Welcome to Bethesda
Welcome to Bethesda, a place where you can experience a deep sense of belonging. We understand the challenge of finding the right support services. How can you be certain you’ll get the unique support you need? Will your circumstances be truly understood and respected? At Bethesda, we don’t just collaborate with you; we walk alongside you every step of the way. If you’ve ever questioned whether a secure and nurturing environment exists for you, you’re not alone in those uncertainties.
For over five decades, Bethesda has been dedicated to supporting people with diverse abilities and their families. I’m Tori Dalair, and I’m deeply honored to serve as Bethesda’s Chief Executive Officer. My life’s work has revolved around the community living sector, where I’ve had the privilege of serving others and experiencing the profound blessings of these relationships. It’s been said that working for the community is synonymous with serving humanity itself. At Bethesda, we’re driven by Christian values that compel us to support and uplift people of all abilities and their families. Together, we create a sense of belonging as we navigate life’s journey, celebrating the highs and weathering the lows side by side. Welcome to our Bethesda family, where everyone is valued and embraced.
What is diverse abilities?
People have diverse abilities.
By focusing on our abilities,
rather than only our ‘disabilities’, we are empowered and supported to succeed in ways we were intended.
Bethesda supports and empowers people with diverse abilities and their families
A big part of what we do is help people to find out what services are available to them, what would be most beneficial and how to access them.
We offer a range of services including living options (staff supported homes, shared living and intentional communities where people of all abilities live), community inclusion, supported independent living, summer camps, employment services and family support services. There’s a lot to consider and what is right for one person or family may not be right for another.
We walk alongside you on your journey. Life isn’t static and so when it changes, we’re there working with you to find solutions. That’s what being committed to communities of true belonging means.
Each of our services is designed to meet the needs and preferences of each person in 8 areas of their life (8 Qualify of Life measures). This person-centred approach is committed to the values of community and inclusion.
We offer services for people with diverse abilities who are eligible for funding through Community Living British Columbia (CLBC), the Ministry for Children and Family Development (MCFD) and/or the Ministry of Health. We also offer options for people who pay privately for services as well as donation-based services.
Donations raised through Bethesda campaigns and fundraising appeals make it possible to offer non-government funded services, including Family Support Services, Supported Independent Living, Employment Services and Summer Camps.
Donation dollars also make it possible to offer services for a person or family who may not be eligible for government funded services.
At Bethesda we are committed to building communities of belonging; communities where everyone’s diverse abilities are welcomed and valued. Starting in Abbotsford in 1971, we now support about 300 people and their families in the Lower Mainland, South Okanagan and in Smithers. Bethesda is a Christian not-for-profit organization with a staff of approximately 400.
Our Philosophy of Care
Our approach is to help people be as independent as possible. We provide a high standard of care while empowering people to live as full and self-directed lives as possible in 8 Quality of Life areas.
1 Emotional and spiritual well-being
2 Interpersonal relationships
3 Material well-being
4 Personal development
5 Physical well-being and mental health
6 Self-determination
7 Social inclusion
8 Rights
What is important both to the person and for the person?
We ask ourselves
- Do we find ourselves doing for others what they could do for themselves?
- Are people truly experiencing life independent of paid supports?
- Do people have the lives we promote in our values?
Person-centred planning is at the heart of supporting people with diverse abilities. Person-centred planning asks, what are the unique interests, gifts and abilities of each person? We find out by exploring with the person and their Circle of Support, what is important both to the person and for the person.
Offering real choices is the result of listening carefully to each person.
What guides us?
Bethesda began its vision of supporting people with diverse abilities and their families in 1971 when a group of families with diverse abilities founded Bethesda. They pioneered its Christian faith-based, community-centred approach. Since then, it has empowered people with diverse abilities with an unceasing commitment to inclusion and interdependence.
Following Jesus’ most important commandment, Bethesda strives to create a world where we will all love our neighbours as we love ourselves.
Learn about how this foundational commandment guides all we are and do, from our Vision, Mission and Values, to our Statement of Faith and Guiding Principles.
A world where we will all love our neighbours as we love ourselves
Highest Service Standards
Our services are monitored by the Community Care Facilities Licensing branch of the BC Ministry of Health MOH), the Commission on Accreditation for Rehabilitative Facilities (CARF), and other contracted inspectors.
We were awarded a 3-year accreditation in 2021 through CARF. CARF is an independent, nonprofit accreditor of health and human services. Accreditation is a “seal of approval” that assure stakeholders and the public that Bethesda meets accepted standards in providing services to people with disabilities.
We are pleased to receive the CARF 2021 Accreditation Survey Report which highlights our strengths as well as recommendations to help us improve our services.
Annual Reporting
Each year we produce an Annual Report and an Outcomes Management Report. These are two sources of information about our activities, our goals, achievements and challenges and how we’re meeting strategic objectives.
The executive team representing Bethesda attended the Abbotsford Business Excellence Awards as a nominee in the non-profit category.
Bethesda has developed relationships with community partners, which are very complementary of the organization and its services and staff. Bethesda is described as collaborative, inclusive, professional, respectful of roles, responsive, reliable, and having houses that feel like home. Bethesda is also recognized as a strong advocate in the region for people serviced and all individuals with disabilities. CARF 2018 3-year Accreditation Report
Partnerships
Supporting people with diverse abilities and their families is a community effort
Together with all our partner organizations we are strengthened by what we contribute and by what we gain from the expertise of others.
Bethesda partners with many organizations. Some are government contractual partnerships such as Community Living British Columbia (CLBC) and various BC Ministries.
Other partners are organizations and agencies that intersect with some part of our operations. Like human resources, employee relations, disability rights advocacy, estate and financial planning, and much more.
In our contribution as good neighbours, Bethesda is involved in committees, task forces and projects that benefit our communities.
Our partnership with Christian churches throughout BC is special. Since our beginning as an organization, supporting churches have been there, offering enduring grass roots support through prayer, donations and volunteering.
What People Say
Quotes from People with Diverse Abilities
Quotes from Parents
Quotes from Staff
