About Us

Food for the Soul Project Society was created to help those struggling with mental health and addictions. We also work with people who are low income or homeless within our communities. We strive to provide resources and a safe space for those who need to connect with professionals in the field of mental health and addictions. We thrive with the support of our volunteers who help bring our programs together. Our food, clothing, and housing programs connect us with those most in need. Contact us to learn more!

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Our clinic has a wonderful team dedicated to healing and supporting individuals through the most challenging of times. We connect with anyone struggling with poverty, homelessness, and addiction; we provide support for individuals surviving two pandemics. We actively listen and learn from our community to understand what is most needed. The greatest needs for each community is different. We realize this and know the only way to know what people are suffering from is to connect, listen and support; this is what we do.

Aida Tajbakhesh - Founder/Director

Aida was born in Iran. Her journey brought her to Canada. Raised in Coquitlam after graduation continued on education studying Political Science. During her time in school she was blessed with an opportunity to work overnight at a womens shelter in the Downtown Eastside. Since then Aida has dedicated her time and resources to share awareness and work in the field of community support work. Aida took time away from her career to start a family and with the support of family, has returned to the work she loves to do; Outreach and addictions support work. She has now started an Organization named Food For The Soul Project Society. Food For The Soul Project Society, provides additional support to patient/clients and community members at Food For The Soul Project Society's clinic..
- Aida

Adriana Mitchell - Manager

I started my path to my career 24 years ago, when I started Volunteering at Lookout housing and health society’s Al Mitchell shelter. My father whom the shelter is now named after mentored me, along with many other respected social services professionals. My passion and dedication are driven by the love of helping others have a better day, so they can face the next one. I believe to make positives movement in changes someone’s life, the joy is in celebrating the small daily victories. This then buildings into lasting changes and helps motivate change. My father would often teach “We keep them alive for another day.” As I turned 25, I started my employment at Lookout housing and health society, and over the past 10 years I have held tenant support worker and temp Coordinator positions. Through this time, I began to recognize a discrepancy in service delivery throughout the field. We are so focused on the immediate needs; we often miss past trauma. With this awareness I pursed my Professional counselling diploma at Rhodes Wellness College. As I wanted to gain education in holistic approaches to serving those in need. As my Career moves forward my hope is to be part of a larger community where we can bridge the gaps and come together for the great good. For Communities thrive when all its members feel secure.
- Adriana

Pamela Nutter - Maple Ridge Clinic Manager

My name is Pamela Nutter and I am the Manager of the OAT clinic. I work alongside the doctors to ensure our clients receive the utmost care during their treatment. I have over 18 years of experience working in medical offices, and working for Food for the Soul Project Society has given me a new sense of fulfillment that I wish to use to give back to the community. I look forward to taking care of patients with compassion and integrity.

Monique Verhoef - RTC

"Hi, I'm Monique Registered Therapeutic Counsellor with over 8 years of experience.

Areas of Expertise:
• Pet Loss & Grief
• Dog Adoption
• Depression & Anxiety
• Bereavement, Loss & Grief
• Depression & Anxiety
• Cultural & Immigration

To learn more about Monique and her work: https://www.equalcounselling.com/

Liz Kendall BA, BEd, MA, ECE - Board Member

Liz is a certified Reiki practitioner with the Canadian Reiki Association who provides energy healing sessions. Liz’s sessions leave one with a sense of being cared for, peace, equilibrium, and a liberation of the mind, body and soul. Reiki is a Japanese spiritual practice that has its origins in the early twentieth century. It can benefit the individual by promoting relaxation and encouraging the body’s natural healing mechanisms. Roughly translated, the word “Reiki” means energy from a higher power. A treatment involves palm healing where the therapist transfers energy through their palms to the client.

Reiki has been acknowledged by addictions specialists as a tool to help repair some of the damage done by substance abuse and nudge individuals back on a path towards healthy living. There are several benefits of Reiki including: relaxation, elimination of energy blocks, cleansing the body of toxins, strengthening the immune system, clearing the mind and improving focus, improving sleep, balancing emotions, and accelerating the body’s self-healing ability. I am honoured to assist you with Reiki and to be a part of your healing journey. Reiki blessings.

Michael J Evans - Lawyer

Mr. Evans has been working within Criminal, Family and Civil Law since 2007 when he was called to the Bar. In addition to his professional life, Mr. Evans has been an advocate in the community for those less fortunate including abused women and children, and the homeless.