About Us

At WOTCH, our goal is to maximize an individual's capability for independence and success within his or her environment of choice.

Our philosophy

WOTCH began in 1970 when a small group of staff from the former London Psychiatric Hospital (led by Dr. Harold Mountain), along with a group of family members, had a different vision for what worked for people with mental illness. Their vision was based on the premise that people are people first, not patients. They wanted to create a residential alternative based on a model of therapeutic community. Staff and families, through a letter-writing and media campaign, exerted enough political pressure to get the initial funding for WOTCH. The result was the first community residential program in London, for persons living with mental illness.

In 1978, Piccadilly residence was added, followed by the purchase of several other homes. During the first decade, in addition to therapeutic community and housing, WOTCH developed case management and vocational programs in response to the changing requirements of the mental health system. The late 1980s saw an explosion in the housing arena as WOTCH began purchasing homes to provide permanent residences in addition to rehabilitation and supportive housing.

In the spring of 1987, the Ministry of Health asked WOTCH to start a psycho-social rehabilitation program for residents of a Homes for Special Care facility in Exeter, Ontario. By September of that year, WOTCH North opened its doors to that community.

More recently, the focus has been on caring for persons with mental illness who are homeless. WOTCH has responded with new housing initiatives, including Congregate House and partnerships with local property owners and other service providers. A second recent initiative is an on-site clinical team that provides treatment services to WOTCH clients in conjunction with community services, family physicians and other psychiatric professionals. In 2006, WOTCH expanded its scope yet again with the establishment of a Family Support Program and the merger of the former Women's Mental Health Resources, which includes responsibilities for the homeless and at-risk women served by My Sisters' Place, with WOTCH.

WOTCH is a registered not-for-profit corporation as well as a registered charitable organization funded predominantly by the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care through the South West Local Health Integrated Network. WOTCH programs and services are governed by an independent Board of Trustees.

WOTCH is committed to on-going service evaluations and evidenced-based best practices and has received a 2nd 3-year accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) for its Treatment and Rehabilitation Housing Facilities, the Community Integration Program and its buisness practices. WOTCH has also received a 3 year accreditation with report award with Accreditation Canada.