Tumbler Ridge Community Healing Space

After the February 10 tragedy, it became clear how many people were quietly struggling and how few resources were available.

We didn't want to wait.

So we opened a free, trauma-informed community healing space, offering hands-on care every day.

Since then, we've provided 700+ treatments, and the need hasn't slowed down.

We're asking for support to keep this space open while it's making a real difference.

Why This Is Needed, and Why Now

Tumbler Ridge is a remote community. Many residents must travel up to two hours for care, and there are limited local services focused on trauma recovery or nervous system support.

After a major event like this, this kind of care is most effective early—while people are still processing what happened.

Healing doesn't happen all at once and it doesn't follow a timeline. This space is already helping people stabilize, reconnect, and begin to heal.

People need consistent, accessible care close to home, especially in the early stages of trauma.

That window is now.

With your support, it can continue.

How This Helps

Trauma lives in the body, not just the mind.

Without support, it can lead to long-term challenges like anxiety, depression, chronic pain, and other health issues.

The care we offer focuses on stabilization first—helping people feel safe in their bodies again.

These therapies can:

Calm the stress response

Improve sleep and emotional balance

Restore a sense of safety

Support long-term healing and resilience

This is early, preventative care—and it matters.

What We're Doing

The Tumbler Ridge Community Healing Space provides free, walk-in care 5 days a week, including:

Acupuncture

Massage therapy

Craniosacral, osteopathy, and somatic therapies

This is a place where people can come as they are with no referral, no cost and begin to feel grounded again.

So far, we've supported:

700+ treatments delivered

And people are still coming.

A Community Effort

This project exists because people showed up. Local practitioners, volunteers, organizations, and businesses came together quickly—donating time, space, supplies, food, and support.

The project is supported by:

Irina Cividino, R. AC, R. TCMP – Organizing practitioners, securing funding, support on all fronts

Yvonne Poulin, RMT, and TR volunteers – local leadership and clinic operations

Acupuncturists Without Borders (AWB) – training, structure, and trauma-response model

Tumbler Ridge Public Library (NGO & Charity) – fundraising partner

Eastern Currents – donated acupuncture supplies

Northstar Catering & Lush Desserts – daily meals and support for practitioners

BC Registered Massage Therapists Association (RMTBC) – financial contributions

Kaslo Community Acupuncture Society – networking

A network of 15+ licensed practitioners volunteering their time

Joan Zimmer, Yvonne Poulin & Danielle Roscher with Untamed Tours offering Accommodations

Cali Stanley joining the team to aid in Social Media

Shelley Quist, and the Tumbler Ridge Health Services Society joining the team to aid in Funding efforts.

It's a true community-led response, built in real time.

What People Are Experiencing

"After the tragedy, my mind felt foggy and it was hard to breathe. I heard about the healing center and decided to try it.

After the first treatment, my legs felt less tired. After two, I started to feel much better—my breathing eased, the fog began to lift, and I could move more easily.

By the third treatment, my legs stopped cramping at night. I had less vertigo, I was sleeping better, and I felt calmer.

I was skeptical at first—this has truly made a difference."

— Patient in Tumbler Ridge

Stories like this are why we're committed to continuing this work—and why your support matters right now.

How You Can Help

So far, we've raised $17,000—and it has already made a direct, immediate impact in the community.

To keep this space open, we currently need:

$3,000 to cover March

$10,000 to sustain April

Ongoing monthly support of $10,000–$15,000

Each month, we reassess based on the needs of the community, so support is always going exactly where it's needed most.

Every contribution—of any size—directly supports care for someone who might not otherwise have access.

If you're not in a position to give, sharing this page or following along on social media also makes a real difference.

What Comes Next

As immediate needs shift [approx. June], we plan to transition into a sustainable, sliding-scale model so that:

Care remains accessible to everyone

Practitioners can receive modest compensation

Ongoing support stays in the community