About — Pioneer Community Living Association

our personal history

a hidden gem in the community

PCLA is a non-profit organization providing innovative housing and support to people with mild to complex mental illness, sometimes combined with substance use challenges.

Mental health advocacy has evolved over the last 100 years to become the invaluable resource it is in our community today.

one idea

made with care can make all the difference.
1913

The Hospital for the Mind called Essondale is established.
1950

Deinstitutionalization commences.
1960

Immediate outcomes of deinstitutionalization are realized.
1982

Pioneer House is established by former patient Dave Beamish.
1992

Community Response Short-Stay Treatment (CRESST) is founded.
2001-present

Elizabeth Barnett Terrace (2001), Lina’s Place (2002), Millers Way (2003), Adrian’s House (2004), and Dominion House (2008) residential programs added.

our vision

Sharing a vision toward independence that is personalized, realistic, and holistic.

an orange infographic of hands forming a heart

our mission

Supporting individuals on their journey to independence and mental health wellness.

“You CAN get there from here.”

— Dave Beamish, Founder of Pioneer House

follow our journey

Importance of Sleep to Mental Health

Sleep and mental health have a multifaceted and complex relationship. However, evidence consistently shows that adequate sleep is associated with improved mood, increased productivity, and even greater overall sa

Are People Really Capable of Change?

You've probably heard: "A leopard can't change its spots," which means that people are born with certain factors that they cannot change. However, research suggests that change is possible.

A 2017 revi

10 Tips for Achieving Mental Wellness

Mental wellness, also known as good mental health, refers to the ability to feel, think, and interact in ways that allow you to enjoy life and deal effectively with difficult situations. It is a sense of emotion

Building Resilience to Survive Adversity

While there is no way to avoid sorrow, adversity, or distress in life, there are methods for smoothing the rough waters and regaining control. Resilience is the ability to cope with loss, change, and trauma

Choosing Between Medication and Therapy

For many, choosing between medication and therapy to address their mental health can be difficult. It is particularly difficult to decide as each individual is unique and their needs and wants differ on a case

What Is Psychotherapy?

Psychotherapy or talk therapy is a type of mental health treatment. It is frequently used to treat mental disorders, alone or in conjunction with medications. Patients talk to a doctor or licensed mental health care profession

What Is Holistic Therapy?

According to holistic therapy theory, a person's consciousness is integrated into their mind, body, and soul. Holistic psychotherapists view people as whole beings, not just as a collection of separate parts. They often c

What Is Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy?

Rational emotive behavior therapy (REBT) is a cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) developed by psychologist Albert Ellis. REBT is an action-oriented approach focused on helping people deal with irrational

Mental Health Challenges in the LGBTQ Community

People in LGBTQ communities are more likely to struggle with their mental health. This is primarily due to oppression and discrimination they may face at school, at home, and in their larger communit

What is a Mood Disorder?

Mood is a state of mind predominated by a specific emotion, such as anger, sadness or joy. Emotions can be pleasant or unpleasant, and sometimes painful. We can usually control them.

People with a mood disorder experience n

What is Interpersonal Therapy?

Interpersonal Therapy (IPT) can help effectively treat depression by focusing on aspects of relationships that might be fuelling the condition. Sometimes, it may even be beneficial to directly bring significant other

What is a Panic Disorder?

A panic disorder is a type of anxiety disorder characterized by episodes of intense fear and discomfort that occur without warning. These attacks may be triggered by a wide variety of situations, including:

- Being in

Suicide and Mental Health

Did you know that in Canada, approximately 11 people die by suicide each day? That is approximately 4,000 deaths by suicide per year. Of those, 1/3rd of deaths by suicide are among people 45-59 years. As well, suicide is th

Stress and COVID-19

The loss, confusion, and uncertainty that many have felt during the pandemic has led to an increase in stress levels for many. Whilst this is unsurprising, and in many cases normal, for some this stress can cause long term impact

Understanding Emotional and Verbal Abuse

Emotional abuse is hard to define, and many victims don't report it. It is described as controlling someone else through emotional manipulation.

Widely recognized signs of emotional abuse include:

1.

Coping with Stress and Anxiety

Feeling emotionally or physically tense can result in frustration, anxiety, and nervousness, as well as serious mental health issues like depression. High blood pressure, obesity, heart disease, and diabetes can all be

Yoga for your Mental Health

People often see yoga as purely physical exercise. While yoga can help you tone and strengthen your body, the mental health benefits outweigh the physical benefits for many people. In fact, many advocates use and promot

What is Dialectical Behavior Therapy?

Dialectical means "the existence of opposites." In Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (or DBT), people are taught two seemingly opposite strategies: acceptance (i.e., that their experiences and behaviours a

Spring Cleaning for Mental Health

Do you know that cleaning helps decrease feelings of stress?

Attending to your needs and practicing excellent self-care are essential for maintaining a clear and renewed mind. It may seem obvious, but many of us ov

The Importance of Loving Yourself and Being Confident

Self-confidence is the foundation of self-love, and it goes hand in hand with self-esteem.

You must understand that how you love yourself serves as the foundation for loving others and how t