons on low income to file tax returns, VCC Literacy Classes, WISH (Women’s Information & Safe House), LUMS (Lutheran Urban Mission Society), Street Nurse Tel: 604 681-8365
• Downtown Eastside Womens' Centre: provide for basic needs and to work toward positive change for women and children in the Downtown Eastside of Vancouver Tel: (604) 681-8480
• Salvation Army Family Services:  The Army cares for people at their crisis point. Emergency assistance is provided in the form of clothing, food, accommodation, life skills enhancement and counseling New Westminster Centre Tel: 604-521-2421, Vancouver Community and Family Services Tel: 604-872-7676, Surrey Family Services Tel: 604-507-4860, North Vancouver Centre Tel: 604-988-7225, Maple Ridge Centre Tel: 604-463-8296
• New Westminster Cobbler Homeless Shoe Program: takes people's old, discarded and unwanted shoes and repairs them - if they're not beyond hope. The newly rejuvenated shoes are then donated to church or community organizations that help homeless people, supplying them with footwear 604 526 6926

• Health and Seniors' Information Line
  1-800-465-4911
  Victoria: (250) 952-1742
  Provides general information about Ministry of Health programs, services and initiatives and about health and non-health services for British Columbia seniors. The line also provides information to B.C. residents regarding cardiac care services, cancer diagnostic and treatment services, organ transplant programs, hospital funding and other related health care initiatives. The line can be accessed provincewide and operates from 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Monday to Friday. Callers will get a recorded message during off-hours.

• AIDS Hotline:
  1-800-661-4337
  Provides information regarding modes of transmission, signs and symptoms, testing, treatment and prevention. This is a 24 hour line.

• Alcohol & Drug Information & Referral Service
  1-800-663-1441
  Lower Mainland: (604) 660-9382
  Provides information and referral services for people across B.C. needing help with any kind of substance abuse. Includes information and referral to education, prevention and treatment services and regulatory agencies.

• Ambulance Billing Service
  1-800-665-7199
  Victoria: 250-952-1921
  Provides Information on ambulance billing and costs. The line will operate from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday to Friday.

• 24 Hour BC Nurseline:
  1-866-215-4700
  Vancouver: (604) 215-4700
  Deaf and hearing-impaired
  toll-free province-wide: 1-866-TTY-4700
  Puts you in touch with a Registered Nurse who will answer your questions about:

  • symptoms
  • health concerns
  • recommended course of action
  • when to see a health professional
  • further health resources 
    
    

• Dial-A-Dietitian
  1-800-667-3438
  Greater Vancouver: (604) 732-9191
  specializes in easy-to-use nutrition information for self-care, based on current scientific sources. Our registered dietitians can provide brief nutrition consultation by phone. If you need more in-depth counselling, they will guide you to hospital outpatient dietitians, community nutritionists or other nutrition services in your community. This service does not replace the medical counsel of your doctor.
  Translation services are available in 130 languages.

• Eating Disorders Resource Centre
  1-800-665-1822
  Vancouver: (604) 806-9000
  A non-profit information, referral and education service that works to address the problems of people with eating disorders and their families, friends and concerned health professionals.

• Food and Nutrition Information
  1-800-667-DIET
  Greater Vancouver: (604) 732-9191
  Provides information on food and nutrition from professional dietitians. The line will operate from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday to Friday.

• BC Health Files
  The BC HealthFiles are easy-to-understand fact sheets on over 180 health and safety topics such as: common illnesses, environmental health concerns, problems with pests, and health and safety tips. They are regularly updated with the latest BC health advice
  The Health Files are available at: http://www.bchealthguide.org/healthfiles/index.stm

• Medical Services Plan Subscriber Information
  1-800-663-7100
  Vancouver: (604) 683-7151
  Victoria: (250) 382-8406
  Automated service providing enrollment and premium information and answers to frequently asked questions. Service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

• 24 Hour PharmaCare (including the Fair PharmaCare Plan) Line
  1-800-663-7100
  Vancouver: 604) 683-7151
  General PharmaCare enquiries: Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Saturday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
  Fair PharmaCare plan registration is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week

• Poison Control Centre
  1-800-567-8911
  Vancouver Emergency: (604) 682-5050
  Vancouver Non-Emergency: (604) 682-2344
  Provides information on poisons and treatment.

• Screening Mammography Information Line
  1-800-663-9203
  Vancouver: (604) 660-3639
  Provides general information on the province's breast screening program for women over 40.
  The line will operate from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday to Friday.

• 24 Hour Sexually Transmitted Disease (STDs) Line
  1-800-661-4337
  Provides information similar to the AIDS hotline on sexually transmitted diseases.

• Travel Assistance Program (TAP)
  1-800-661-2668
  Provides information for British Columbia residents who are enrolled in the Medical Services Plan, whose medical travel expenses are not covered by third party insurance plans or government programs, and who receive a physician's referal to travel for medical care services insured by MSP. The services the patient is travelling for must NOT be available in their home community and the referral must be to the closest site.
  Travel requests can be processed 7 days a week, 24 hours a day using the automated system. The system may be unavailable some weekends due to system maintenance

• Brain Tumor Foundation of Canada: provide one to one information and support through their toll free, Canada wide phone line.  Offer brain tumor support group meetings held monthly across the country, and free patient resource handbooks.  Please contact: 519 642 7755 or toll free: 1 800 265 5106.  Please go to: www.braintumor.ca
• Canadian Cancer Society: for information about metastatic brain tumors, meningiomas, or pituitary adenomas please call: 1 888 939 3333.  Please go to: www.cancer.ca

• Balance and Dizziness Disorders Society: provide information and support for persons with balance, dizziness, and all vestibular disorders and to develop awareness of associated issues.  Please contact: (voicemenal) 604 878 8383 or toll free: 1 866 780 2233.  Please go to: www.balanceanddizziness.org