Our Place

Icy conditions down Pandora Avenue, have made life even more difficult for the unhoused as they battle the conditions to try and stay warm. (Thomas Eley/ News Staff)

‘They’re freezing to death’: Victoria’s unhoused community battles cold weather

Shelter coordinators say people are trying to stay warm, but they don’t always access facilities

 

Joshua Ritch proudly shows off his position as house leader, earned through his success in the New Roads Therapeutic Recovery Community program and his dedication to supporting his fellow residents, during a media tour of the View Royal facility Thursday (Sept. 14). (Justin Samanski-Langille/News Staff)

‘I have a new life’: View Royal rehab community a success amid drug crisis

New Roads Therapeutic Recovery Community proves value of spreading unique model

 

A three-storey banner has been installed on the front of Our Place in response to B.C.’s toxic drug deaths. (Brendan Mayer/News Staff)

Victoria’s Our Place installs three-storey banner about toxic drug crisis

B.C. saw 2,272 people die from poisoned drugs in 2022

 

Victoria Mayor Marianne Alto serves meals on Wednesday (Dec. 21) at Our Place Society’s annual Christmas event. (Brendan Mayer/News Staff)

Victoria’s Our Place and dignitaries serve up Christmas cheer

Dignitaries and Media personalities helped serve meals at Our Place

Victoria Mayor Marianne Alto serves meals on Wednesday (Dec. 21) at Our Place Society’s annual Christmas event. (Brendan Mayer/News Staff)
Camosun College hospitality management student Kaitlyn Simons prepares a meal. (Courtesy of Camosun College)

Camosun students preparing meal for Victoria’s Our Place clients

The program first teamed up with Our Place in 2011 but paused in 2020 because of COVID-19

Camosun College hospitality management student Kaitlyn Simons prepares a meal. (Courtesy of Camosun College)
An unhoused individual’s belongings sheltered by a tent in Pioneer Square on Quadra Street. (Hollie Ferguson/VicNews)

Victoria’s Our Place films daily operations of Dandelion Street Outreach Program

The video shows how the outreach team interacts with more isolated communities that shelter in parks

An unhoused individual’s belongings sheltered by a tent in Pioneer Square on Quadra Street. (Hollie Ferguson/VicNews)
Our Place Society’s annual Hungry Hearts fundraiser is back and even more important than ever. Toque chef Nicholas Waters (left) and Joshua Allan prepare their dish for a previous edition of the fundraiser. (Black Press Media file Photo)

Timing is crucial as Our Place foodie fundraiser returns to Victoria

The Hungry Hearts Live Gala is set for Sept. 10

Our Place Society’s annual Hungry Hearts fundraiser is back and even more important than ever. Toque chef Nicholas Waters (left) and Joshua Allan prepare their dish for a previous edition of the fundraiser. (Black Press Media file Photo)
The kitchen at Our Place has served up an average of more than 1,000 meals per day so far in 2022. With food costs continuing to rise, the charity is concerned about meeting the demand. (Photo by Derek Ford/Our Place Society)

Rising food costs, hike in demand cause for concern at Our Place in Victoria

‘We are struggling this year to make ends meet’: Our Place CEO

The kitchen at Our Place has served up an average of more than 1,000 meals per day so far in 2022. With food costs continuing to rise, the charity is concerned about meeting the demand. (Photo by Derek Ford/Our Place Society)
Our Place Society offered vulnerable women donated cosmetics, costume jewelry, nail polish, hair accessories and cosmetic bags and the handiwork of volunteer hairdressers and estheticians for its 13th annual Beauty Day on May 20. (Evert Lindquist/News Staff)

Beauty Day at Our Place allows women to shine

Event returns after COVID-hiatus to make female ‘oasis of beauty,’ says program manager

Our Place Society offered vulnerable women donated cosmetics, costume jewelry, nail polish, hair accessories and cosmetic bags and the handiwork of volunteer hairdressers and estheticians for its 13th annual Beauty Day on May 20. (Evert Lindquist/News Staff)
The 260 workers at Our Place Society have voted to join the B.C. Government and Employees’ Union. (Black Press Media file photo)

Workers at Victoria’s Our Place Society vote to unionize

The 260 employees working at 10 sites across Greater Victoria join the BCGEU

The 260 workers at Our Place Society have voted to join the B.C. Government and Employees’ Union. (Black Press Media file photo)
Oak Bay student Ella Hostad sorts donations gathered by her peers at Monterey Middle School ahead of packing bags of comfort to give out to people experiencing homelessness. (Christine van Reeuwyk/News Staff)

VIDEO: Oak Bay students pack bags of comfort for those experiencing homelessness

Monterey community donates more than 100 packages to Our Place Society

Oak Bay student Ella Hostad sorts donations gathered by her peers at Monterey Middle School ahead of packing bags of comfort to give out to people experiencing homelessness. (Christine van Reeuwyk/News Staff)
On an already frigid Feb. 22, Penny Tennenhouse, of team Avodah, dons her Coldest Night of the Year merch outside of her home in Fairfield. (Kiernan Green/News Staff)

Freezing temperatures won’t stop Greater Victoria residents from raising funds for shelter spaces

Coldest Night of the Year walkathon to blend individual, group participation

On an already frigid Feb. 22, Penny Tennenhouse, of team Avodah, dons her Coldest Night of the Year merch outside of her home in Fairfield. (Kiernan Green/News Staff)
Camosun College massage therapy students Nicole Ross, Jessica Marks, Amanda Dowie, Taylor Wall-Baker, Beth Langdon stand outside the teaching clinic at the school’s Interurban campus. The school has partnered with the New Roads Therapeutic Recovery Community in View Royal to provide massages to men undergoing addiction recovery treatment. (Photo courtesy of Camosun College)

Camosun College partners with View Royal recovery community to offer massage therapy

Students gain real-world experience, residents gain access to treatment, often for first time

Camosun College massage therapy students Nicole Ross, Jessica Marks, Amanda Dowie, Taylor Wall-Baker, Beth Langdon stand outside the teaching clinic at the school’s Interurban campus. The school has partnered with the New Roads Therapeutic Recovery Community in View Royal to provide massages to men undergoing addiction recovery treatment. (Photo courtesy of Camosun College)
Outreach workers Kia and Kim in front of Our Place Society’s new mobile Dandelion Street Outreach van. (Kiernan Green/News Staff)

Victoria’s Our Place Society takes service on the road, honours Dandelion Society

New van helps continue outreach work of retired street community advocate Rev. Al Tysick

Outreach workers Kia and Kim in front of Our Place Society’s new mobile Dandelion Street Outreach van. (Kiernan Green/News Staff)
The site of the Capital City Center Hotel at Douglas and Discovery streets, along with the closed White Spot restaurant and parking lot next door, are part of a new development proposal by BC Housing to provide a variety of housing types. (Black Press Media file photo)

BC Housing presents vision for major redevelopment of downtown hotel property

Site of Capital City Center Hotel, former White Spot, targeted for various levels of rental housing

The site of the Capital City Center Hotel at Douglas and Discovery streets, along with the closed White Spot restaurant and parking lot next door, are part of a new development proposal by BC Housing to provide a variety of housing types. (Black Press Media file photo)
Our Place Society volunteers serve up Christmas lunch at the downtown service provider’s Dec. 22 event. (Photo by Grant McKenzie/Our Place)

Our Place Society dishes up holiday cheer at annual Christmas lunch in Victoria

COVID-19 restrictions don’t stop celebratory event from providing a hearty meal for the hungry

Our Place Society volunteers serve up Christmas lunch at the downtown service provider’s Dec. 22 event. (Photo by Grant McKenzie/Our Place)
Students from Camosun College’s criminal justice program, pictured alongside an Our Place volunteer (centre), gathered donated clothes for the organization. (Our Place Society/Twitter)

Our Place Society receives ‘truckloads’ of clothing from Camosun group

College’s criminal justice students collected donations as part of curriculum

Students from Camosun College’s criminal justice program, pictured alongside an Our Place volunteer (centre), gathered donated clothes for the organization. (Our Place Society/Twitter)
Heavy November rains have made living outdoors an even bigger challenge for those experiencing homelessness. Victoria’s Our Place Society helped dozens of people dry out and get warm after Monday’s storm. (Photo courtesy Grant McKenzie/Our Place Society)

Record rain, pandemic staffing, mental health issues compound on Victoria’s homeless

Monday’s storm exposed gaps in support system for those facing homelessness

Heavy November rains have made living outdoors an even bigger challenge for those experiencing homelessness. Victoria’s Our Place Society helped dozens of people dry out and get warm after Monday’s storm. (Photo courtesy Grant McKenzie/Our Place Society)
Warm clothes can become lifesaving items for at-risk residents when winter weather strikes. (Black Press Media file photo)

Clothing donations needed across Greater Victoria

Warm outerwear most requested for those in need, as winter looms

Warm clothes can become lifesaving items for at-risk residents when winter weather strikes. (Black Press Media file photo)
Ashley MacDonald, manager of Our WorkPlace, is excited about the organization’s receipt of $180,000 in provincial funding that will help more people retrain to get back into the workforce. (Black Press Media file photo)

Funding for Victoria’s Our Workplace to help up to 32 people re-enter workforce

Province announces $180,000 for the People in Progress project

Ashley MacDonald, manager of Our WorkPlace, is excited about the organization’s receipt of $180,000 in provincial funding that will help more people retrain to get back into the workforce. (Black Press Media file photo)