Brief History – Milestones

H.O.P.E. has been proudly delivering mental health peer support and employment services in Brant County for over 20 years.

1991 CMHA Brant opens ‘Quick Bite Catering & Take Out’

• Social worker hired as project manager.
• Psychosocial rehabilitation focused training & work-related life skills provided.
• Long-term employment at minimum wage.
• Funding received – 2 consumer assistant managers hired.
• Advisory Committee established (management, consumers & members of business community) meeting monthly.

1993 Begin operating as an independent Consumer Survivor Initiative (CSI)

• Brantford Vocational Training Association incorporated (BVTA).
• Quick Bite business divested from CMHA to BVTA.
• Independent Board of Directors established – consumers play a more directive role.
• Business included catering and restaurant sales employing 18 to 20 consumers.

1998  One year HRDC grant received to support consumer initiatives

• Brant Mainstream Mental Health Wellness Network established.
• ‘Kindred Spirits’ peer support group organized and ran for one year.

1999  CMHA Brant asked to provide sponsorship to BVTA

• Program Advisory Committee established to provide advice to CMHA Board

2000  Brantford Vocational Training Association receives Trillium Grant

• One-to-one peer support services offered to clients leaving hospital
• Part-time coordinator hired
• Volunteer peer support training initiated (part of research project)

2003  Quick Bite closed due to budget short-falls

• Director of Business Development hired to develop new businesses

2004  New profitable businesses were opened

• QuickKlean cleaning business established in 2004, expanded to include moving services

2006  BVTA part of regional CSI network – input to HNHB LHIN on consumer issues

• Peer support workers expanded to four
• Established agreement with Brant Community Healthcare System to provide one-on-one peer support to inpatients – WE CARE

2009  Decision made to rename BVTA to Helping Ourselves through Peer Support & Employment (HOPE)

• Started delivering Special Events

2010  QuickKlean expanded to include re-sale store

• Program Manager becomes  OPDI certified  peer support trainer.

2011    Name officially change to H.O.P.E.

2013   Strategic planning process sets 5 year direction.

2015   Started “After Hours” Saturday afternoon peer support Drop-In at Phoenix Place.

2019   H.O.P.E. hosts its First Annual Walk for H.O.P.E. fundraising event