About Us
Tenacious House
Our mission is to provide a connection-focused integrated addiction and mental health recovery program for vulnerable people in our community. Everyone should have the opportunity to access treatment and support when they need it, so we welcome those who struggle the most to find help.
Rooted in a robust and evidence-based framework, our purpose is to provide the compassionate care, individualised support, and development opportunities that enable people with complex needs to thrive in all areas of their lives.
History of Tenacious House
The strength of Tenacious House derives from a growing community of like-minded people, with a desire to help those in need through a long-term, sustainable journey of recovery.
Originally established as a social impact initiative of Globalheart Church in Joondalup, Tenacious House is a public benevolent activity of Northern Compassion Inc., which has been providing rehabilitation services since 2014.
Our Values
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Respect for individuals and culture
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Supporting each other with compassion
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Trusting relationships built on integrity
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Passion to energetically pursue our vision
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Facing challenges and change with courage
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Belief in the power of faith to enable a person to change
Strategic Outcomes
Tenacious House’s strategic outcomes are Connection, Hope and Resilience.
Tenacious House is taking men from isolation to connection, from despair to hope, and from instability to resilience.
Connection
Developing networks and communities that foster positive relationships.
Helping our clients to achieve community connection enables them to move from isolation to having positive relationships characterized by healthy human interactions.
This connection is an antidote to addiction. It begins in Tenacious House and is nurtured during our continuing care program and in the world outside of rehabilitation.
Hope
That our clients can and will recover; a better future is possible.
We want and believe that people can and will recover in our care. We cannot make our clients recover, but we can provide the environment, opportunities, and support to encourage recovery – and hope that each and every person chooses to do what is required of them to get better.
We strive to nurture hope in our clients that they can and will recover, believing in them until they can believe in themselves.
Resilience
Long-term recovery enabled through a sustainable organisation.
Resilience is a primary goal in the recovery journey of our clients. This doesn’t mean they don’t feel life’s ups and downs, but our goal is to ensure they have tools and support mechanisms to deal with them. The dignity and self-worth to be found in achieving resilience are priceless.
The physical and mental wellbeing of our leaders, staff, and volunteers is paramount as it is inextricably connected to the organisational sustainability of Tenacious House and our ability to help more people in the future.
Community Support
Tenacious House stands on the collective goodwill, tenacity and connections of community members.
The program has historically relied on the generosity of others, through individual donations and support of fundraisers, as well as volunteered time to cover a range of foundational services.
In particular, the Management Committee of Tenacious House is comprised of civic leaders, lawyers, doctors, business professionals, and more, ensuring a diverse range of perspectives and expertise to take the organisation forward.
Now
Since securing Mental Health Commission in 2021, Tenacious House has welcomed hundreds of men through its doors and continues to deliver excellent outcomes for residential participants. WAPHA funding since 2019 has enabled us to grow our Continuing Care in Community service, including expanding it by 50% due to the success of men completing the residential phase of recovery.
In 2024 we commenced a new and exciting Department of Justice Grant Project pilot project called RISE-UP: Transforming Criminality to Contribution. This 20-month residential program is designed to support men overcome drug-related crime behaviours with dedicated clinical and lived experience peer interventions. The project is being thoroughly evaluated by Edith Cowan University.
In 2024 we implemented and completed a Curtin University research project designed to help men improve fitness and nutrition. This 6-month project has led to new levels of fitness motivation with our residents and is now a core component of our weekly program.
Our unique integrated recovery program has supported successful long-term recovery for many residents with complex issues, with direct admissions from our major hospitals relieving high-demand beds and supporting our front-line hospital teams.
With over 70 Perth metropolitan agencies now referring to Tenacious House, we have a proactive and thorough approach to managing admissions and our welfare team guides individuals and agencies through an assessment and intake phase. This enables by individualised treatment programs and reflects a “no wrong door” approach to the admission process.
Government & Recognition Support
Tenacious House achieved external accreditation in the form of IHCA Certification in 2018 and recertification in 2021 & 2024, WAAMH and WANADA membership since 2019, WA Primary Health Alliance funding since 2019, and most recently a Department of Justice Grant in 2024.
Our unique program supported by WA State Government’s Mental Health Commission has enabled critical new referral pathways to be established with Perth Hospitals and Mental Health Units, with all major services now referring to Tenacious House. This is realised as a significant benefit to the community in relieving hospital beds that are in high demand and gives frontline teams the option of referring vulnerable men to our long-term residential service.
ECU Research
Tenacious House partners with Edith Cowan University in conducting extensive research into the organisation and its unique approach, to provide an evidence-based assessment on how to best position the organisation for future growth and development.
This was made possible through scientific investigation which required significant engagement with the people, and investigation of the service outputs and architecture.
Drawing on a range of quantitative and qualitative data, the reports provide a Service Model and Evaluation Framework to help the organisation move forward through four strategic focus areas: Excellent Care; Stakeholder Network; Governance and Leadership; and Sustainability.
ECU is now engaged in the evaluation of our Department of Justice project Rise-Up, which is being conducted with staff and clients over a 20-month project duration.
What’s Next?
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Building an exceptional team; delivering a best-in-class peer support program; ensuring continuity of care; and publishing research, outcomes, and lessons learned.
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A strong influencer in the mental health and social care sector; integrated with the community; established varied and robust strategic relationships to support growth; and delivering integrated and shared care services through partnerships.
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Diverse and dedicated Management Team/Board; strong executive leadership driving organisational development and sustainability; with positive organisational culture to drive employment and commitment.
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Varied funding to include recurring and project-based income; commitment to staff wellbeing; embedded culture of continuous learning; and well developed systems and processes.
Tenacious House is entering an exciting and important phase of development as an organisation, in readiness for further expansion and impact into the future.
As an organisation, we are committed to:
Are You Ready To Help Save Lives?
Tenacious House stands on the collective goodwill, tenacity and connections of community members.
Through partnering with Tenacious House, your financial support and compassion can help save lives and reunite families.
A dollar in the hands of Tenacious House has a multiplier effect throughout the community.