PHARA Community Services provides over 49,000 days of housing to the communities of North Bay and surrounding area. PHARA has a mandate to enhance the quality of life and independence for individuals with disabilities, or those facing the effects of aging. Through rehabilitative and recreational programs, skills training, and advocacy, PHARA promotes physical, mental, and emotional well-being while addressing daily needs and fostering lifelong independence and community inclusion.

PHARA is the common name representing the sister non-profit charitable organizations of PHARA Community Services representing Nipissing Parry Sound, and PHARA Community Services Westwinds Heights. We exist to serve our clients, our tenants, and our community.

Name change in 2025

For 50 years, PHARA was known as Physically Handicapped Adults’ Rehabilitation Association (PHARA) and provided services that promote independence, health and housing services. In celebration of their 51st year the organization changed their name to PHARA Community Services.

From listening to the community and from the direction of PHARA’s Board of Directors, it was recognized that a name change was needed in order to reflect the updated vision, mission, and goals of the organization.

“The name change has been long overdue,” said Mike Van der Vlist, CEO of PHARA. “The community recognized this, and we listened. Our new name removes the word handicapped, a word that in today’s world is inappropriate as we strive for an inclusive environment providing health and housing services.”

Our Guiding Philosophy

PHARA is guided by the Independent Living Philosophy (ILP). The ILP is based on the belief that persons with disabilities have the same human rights as persons without disabilities to participate in and contribute to community life. It is about persons with disabilities having the right and seeking the opportunity to be self-determined in matters such as living arrangements, transportation, social life, employment, and physical care.

The fundamental principle of ILP is empowerment. It is about choice. It respects each person’s understanding of what independence is for them.

Independent Living is controlling and directing your own life and taking responsibility for your own actions. It is knowing what choices are available and selecting what is right for you. Independent Living means being as self-sufficient as possible. It means taking risks and being allowed to succeed and fail on your own terms.

The ILP does not seek to define independence and task others to fit into that definition. ILP is interested in having a person with a disability direct his/her own life and services. The ILP is interested in promoting better utilization of services. The ILP is interested in a person with a disability’s sense of self-esteem. Bottom line – Independent Living is a philosophy of life and a philosophy for service provision.

PHARA is dedicated to the ILP and its meanings, while meeting the requirements of funding providers.

MISSION STATEMENT

PHARA provides services in both official languages to people with disabilities as well as housing opportunities for those with low or moderate incomes.

Vision

A world where everyone lives in their home. A world where everyone lives their independent life.

Slogan

Independence and Housing.

Our Motto

PHARA Today. PHARA Tomorrow. PHARA Forever.

Our Goals

To be seen by clients, tenants, and the community as a provider of excellent service.
To foster a culture and workplace where individuals choose PHARA as their long term employer.
To be a local leader in housing and health services with a focus on equity, inclusion, and diversity.
To enhance services and service sustainability through integrated planning and partnerships that enhance and grow community programs to meet client and tenant needs.

PHARA is comprised of two legal organizational entities:

Organization 1: Representing Nipissing Parry Sound is known as PHARA Community Services
Organization 2: Representing Westwind Heights is known as PHARA Community Services WH

PHARA purposes are:

To relieve conditions associated with a lack of housing through providing residential accommodations, including specially adapted accommodation, financially assisted accommodation, incidental facilities, and support to individuals, couples, and families.
To enhance quality of life by providing trained personnel and specialized services that assist in the daily activities for those with a disability and/or facing the effects of aging.
To enhance quality of life by providing rehabilitative and recreational programs to support the physical, mental, and emotional well-being of those with a disability and/or facing the effects of aging.
To enhance quality of life by providing skills training, advocacy, supportive services to those with a disability and/or facing the effects of aging.
To enhance individual independence throughout a lifetime to those with a disability and/or facing the effects of aging.

About Us