The longer a person remains homeless, the less
likely they are
to have a chance for full restoration into the community.
A person becomes homeless because of:
- Unemployment or Underemployment
- Inability to Pay Rent
- Lack of Affordable Decent Rental
Housing
- Alcohol and Substance Misuse
|
- Family Violence
- Divorce
- Mental Illness / Illness/
- Accident
- Lack of Family Support System
|
VHES - Providing Temporary Dignified Affordable Housing
for Over 17 Years.....
Anyone can become homeless/ unemployed overnight
these days. Without an address and a phone number, people cannot
begin to seek employment. The Society rents houses from sympathetic
landlords and welcomes poverty-afflicted persons who live at these
houses until they solve the challenges facing them and move on
to permanent housing. We are particularly concerned with persons
in recovery from substance misuse (who have at least three months
clean and sober); persons with mental illness who have medication
and support; and persons seeking re-integration with estranged
families.
We currently facilitate nine houses:
|
In Victoria: |
Charlie Pyott House, Esther’s House, Edith Gulland
House, Linda Jim House, the Fr.Michael J. McGivney House,
Mary Gordon House, Ken Barnett House and Lawrence Moon House;
|
|
On Saltspring Island: |
Grandma’s House and Bittancourt Manor |
|
In Sidney |
Frances Thibeau House and Judy Thomas House |
City of Gardens--the Other Side of the Fence
: Human Exchange Fundraiser
Go to Publications Page for more Information
on this first of a series of five Books by Patrick Schnerch. Each
book will depict one year of real time, consisting of documentation
of events, statistics and facts about Homelessness in Victoria
BC
The whole idea for writing the book series is to provide awareness
about mental illness, addiction and homelessness plus raise funds
for charity. That is the sole reason for this five year project.
With purchases direct from the author, we guarantee that $12.50
goes to VHES.
The VHES is a completely volunteer non-profit Society
and NOT an agency (which has paid staff and volunteers).
We are entering our teen years and with the growth
of our Houses we require more people to share gifts of many skills
and labours.
Please refer to the list of services and skills
that are needed. If you wish to be part of the Human Exchange,
download the Volunteer Application Form.
Thank you for your willingness to consider taking
part in " the exchange of life's gifts".
Download Volunteer Application. (doc)
(pdf
Thank you to those who have already offered to
assist with furnishings and small appliances. We ask you to page
us if you have anything to spare:
Thanks to all those who attended our 17th Birthday Celebration/
AGM.
See
story from Peninsula New Review - June 15, 2007
Home ‘a temporary anchor’
See
story from Victoria News - January 12, 2007
Home, Sweet, Temporary
Home
email:
vhesvic@victoria.tc.ca
grandmas@saltspring.com
Greater Victoria pager: 361-2762
Greater Victoria: Phone/ FAX: 656-6242
For the men's houses in Victoria: Don Williams: 250-889-2836
From outside Victoria only : 1-800-691-9366
Mayne Island: phone/fax:539-5310
Financial donations may be sent to:
Box 8534
Victoria BC
V8W 3S1
