History
From grassroots to one of the largest employers in New Westminster
What started out as six people working from a basement has evolved into an organization employing 200 people, working out of 13 locations in six communities.
The roots of Fraserside Community Services extend back to 1972 when a small group of people formed a support group to help one another cope with and overcome personal challenges. Calling themselves "Self Aid Never Ends" (SANE), members believed the most effective way to overcome personal difficulties was through self-help. With a government grant, the group developed its first community initiative - the Sapperton Thrift Store. Soon after, the group formed a non-profit society and opened the Achievement Centre for people with developmental disabilities.
The Society quickly achieved recognition as a successful organization that helped disadvantaged people help themselves. In 1988, the Society was renamed Fraserside Community Services Society. Fraserside’s head office is located in New Westminster but the impact of the support and services provided by Fraserside extends throughout Metro Vancouver. Thousands of people have benefited from the dedication and skill of Fraserside’s vocational workers, family support workers, employment specialists, mental health workers, counselors and volunteers, to name a few!
We acknowledge that Fraserside works and resides on the traditional and unceded territory of Coast Salish Peoples, including the Qayqayt, Kwikwetlem, Tsleil-Waututh, Katzie, Semiahmoo, Kwantlen, and Tsawwassen First Nations.