Who We Are
Hollyburn Family Services is a multi-service agency that has been providing support to children, youth, adults and families in the Greater Vancouver region since 1990.
Hollyburn provides a range of professional counselling services to individuals, couples and families, supports families of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder and other pervasive developmental disorders, provides residential care for children and adults with developmental disabilities and mental health challenges, and offers training and support to foster parents and extended families.
OUR HISTORY
1990
It all begins – Hollyburn Family Services is founded. Alan Kwinter founded Hollyburn Family Services to support youth and families in need. Alan, serving as Executive Director together with Nanette Taylor, serving as Director of Services, established a therapeutic care home in North Vancouver and from there services expanded across the Lower Mainland.
1999
An expanded service takes shape – Hollyburn Support Services is established. Recognizing gaps in government funding, Hollyburn Support Services was created by Alan to help establish a community based private fee-for-service program focused on comprehensive therapeutic supports, including counselling & psychotherapy, primarily located on the North Shore but expanding across British Columbia.
2003
Hollyburn Family Services achieves its first CARF Accreditation.
2004
A Community Non-Profit Takes Shape – Hollyburn Community Services Society is established. Recognizing growing gaps in local support, particularly for young people leaving government care and at risk of homelessness, Alan and Nanette establish a community-based non-profit focused on emerging needs across the North Shore with Nanette serving as Executive Director and Alan as Board Chair. The Society revived operation of the North Shore Youth Safe House, providing emergency shelter and support for young people experiencing, or at risk of, homelessness. The Society continued to grow its programs and services for youth, seniors, families, and survivors of domestic violence.
2022
New Leadership Alan Kwinter steps back as Executive Director. Chris Burt takes on the role of Executive Director, only the 2nd person to take the Executive Director role in Hollyburn Family Services history.
2023
Hollyburn Family Services’ first employee, Nanette Taylor, retires.
2025
Expanding Our Impact – NARSF Programs Hollyburn Family Services acquires Nanaimo and Area Resource Services for Families Programs (NARSF Programs) a highly respected community organization that has provided support to individuals, youth, and families in the Nanaimo region since 1991.
How the Hollyburn Entities Work Together.
Hollyburn Family Services, Hollyburn Support Services and The Hollyburn Society share a long history and a close working relationship, but we are three distinct organizations.
Hollyburn Family Services partners with government to provide contracted social services across the Lower Mainland, Fraser Valley and Vancouver Island.
Hollyburn Support Services offers private fee-for-service therapeutic support across the Lower Mainland, Fraser Valley and Vancouver Island.
The Hollyburn Society is an independent registered charity focused on the needs of the Lower Mainland North Shore community. By working together, we can draw on shared knowledge, experience, and connections while giving each organization the flexibility to identify gaps, develop new solutions, and respond to emerging community needs.