REACH Community Health Centre

08/28/2026

Henna, embroidery, live music, and the scent of perfume in the air. The Middle Eastern Bazaar is back and bringing the vibrancy of Middle Eastern culture right to our backyard!

Join us Friday, September 4, 10:30 am–4:30 pm at Margaret Mitchell Plaza for a day celebrating the talent and creativity of Arabic and Middle Eastern women in our community. There will be a market, Arabic clothing, resin art, free henna painting, live music, and dance performances by Egyptian folkloric belly dancer Radwa Nasr, and Adalat Omar and her dance group.

A special thank you to Vancity for funding and Britannia Community Services Centre for our partnership💛

Come and immerse yourself in rich cultural sights and sounds with us! This event is free to attend, and all are welcome.

08/27/2026

The Indigenous Women's Gathering Group is a space to reconnect to culture, enjoy meals together, and be creative in a comfortable space.

At the last gathering, the group enjoyed local berries and prepared cedar medicine to open the evening. They then crafted beautiful dream catchers, following a homemade chili and rice meal. Each item they make is steeped in cultural tradition and immersed in the medicine and energy of the evening. Every meeting offers an opportunity to nurture spirit and wellbeing.

If you are curious about learning more or would like to join, email [email protected]

08/25/2026

65–75% of fatal overdoses happen when using alone. Help to change this story with us at our our fourth annual International Overdose Awareness Day event. This Thursday, August 27th, join REACH, in partnership with Community Action Initiative, Vancouver Coastal Health, Frog Hollow Neighbourhood House, Peak House, The Kettle Society and SMART Recovery Association - Canada.

The event will open with blessing, drumming, and sage Smudging by Elder Russel (Rusty) Edmonds.

Learn about harm reduction and REACH programming, ask questions, connect with community and try the Healing Stones activity.

Together we heal, and together we can work to prevent accidental overdose. We hope to see you 🩷

08/23/2026

📢 Service Notice
Due to scheduled network maintenance, REACH UPCC and the REACH Sexual Health Clinic will close at 8:00 PM on Monday, August 24.

Thank you for your patience and understanding.

08/20/2026

We are so pleased to have Denise Johnson, from Ditidaht First Nation (Nuu- Chah-Nulth Tribal Council), working with us as the new Indigenous Health Promoter at REACH. In a short time, Denise has already met with many community members and partners and created lasting connections.

She can support Indigenous community members with advocacy, navigating barriers within health care, or accessing health services and resources. You can also catch Denise with JB on Thursday evenings as part of the Indigenous Women’s Gathering Group. Reach out to her if you would like to book an appointment at [email protected]

08/18/2026

We welcomed Indigenous Knowledge Keeper David Arnault – Maskwa Maskihkey Napew (Bear Medicine Man), Nehiyaw from Ahkakoop Cree Nation, to REACH for an unforgettable lunch and learn. David shared his story of recovery, Cree songs, and cultural teachings before leading us through the art of screen printing.

Each year, REACH marks International Overdose Awareness Day through resources, outreach, and community gathering, grounded in the message that no one is alone. David showed us how to press our logo onto the t-shirts, sharing his own journey and the work he does reconnecting people to culture and walking the Red Path.

This year's shirts feel especially meaningful. Thank you, David, for everything you shared with us. We encourage you to follow his business and journey here: http://facebook.com/profile.php?id=61577251804878

08/14/2026

Please note: all REACH departments will open at 10 am this Monday, August 17, due to a scheduled power outage by BC Hydro. We will not have access to phones or emails during this time. Normal service will resume after.

Thank you for your patience!

08/13/2026

We have been enjoying 'Caring for Our Children', a new account of the development of child health care in British Columbia that features an important piece of REACH’s history.

The chapter on family medicine describes REACH as an early innovator in community health, bringing together practitioners from multiple disciplines to provide preventive, accessible care shaped by the diverse needs of East Vancouver families.

We were especially proud to see Dr. Carol Herbert recognized. Dr. Herbert worked at REACH as a family physician and clinical instructor from 1971-1982. During her time here, she helped advance interdisciplinary care, research, and services for people who had experienced sexual assault. She later became Head of Family Practice at UBC and Dean of Medicine and Dentistry at Western University.

More than 55 years later, community health remains at the heart of our work.

Learn more about REACH’s early interdisciplinary care model and how it continues to inform our work today:

REACH has a long history of serving East Vancouver, and much of what we do has been informed by the needs of our community. We are very proud to see REACH’s history featured in Caring for Our Children , a new account of the development of child health care in British Columbia. The chapter on famil

08/11/2026

REACH Board members are dedicated to ensuring the East Vancouver community has access to the care they need. We are currently looking for volunteer Board members with expertise in HR, finance, and facilities/operations to join our Board.

Learn more about this opportunity and how to apply: https://www.reachcentre.bc.ca/join-the-reach-board

Does this sound like you? Let’s connect!
Email us at [email protected].

08/07/2026

Though the yellow air quality warning has ended in Metro Vancouver, there are still high temperatures today and tomorrow. Make sure to stay hydrated, and check in often with yourself and your community. Stay cool everyone! 🩵