On May 6, the founder of a charity and a local counselling group were recognized by Island Health for their exceptional efforts to help people experiencing mental health and substance use challenges.
Harjas Singh Popli, the founder of Fateh Care Charity, and the Vancouver Island Counselling Centre for Immigrants and Refugees are the winners of the 2025 Island Health Mental Health and Substance Use Community Service Awards.
Popli started Fateh Care Charity in 2021 after immigrating to Victoria and confronting a need for support himself while struck by the chaos of the COVID-19 pandemic. He strongly believed that the way to make connections in the community was to give back, rather than just asking for help. So, he started the charity, which began as a Facebook page, to provide support in whatever way possible to anyone in true need.
"We thought it important to fill [that gap] instead of mulling over, crying over what did not happen to us," Popli said.
Popli built the charity all without corporate support, a "very impressive" achievement, noted Kelly Reid, director of mental health and addictions services at Vancouver Island Health Authority, who presented him the award. She described him as a compassionate and "dedicated humanitarian" who has "worked tirelessly." His organization provides mobile food assistance and essential supplies to those in need, among a host of other services.
"Through Fatah Care, he has spearheaded blood donation drives and programs supporting seniors, people with disabilities, single parents, people between jobs, and marginalized communities," Reid said.
Popli said even today, the truck is on the road helping people, under a meaningful motto.
"Fateh means victory, and with Fateh Care, we win hearts by caring," he said.
Popli was presented with a photograph by Derek Ford. Depicting a bird soaring through the sky, it is meant to reflect resilience, transformation, quiet strength and limitless possibiity, the artist said in a statement.
Also presented with an award was the Vancouver Island Counselling Centre for Immigrants and Refugees. VICCIR was presented a painting by Victoria artist Afshin Tabei who incorporated Persian poetry, reflecting his heritage and past, with abstract forms symbolizing adaptation to a new culture.
Dr. Soraya Centeno, director of clinical services, highlighted that the painting looked like a bird with two wings, reminding her that the organization has two arms that support one another; the clinician side, that provides free and low-cost, trauma-informed mental health and counselling services to immigrants and refugees, and the volunteer division that does outreach.
John Brown, operations manager of South Island Community Services, who presented the award, said VICCIR supports people and families as they navigate the challenges of resettlement.
"Through this work, they foster a sense of belonging, mental well-being, and resilience in those uprooted due to war, conflict, or persecution."
VICCIR started in 2015 as a group of volunteers. Today, the group has around 30 registered clinicians, 30 trained supervised interpreters and around 70 volunteers.
Building off the spirit of the event, both VICCIR and Fateh Care built a new connection, with VICCIR pointing out that there could be potential for the two organizations to work together in new, strong ways.
"One of the things I would say about VICCIR, we're very creative. As he was actually speaking, I was coming already with potential projects to do together," Centeno said. She mentioned the possibility for newcomers to get involved with his organization as volunteers, or getting some of their clients help who need resources.
"The whole point of VICCIR is, what can we do to generate purpose and connection?"
At Umbrella Society, the awards were presented by the Island Health Mental Health and Substance Use South Island Advisory Committee, which is made up of people with living mental health challenges, their family members, and local community service organizations.
"Our society hasn't always treated people with mental health or substance use concerns with full inclusivity, dignity, and respect. And the award recipients we're celebrating today have worked and continue to work to remedy that," Reid said.
