Forward House Community Society

06/10/2026

Don't miss this wonderful opportunity to attend a FREE educational session about communication and self awareness on Friday, June 19, 2026 that is lead by an expert clinician. Send us a message, send an email: [email protected], or give me a call to register or learn more: 250-927-7045. Everyone is welcome.

Our quest for community education and connection continues!

Join us for an engaging and interactive workshop exploring the Johari Window—a powerful tool for building self-awareness, strengthening communication, and fostering meaningful relationships.

WHEN: Friday, June 19, 2026
WHERE: Forward House, 136 Hirst Ave E
TIME: 6:00 pm

Through guided reflection and interactive discussion, participants will gain insight into how they see themselves, how others experience them, and how openness, trust, and constructive feedback can deepen personal and professional connections.

Whether you are looking to enhance your relationships, improve communication skills, or gain a greater understanding of yourself, this workshop offers valuable tools and practical takeaways in a supportive and welcoming environment.

Come learn, connect, and grow with us as we continue building a stronger, more compassionate community together.

For more information or to register, please contact Bonnie Bartlett: 250-927-7045 or [email protected]

06/10/2026

It was such a pleasure welcoming members of the Parksville - Qualicum Foundation team into the heart and home of Forward House this morning.

We shared meaningful conversations about the vital role local organizations play in providing valuable services to our community, and about what makes Forward House such a unique and important place for our members.

To make the morning even more special, they arrived with a generous cheque for $3,000! This gift will go a long way in helping Forward House continue to keep our doors open!

Thank you for your generosity and commitment to strengthening our community. We are truly grateful for your support. ❤️

06/06/2026

Yesterday, we were so fortunate to visit The Shrubbers and stroll through their beautiful gardens and grounds.

We are incredibly grateful to Elsje and Brad for supporting our "Planting the Seed of Hope" spring campaign by generously donating $1 from every sale between March and May to help support the sustainability of Forward House.

Thank you both from the bottom of our hearts for your kindness, generosity, and commitment to supporting mental health in our community.

Thanks to your support—and the support of everyone who chose to shop local—we raised an incredible $2,826 for Forward House!

Hope truly does grow right here in our own community. 🌱💚🌱💚

06/04/2026

We are incredibly grateful to Norms Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning for their ongoing support of Forward House and the people we serve.

Join us at the Norm's Coffee Takeover at Café 356 on Saturday, June 20, and enjoy a free coffee courtesy of Norm's! While you're there, be sure to browse the fantastic silent auction items. Every bid helps make a difference, with 100% of the proceeds supporting Forward House.

Come enjoy a coffee, connect with the community, and help support mental health and addiction recovery in our region. We hope to see you there! ☕💚

06/03/2026

Our quest for community education and connection continues!

Join us for an engaging and interactive workshop exploring the Johari Window—a powerful tool for building self-awareness, strengthening communication, and fostering meaningful relationships.

WHEN: Friday, June 19, 2026
WHERE: Forward House, 136 Hirst Ave E
TIME: 6:00 pm

Through guided reflection and interactive discussion, participants will gain insight into how they see themselves, how others experience them, and how openness, trust, and constructive feedback can deepen personal and professional connections.

Whether you are looking to enhance your relationships, improve communication skills, or gain a greater understanding of yourself, this workshop offers valuable tools and practical takeaways in a supportive and welcoming environment.

Come learn, connect, and grow with us as we continue building a stronger, more compassionate community together.

For more information or to register, please contact Bonnie Bartlett: 250-927-7045 or [email protected]

05/22/2026

SEE YOU SATURDAY!
Everyone is welcome to attend this important Community Forum on Saturday, May 23, 2026 at Knox United Church. Come learn more about mental health and addiction recovery, hear meaningful conversations around hope and healing, and discover how you can be part of the solution.

05/20/2026

We are incredibly grateful to Norms Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning for their generous support of Forward House and for the meaningful role they continue to play in our community.

Businesses like Norm’s remind us what community truly looks like — neighbours helping neighbours, giving back, and investing in the wellbeing of others. Their kindness and commitment help make it possible for Forward House to continue providing hope, connection, and support to those facing mental health and addiction challenges.

Thank you for being not only an outstanding local business, but also a caring community partner. Your generosity and community spirit make a real difference.

Congratulations on giving back $100,000 to those who need it most!

05/12/2026

We had such a great time having real and meaningful conversations about mental health, addiction recovery, and hope with Dave Graham from thepulsecommunity Podcast.

Have a listen as we explore some of these important conversations surrounding mental health and addiction recovery, and the power of connection, resilience, and community.

If you’d like to continue the conversation and learn more, we invite you to join us at our upcoming Community Forum at Knox United Church - Parksville, BC on Saturday, May 23, 2026.

Everyone is welcome!
https://shorturl.at/wKzKp

PULSE PODCAST: Forward House: Recovery, Community, Hope & Tom Sewid: Vancouver Island Sasquatch Investigator

LISTEN HERE: https://bit.ly/S2EP34PulsePodcast

(31:11) Tom Sewid grew up in Alert Bay and attended high school in Qualicum Beach. Decades as a hunting guide and commercial fisherman along the BC coast gave Tom something few Sasquatch investigators can claim - a lifetime of direct encounters. He’s heading to the Comox Valley for Squatch Watch Vancouver Island 2026 this month. On the podcast, Tom shares encounters from his first childhood sighting with his father near Campbell River, to a night on Village Island watching two Sasquatches by spotlight for over an hour. https://experiencecomoxvalley.ca/festival-event/squatch-watch-2026-vancouver-island/

(07:48) Jeff Vircoe a Canadian Forces veteran, former journalist, and man in long-term recovery - walked into a meeting in 1986 and never looked back. Today he serves as president of Forward House. Bonnie Bartlett, public relations director, brings her own family experience to the work and speaks candidly about stigma and hope. Together they preview the May 23rd Public Education Forum at Knox United Church. https://www.forwardhouse.com/

Do you know someone whose life has been shaped by Forward House or a similar recovery program?

Have you ever had an unexplained encounter in the bush on Vancouver Island?

Share your thoughts and tag someone who should hear this episode!

The PULSE Community website: ThePulseCommunity.ca

You’ll find all episodes of The PULSE Podcast on Apple, Spotify, Amazon, iHeart, TikTok, and YouTube, as well as ThePulseCommunity.ca.

Episode Sponsors:

Tablet Pharmacy: https://bit.ly/TabletPharmacy
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Check out Skookum Kid’s Stories on Apple, Spotify, Amazon, iHeart, and YouTube, as well as SkookumKids.com.

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05/11/2026

There’s still time to join us for this important community conversation.

Everyone is welcome as we come together to talk openly about mental health, addiction recovery, hope, resilience, and healing. Featuring keynote presenter Dr. Ian King along with an incredible panel of experts and lived-experience voices, this interactive forum is an opportunity to learn, connect, and be part of the conversation that matters.

Whether you are personally impacted, supporting a loved one, work in the field, or simply care about building a healthier community — we invite you to join us.

Together, we can help break stigma and plant the seeds of hope and recovery.

Walk ins welcomed or pre-register here: https://shorturl.at/wKzKp

02/14/2026

Pretty sure our hearts grew three sizes this Valentines Day as Choices Market presented Forward House with a cheque for $3800 as the recipient of their Star of the Season program.

Thank you to our amazing community for supporting us and congratulations to Choices on your remarkable 35th Anniversary celebration. We are extremely grateful for all you do! ❤️🙏