About Us
The Garth Homer mission is to provide services and opportunities that enable people with developmental disabilities to make a life, a home, and a place in the world.
Who we are
Our Approach
When people come to the Garth Homer Society, they embark on a journey of personal growth, skills development and increased independence through our five pillars of learning: Knowledge, Body & Health, Community, Service, and Self.
Our individualized, person-centered approach provides people with a lifelong continuum of support – from transitioning to adult day services, to pursuing gainful employment and community participation, to geriatric and dementia-support services. We want people to approach each day with a sense of purpose and belonging.
Our Values
Belonging
Everyone has the right to fully participate in the community.
Confidence
Everyone deserves to feel valued for who they are.
Autonomy
Everyone gets to make informed choices about what happens in their life.
Personalized Care
Everyone has the right to services tailored to their goals.
Purpose
Everyone has something to contribute to the community.
Who we are
Our Community
At the Garth Homer Society, the people we serve are the heart and soul of our organization. Each individual we support has a unique journey, filled with triumphs, challenges, and aspirations. We take immense pride in creating a nurturing and inclusive environment where their voices are heard, their dreams are valued, and their potential is celebrated.
Meet our People
Our people are at the heart of everything we do. Together, we strive every day to create positive, lasting impact for our clients and community.
Our Story
The Garth Homer Society found its beginning in the very need we still focus on today – to create a sense of belonging. This mission began in 1960 when a group of families, led by Phyllis Sutton, came together to form the Arbutus Arts and Crafts Society to meet the needs of their family members and their peers with developmental disabilities.
In 1968, at the urging of community leader Garth Homer, the Executive Director of the Community Social Planning Council of Greater Victoria, Arbutus Arts and Crafts joined with other family-driven groups to develop an activity centre for adults with disabilities.
Garth Homer passed away in 1976, and the Garth Homer Centre, named in his honour, opened in 1977 as the permanent home for the Garth Homer Society – the organization that emerged from the collaboration of the smaller agencies. The Garth Homer Society has continued to evolve over the years to meet today’s diverse and complex care needs of adults with developmental disabilities.
Phyllis Sutton with a group of families forms Arbutus Arts and Crafts Society.
Garth Homer Centre opens and is home to the newly formed Garth Homer Society.
The Garth Homer Society supports over 230 people with diverse needs at five different locations around the Greater Victoria Region
The new Garth Homer Centre, part of the Nigel Valley Redevelopment Project, will include community space, program space, and residential opportunities.
The possibilities are endless. Join the conversation, and be a part of sculpting the future for the Garth Homer Society.
Stay Connected
Join our Newsletter
Stay connected with the Garth Homer Society by signing up for our newsletter.
Publications and Reports
Read our latest Annual Review, find out more about our CARF Accreditation, or check out our client handbook.
Building for the Future
For nearly 50 years, the Garth Homer Society has been supporting people to be actively engaged citizens in their communities. The Garth Homer Centre for Belonging opens the Society’s next chapter which focuses on inviting the community into Garth Homer, a place where everyone is welcome.
