Purpose Society
Purpose Society is a community-based organization in New Westminster that supports children, youth, adults, and families at many different stages of life. For over 40 years, it has worked alongside people who may be facing complex challenges such as poverty, housing instability, mental health concerns, substance use, or social isolation.
At its core, Purpose Society offers a connected continuum of supports. This means services are not separate or isolated. Instead, they are designed to work together so people can access the right support at the right time, based on their needs and goals.
The organization provides a strong foundation for children and families through licensed child care and early childhood development (ECD) family programs, as well as parenting and family supports. As children and youth grow, Purpose Society continues to offer support through youth programs, a high school, counselling, and a Youth Hub that creates a safe and welcoming space for connection and guidance.
For youth facing more complex situations, including involvement with the justice system or challenges at home, specialized programs provide support, stability, and pathways toward independence.
Health and well-being are also central to Purpose Society’s work. The organization operates a health clinic that provides primary care, testing, and treatment, along with substance use counselling and connections to recovery supports. It also runs a health contact centre offering supervised consumption, drug checking, and overdose prevention services that help save lives. [
Purpose Society also meets people where they are. Through outreach and a mobile health van, staff connect with individuals across the community, offering harm reduction supplies, basic health support, food and essential items, and referrals to other services.
To support stability, Purpose Society provides housing and financial assistance programs, including the Rent Bank, as well as access to resources that help individuals and families maintain housing and overall well-being.
The organization is also deeply involved in community learning and inclusion. It leads Literacy New West, working with partners to strengthen reading, learning, and life skills for people of all ages. In addition, the Digital Inclusion Project provides access to devices, internet, and one-to-one support so that people can build digital skills and connect to opportunities and services.
Purpose Society is also the host organization for the WINS Local Immigration Partnership (WINS LIP), supporting collaboration across agencies and sectors to help build a more welcoming and inclusive community for newcomers.
Across all of its work, Purpose Society takes a relationship-based approach. Services are flexible and centered on each person’s strengths, experiences, and goals. Rather than expecting people to fit into one program, the organization works alongside them to connect the supports that make sense in their lives.
At its heart, Purpose Society is about creating a community where people feel safe, respected, and supported, and where they have real opportunities to build stability, connection, and a sense of belonging.
Lower Mainland Purpose Society for Youth and Families