About Us

Wilma's Transition Society is a non-profit organization dedicated solely to providing services, support & education to women and their children who are ​victims of the many facets ​of interpersonal violence

Our Roots

The Xolhemet Society is a registered Indigenous not for profit and was formed in 1989 by our founder and one of our original board members Wilma Mussel, who started a committee to form a transition house. The Xolhemet Society Transition House was officially opened with our first facility in 1991 in the community of Chilliwack and has been a part of our community for over 30 years, helping hundreds of women and children annually from all across British Columbia with safe shelter and support services when leaving interpersonal violence. Our second stage housing program and facility opened in 1996, and from there, the organization has been built into what it is today with multiple successful programs that we run in our community, including our homeless prevention program, our outreach programming and our no-cost counseling services. In 2019, we changed our name to "Wilma's Transition Society" after our founder and original board member, Wilma, who sat on the board of the Xolhemet Society for 21 years and are now known as Xolhemet Society - Wilma’s Transition Society.

Diversity & Inclusivity Statement

Wilma’s Transition Society recognizes that under the Canadian Human Rights Act, it is against the law to discriminate on the basis of race, colour, age, national or ethnic origin, religion, marital status, family status, disability, sexual orientation, sex, pregnancy, childbirth, and a pardoned criminal conviction. As such, Wilma’s Transition Society ensures that our services and programs are accessible to individuals and that our agency will not practice or engage in unlawful discrimination on the basis of culture, spiritual beliefs, gender identity, social condition, physical ability, and any prohibited ground of discrimination covered by the Canadian Human Rights Act as listed above. Wilma’s Transition Society will provide services that are sensitive and responsive to the diverse needs of the individuals it serves and promote cross-cultural understanding and respect for diversity among clients and staff.

We recognize that LGBTQ2S+ persons face a high risk of discrimination and abuse due to their sexual orientation, gender identity, and/or gender expression. We recognize transgender, intersex, and gender variant individuals face the highest risk of experiencing discrimination, abuse, and barriers among LGBTQ2S+ communities. Due to this marginalization, Wilma's Transition Society welcomes all trans, two-spirit, intersex, and gender diverse people and their children.

Vision, Mission
& Values

  • We are guided by a Vision to end interpersonal violence in our community through empowerment and cultivating independence.

  • Our Mission is to improve the lives of individuals who have endured interpersonal violence by providing safe shelter, advocacy, support and to create social change through educating the community.

  • At Wilma’s Transition Society we are committed and accountable to following the Values of collaboration, non-judgmental and fair views, safety, client centered focus, empowerment, and inclusivity.

Hope & healing live here.