Mission

The Society supports socially marginalized men to heal, grow, learn, build self-esteem, develop resilience and adopt values that will enable them to thrive in the wider community. It does this by :

Providing support and supervision for high-need men on conditional release from prison.

Monitoring clients compliance with Parole Board of Canada release terms and by supporting them to make changes that will help them live successfully in the community

Operation of the only residential program in Canada for conditionally released men with a fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD)

Providing transitional housing beds for chronically homeless men some of whom have had involvement with the criminal justice system and supports them to make changes that will help them live successfully in the community

People

Staff need to be properly qualified through education and/or experience. The Society provides ongoing, relevant training and support so that staff can better achieve the Agency’s mission. The Westcoast Genesis Society employs staff who practice a personal commitment to:

Our Admin Team

Pamela Sesk

Executive Director
Direct Line: 604-521-2978
Email: PamelaS@wgsbc.ca

Eva Nemeth

House Manager Maria Keary Cottage
Direct Line: 604-517-2957
Email: EvaN@wgsbc.ca

Nancy Zhao

Finance Officer
Direct Line: 604-636-3587
Email: NancyZ@wgsbc.ca

Ravi Cheema

House Manager Genesis House
Direct Line: 604-521-2978
Email: RaviC@wgsbc.ca

Aurora Marin

Technology Officer
Direct Line: 604-636-3582
Email: AuroraM@wgsbc.ca

Organization

Our Board of Directors

The society is governed by a dedicated members who volunteer their time to help guide our work

Bio coming soon!

Facilities

Houses are close to public transportation with quick and easy access to most locations in the Lower Mainland. The Columbia SkyTrain station is a short walk away. The New Westminster Community Corrections (Parole) Office is also within walking distance. The Canada Games Pool & Fitness Centre and the Royal City Centre shopping mall are short distances away

Genesis House

Opened in July 2000. Built in 1898, it is a large, beautiful, heritage house located at the corner of Carnarvon and Merivale in residential New Westminster, British Columbia. The house has been renovated inside to include additional showers and washrooms. The bedrooms have also been refurbished, and their floors have been restored to the original state. Genesis House can accommodate up to 20 residents in single, double, and triple occupancy rooms

Maria Keary Cottage

Opened in March 2010 upon completion of a major construction project that involved heritage restoration of the twin cottages built as rental properties for the widow Maria Keary in 1887 on Carnarvon Street. Samuel Maclure, who later became one of British Columbiaís most eminent architects, designed and built the original houses in the Queen Anne style. Besides restoring the original houses under a Heritage Revitalization Agreement with the City, the Society joined the two houses into one and also added a two-storey addition at the rear. The main entrance to Maria Keary Cottage is now at the north end of the building off Dickenson Street (one block north of Carnarvon). All but one of the fifteen CRF beds are in double occupancy rooms

Both Genesis House CRF and Maria Keary Cottage CRF specialize in serving men with substance use issues and accept residents on the Methadone Maintenance Treatment Program referred by CSC. Staff at Maria Keary Cottage deliver the only residential program in Canada for men on conditional release living with a fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) utilizing highly structured and customized interventions that take into account the specific challenges faced by the individual client. The Society accepts men on all forms of conditional release (both provincial and federal). Staff carefully assess a potential client based on his level of motivation and his willingness to follow his correctional/treatment plan and to make the life changes needed to safely and successfully re-enter the community. The Society does not accept CSC referrals for men convicted of sexual offences.

Each house has a Cook and residents can have three meals daily (residents prepare their own breakfast in the morning and all meals on the weekend and on statutory holidays). Coffee is available through the day. There are laundry facilities in both houses. Each house also has satellite T.V., one or two telephones for local calls and a computer terminal. The houses are staffed with awake staff on a 24/7 basis.