Vancouver crewmembers support Honour House

Members from HMCS Vancouver took part in the official opening of Honour Ranch, part of the Honour House Society. Photo courtesy of (civilian) Megan Rownd

SLt Jacob Tamman, HMCS Vancouver ~

Crewmembers of HMCS Vancouver attended the official opening of the Honour Ranch in appreciation of the contribution they and members of HMCS Winnipeg have made in facilitating its opening.

The newly-opened Honour Ranch, a 120-acre property 12 kilometers south of Ashcroft, B.C., provides clinical psychologists, psychiatrists, and a variety of other professional services to those who require treatment for operational stress injuries. The main lodge for residents is now complete, with plans to open another 10 cottages and begin treatment in early 2020.

It is part of the Honour House Society, founded in September 2011, provides a temporary home, free of charge, to members of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF), Veterans, emergency services personnel, and their families while they or their families receive medical care and/or treatment in the metro Vancouver area.

Honour House has provided many families the resources they need during medical treatment, saving them hundreds of thousands of dollars. Honour House receives no direct funding; their operational costs are covered by donations and fundraising events. It is a predominantly volunteer-run organization, with only one paid staff position.

Honour House is the official charity of HMCS Vancouver. Since the charity was founded, many ships across the Fleet have offered their assistance in maintaining the residence and grounds in appreciation of the efforts put in by Honour House staff.