News & Events
Home Sweet Home
Donor Impact
“This building is an absolute dream to operate,” says Aarmin Purewal, Operational Manager of Housing and Shelters at Our Place, and Site Supervisor of the building in question – Our Place’s brand new permanent supportive housing facility. Funded by BC Housing, in partnership with the federal government and the Capital Regional District (CRD), the building […]
Moments of Hope and Belonging
Donor Impact
As the pandemic becomes part of our collective history, Our Place is shifting direction back to our roots and returning to our core values: unconditional love, safety, teamwork, hope and belonging. These values have guided us for nearly 55 years, and now as programs and services can return safely to all locations, a renewed sense […]
Peers Helping Peers
Volunteer Stories
A huge asset to Our Place is our team of dedicated volunteers. Within that group of 300+ volunteers you’ll find a group called Peers Helping Peers (PHP), a program supported by Island Health. Twenty Our Place family members commit to volunteering 10 to 20 hours a month. They serve many roles, mentoring fellow volunteers in […]
Normand’s Story
Story
Normand — known on the streets of Victoria as The Poet — is a man who feels immensely. His thoughts come to him in poetry, the words complete with intense emotion. Born in Quebec some 62 years ago, Normand was the 4th of 7 children, but always felt like an outsider. “My childhood was very […]
Hungry Hearts Vital to Feeding Victoria Communities
News
Media release June 12, 2023 For Immediate Release VICTORIA, B.C. As the largest provider of emergency meals in the Greater Victoria region, the rising cost of ingredients has become a major challenge for Our Place. “We need to find $175,000 this year alone just to purchase protein,” says Kitchen Manager Brian Cox whose team serves […]
Unconditional Love Conquers All
Donor Impact
When you think of the few thousand people experiencing poverty and homelessness Our Place serves each year, a story about true love may not be the first thing that comes to mind. Two seniors that Salome Waters, Our Place’s Seniors Inclusion Worker, visits are Sylvia, 67, and Nathan, 71, who have “been together 19 years, […]
Finding Hope at Our WorkPlace
Donor Impact
In October 2022, Our WorkPlace celebrated five years of nourishing change and breaking down barriers for those living with challenges who want to re-enter the workforce. Our WorkPlace manager Ashley MacDonald (above) holds up a “selfie” sign to celebrate this milestone. In 2022, 170 clients gained invaluable employment skills training at Our WorkPlace, and 80 […]
Freedom and Acceptance at New Roads
Donor Impact
Self-described “functional addict” Dean was never homeless, didn’t face poverty or lose his job. But, like so many of those we serve at Our Place, the trauma in his past, including coming from a broken home and a stint in foster care, played a big part in how his life unfolded as an adult. “I […]
Meet the Chefs of Our Place
Donor Impact
Food has the amazing gift of bringing us together. Gathering for a meal and sharing with others around us is a universally joyful experience. Here at Our Place it’s no different. Serving over 1,400 meals a day, 365 days a year, is no easy feat – but we love doing it because we know that […]
