Finally, people find a pathway off Pandora
I
t’s been an intense summer on Pandora with significant challenges and difficult events, but with the likelihood of all street camping ending by winter, with the unhoused on Pandora moving into shelter and housing, I’m feeling more optimistic than I have for years. For a very long time, we have refused to accept that a tent on a sidewalk is any place to reside. It is one of the reasons why we called for action from those who have the means to provide the shelter, housing, mental health and addiction supports that folk need to successfully get off Pandora. And they have been listening. And, more importantly, acting. We have been working closely and collaboratively with the City of Victoria, Victoria Police, Island Health, BC Housing, Ministry of Housing and other service providers to implement long-term, sustainable solutions to street homelessness in Victoria.
The first step has been the opening of 40 new shelter beds in our existing locations to provide immediate care to those sleeping in our parks and on our sidewalks.
We won’t stop working together and advocating until everybody has a safe place inside where they can regain their dignity, health and connection to life-transforming supports.
Our Place’s staff and volunteers have never worked harder to make the daily survival of our family members a top priority, and it’s their compassion that spurs us on to fight for solutions. And I want to emphasize, we do believe there are solutions. Before the end of the year, our hard work will pay off as we open our first, long-term Therapeutic Recovery Community for Women. The demolition stage is complete, and the building of this healing community has begun. Based on our successful men’s program, New Roads, where 110 individuals received treatment in the last year alone, the women’s community will be completely self-contained to best serve our residents in their journey out of addiction. Action. Healing. Results. None of this would be possible without your support. Thank you! With much gratitude, Julian Daly Chief Executive Officer Our Place Society
To donate to Our Place Society, please visit us at: ourplacesociety.com/donate, call 250-940-5060, or email donors@ourplacesociety.com
INSIDE
But make no mistake, we see this as just that, a first step.
We envision a day when multiple avenues of support are in place: sober housing for people coming out of recovery and treatment; women’s-only housing for safety and healing; pet-friendly housing; and, yes, additional emergency shelter for those who need a respite from the elements and want to start their journey to permanent housing.