About Us
Who We Are
From Grief to Action (FGTA) began as a small group of parents struggling with the tragedy of having a family member suffering from an addiction to illegal drugs. Together they formed an informal support group, meeting at St. Mary's Church in Kerrisdale, that focused on supporting one another through feelings of shame, perceived guilt, helplessness and grief.
After a year, during which several invited speakers came to help shed some light on their mutual situation, FGTA realized that it wasn't just the "disease" that was the problem, it was the treatment (or, more to the point, the lack of treatment). The founding members wondered whether as an "interest" group they could reach out to their community, media and politicians to raise awareness of an increasingly pervasive problem. Together they decided to move "from grief to action", and created a vision statement (mandate) for the group. FGTA unknowingly became the face of addiction in the family, as outspoken middle class, West-side Vancouver residents they reached a large audience. Many were startled to learn the problem, most often attributed to the Downtown East-side, was also a problem on the affluent West-side; while others were relieved that the silence and self-imposed shame had been broken - drug addiction could happen in any family.
Our Incorporation No. S-42377
Business (Charitable Status) No. 88871 9812
We are very grateful to all our donors and funders. A special thanks to The United Way of the Lower Mainland, The Christmas Family Ball Society, the (former) Ministry of Community Development, and many private donors.
We are also moved by the memorial bequests from families who have thought of From Grief to Action in their time of mourning.
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