Bio:

Gary Thandi is the Founder and Executive Director of Moving Forward Family Services (MFFS), a non-profit organization in Surrey, BC, dedicated to providing accessible and low-barrier mental health services. With a Master’s Degree in Social Work and extensive coursework towards a Doctorate in Education, Gary has over 20 years of experience in social work. As the Founder and Executive Director of Moving Forward Family Services, he has created a revolutionary model that provides free and affordable mental health services through supervised volunteers and practicum students in counselling programs. This model ensures that those who cannot afford traditional therapy still receive the support they need; and that new counsellors can learn about the unique needs of South Asians throughout BC. Under his leadership, MFFS offered 15,000 free sessions of counselling in the previous year; and of the 5,000 paid sessions the agency provided—the average fee paid was between just $5.00 & $8.00. Gary's work has been recognized with numerous awards, including the 2023 BC Achievement Foundation’s Community Award, the 2023 BC Crime Prevention-Safer Communities Award, and he was chosen as BC's representative for the 2024 Canadian Association of Social Workers’ Distinguished Service Award. His contributions have also led his counselling agency to win Charity Village’s 2023 Best Nonprofit Volunteer Program award. His efforts extend beyond just service provision; he is also deeply invested in the professional development of new social workers and counsellors, hosting over 200 students from various programs across Canada. This not only enhances the skills of these future professionals but also ensures that more people can access the mental health support they need. He recruits therapists with second-language abilities and provides services in over 20 languages. He is a familiar face at charity gala events, where he supports local initiatives, and he frequently networks with senior leaders from government, non-profits, and the education sector. Through these interactions, he helps to develop strategies and best practices for the care of South Asian community members in need of counselling support. His outreach efforts at community fairs, public events, guest presentations, and lectures further amplify the impact of his work—and spread the word that these services exist.