A non-profit empowering women’s health, recovery, and resilience through holistic care and community support.
OUR VISION
Women Helping Women Heal
OUR PHILOSOPHY
To support women’s health, wellness, healing and recovery with empathy and knowledge
OUR MISSION
Chrysalis Society will ensure the provision of:
A) structured, low barrier programming with a continuum of care that demonstrates through education and holistic practices how to live in recovery
B) housing in safe, supportive, home-like environments in which self-identified women, including trans women, with the support of professional staff can empower themselves to learn new ways of living
C) support for women to heal from oppression, poverty and violence and increase mental health resilience
D) support for women seeking community-based resources to address their individual needs and advocacy for equality of services for women in recovery
Chrysalis Society group homes
Explore our accomplishments, impact, and progress in our Annual General Reports, showcasing our journey over the years.
Chrysalis Society group homes
Since 1988, Chrysalis has supported thousands of women. The impacts of women’s successful outcomes within recovery extend beyond individuals to include reunification with children, family and community: healing for one is healing for many. We remain dedicated to supporting the processes underpinning these evolutions.
Covid 19 continues to challenge all recovery homes and Chrysalis has responded by updating policies and procedures to keep all the women and staff in our homes safe. With help from Reaching Home Foundation and Vancouver Foundation, Chrysalis purchased a new passenger van and upgraded computer technology in each of our homes to facilitate virtual learning and socializing.
Chrysalis was also awarded funding for our 6 beds at New Day from the Canadian Mental Health Association. We designed a 2nd Stage program for Indigenous women in a culturally sensitive and safe environment as they transition from 1st Stage programs to the community.
In April 2020, Chrysalis implemented emergency response policies and procedures around Covid 19. The women in our homes adapted to a new recovery experience with all self-help groups, counselling sessions and outside programming shifted to online platforms. Operating at 90% capacity, we were able to avoid any outbreaks with the support and resolve of our committed staff.
Chrysalis continued to upgrade each home including beautiful yards/landscaping, creating healing gardens for the women to enjoy. The alumnae network continues to expand on Facebook and women are able to connect and support each other after leaving our programs.
In 2018, Chrysalis celebrated our 30th anniversary with a luncheon that featured speakers such as Gabor Mate, a world renowned addictions expert, and Don Davies, Member of Parliament for Vancouver Kingsway.
As homeowners, Chrysalis completed extensive interior and exterior renovations to New Dawn after successful fundraising. With BC Housing’s support, we purchased New Way and upgraded the home’s interior with significant renovations. With support from Central City Foundation, Chrysalis renovated the kitchen and interior of New Day.
With Homelessness Partnering Strategy funding, Chrysalis purchased New Dawn. Two years later, Chrysalis successfully secured funding from Pacifica Family Addiction Foundation and purchased New Day.
With the support of Social Venture Partners, Chrysalis redesigned its administrative infrastructure, launched a new website and social media platforms.
Sheila Nyman resigned and her successor, Shannon Skilton, stepped in as the Society’s new Executive Director. Chrysalis Society’s continuum of care was streamlined to increase accessibility for women. Intake, screening, and admission processes/guidelines for all three programs were honed to meet women’s needs more efficiently.
In 2005, New Way became fully operational as a separate third-stage transitional program for women who had moved through New Dawn & New Day. To meet the organization’s increasing administrative demands, in 2006 the Society secured a stand-alone location for a head office.
Envisioning a three-stage program for women that would fully encompass and support all stages of recovery, the Society developed a third-stage program that would augment New Dawn and New Day.
The Society partnered with BC Housing to provide mobile housing subsidies for private, market housing to women who completed New Day and who demonstrated readiness for inter-dependent living.
New Dawn became a licensed Adult-Care Facility through the Vancouver-Richmond Health Board.
New Dawn earned community respect as a credible and effective support recovery program for marginalized women after fostering a decade of positive outcomes. The Society pursued Government funding and licensing.
Sheila Nyman began to volunteer at New Dawn – the beginning of what became her fourteen years of her dedicated involvement with the organization.
New Day became fully operational as a separate second stage home for women who completed the first-stage program at New Dawn.
New Dawn housed many women who were able to achieve lengthy abstinence with ongoing support. Recognizing the gap in services for women exiting New Dawn, the Society developed a second-stage program to provide continued supports for women.
Chrysalis Society was incorporated and the first recovery home, New Dawn, was founded by Jane, Joanne & many passionate, dedicated volunteers. New Dawn functioned as a safe, sober, peer-led, women-only home for women in early recovery.
Envisioning safe, clean & sober and gender specific support recovery outside the DTES for women needing help to heal and recover from addiction, violence, poverty and exploitation, Jane Davis & Joanne Leroux volunteer immeasurable time and energy to form a non-profit Society. Jane and Joanne’s tireless efforts formed our first Board of Directors; secured a home, recruited a dedicated group of volunteers and elicited donations for furniture and supplies.
Chrysalis Society acknowledges that it is situated on the unceded traditional territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam Indian Band), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish Nation), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh Nation)
