Our Place

Only about half a dozen staff members each of Our Place Society and Victoria Cool Aid Society do not yet have a COVID-19 vaccine, following a mandate by both organizations that staff receive it. (Black Press Media file photo)

Staff vaccination mandate has high success rate for Victoria’s Our Place, Cool Aid

COVID-19 vaccine requirement similar to that for provincial healthcare workers

Only about half a dozen staff members each of Our Place Society and Victoria Cool Aid Society do not yet have a COVID-19 vaccine, following a mandate by both organizations that staff receive it. (Black Press Media file photo)
The Victoria Police Department is asking for $63 million for their 2022 budget. (Black Press Media file photo)

Downtown Victoria businesses and non-profits sign off on 7% police budget increase

Officials with variety of agencies draft joint letter calling on city hall to approve VicPD budget

The Victoria Police Department is asking for $63 million for their 2022 budget. (Black Press Media file photo)
Clothing donations can be dropped off at 919 Pandora Ave. any time. (Black Press Media file photo)

Our Place Society seeks underwear, sock donations

Centre serving unhoused residents asks for local support

Clothing donations can be dropped off at 919 Pandora Ave. any time. (Black Press Media file photo)
Our Place Society volunteers and cooks Liina Mynttinen and Mike Radovanovic with one of their Thanksgiving meals for their clients. (Kiernan Green/News Staff)

Our Place Society Thanksgiving meal creates bonds of family, despite lack of volunteers

Meals were served cafeteria-style by a team of six kitchen staff

Our Place Society volunteers and cooks Liina Mynttinen and Mike Radovanovic with one of their Thanksgiving meals for their clients. (Kiernan Green/News Staff)
Gordy Dodd has been hosting special dinners for vulnerable members of the community for more than two decades. His company is doing so again for Thanksgiving, in Victoria on Oct. 8 at Our Place (shown here during a previous dinner), and in Nanaimo and Campbell River, also next week. (Black Press Media file photo)

Victoria-based merchant hosting 23rd annual Thanksgiving dinners

Those in need can dine in Victoria, Nanaimo and Campbell River, courtesy Dodd’s Furniture & Mattress

Gordy Dodd has been hosting special dinners for vulnerable members of the community for more than two decades. His company is doing so again for Thanksgiving, in Victoria on Oct. 8 at Our Place (shown here during a previous dinner), and in Nanaimo and Campbell River, also next week. (Black Press Media file photo)
Our Place Society has seen increased non-compliance towards mask wearing and more violent incidents in the area, amid a backdrop of higher numbers of COVID cases within the community that uses its drop-in centre. (Black Press Media file photo)

Our Place Society in Victoria sends strong message by closing drop-in centre for a day

CEO cites need to ‘regroup’ amid rising levels of COVID, mask non-compliance and violent incidents

Our Place Society has seen increased non-compliance towards mask wearing and more violent incidents in the area, amid a backdrop of higher numbers of COVID cases within the community that uses its drop-in centre. (Black Press Media file photo)
Staff unload donations of bottled water that will be handed out to Chilliwack’s homeless community. Our Place in Victoria is seeking public donations of reusable water bottles to supply the city’s homeless population. (Black Press Media file photo)

Our Place Society seeks donations of reusable water bottles during heat wave

Those experiencing homelessness in downtown Victoria are at special risk in warmer weather

Staff unload donations of bottled water that will be handed out to Chilliwack’s homeless community. Our Place in Victoria is seeking public donations of reusable water bottles to supply the city’s homeless population. (Black Press Media file photo)
Ashley MacDonald, Our WorkPlace manager, outside their offices newly revealed facade featuring their new name. (Kiernan Green / Victoria News Staff)

OurPlace rebrands Victoria employment service: Our WorkPlace

Move follows success of employment and computer training for people with employment barriers

Ashley MacDonald, Our WorkPlace manager, outside their offices newly revealed facade featuring their new name. (Kiernan Green / Victoria News Staff)
The Tiny Home Village, at 940 Caledonia Ave., is set to welcome 30 residents starting May 12. (Jane Skrypnek/News Staff)

No influx of animals as people move from parks to housing in Victoria: BC SPCA

Our Place Society says the bulk of its housing sites allows for pets, with rules

The Tiny Home Village, at 940 Caledonia Ave., is set to welcome 30 residents starting May 12. (Jane Skrypnek/News Staff)
Victoria council is considering providing extra funding to Our Place in order to extend the hours for showers. (Black Press Media file photo)

Victoria to consider extra funds for longer shower hours at Our Place

It would cost the city $15,000 per month for an extra five hours of access each day

Victoria council is considering providing extra funding to Our Place in order to extend the hours for showers. (Black Press Media file photo)
The Victoria Cool Aid Society community centre on Pandora Avenue has been leased by Our Place Society to provide night shelter for homeless people. (Victoria Cool Aid Society Facebook)

Our Place teams up to add emergency night shelter space in Victoria

Collaborative effort with Victoria Cool Aid Society adds 20 beds

The Victoria Cool Aid Society community centre on Pandora Avenue has been leased by Our Place Society to provide night shelter for homeless people. (Victoria Cool Aid Society Facebook)
Sandwiches are made for the homeless as Our Place closes its drop-in amidst COVID-19. All meals will now be served outside of 919 Pandora Ave. (Courtesy of Grant McKenzie/Our Place)

Social services groups take extra precautions for Victoria’s most vulnerable amid pandemic

Our Place, Cool Aid, Mustard Seed change procedure for sake of health and safety

Sandwiches are made for the homeless as Our Place closes its drop-in amidst COVID-19. All meals will now be served outside of 919 Pandora Ave. (Courtesy of Grant McKenzie/Our Place)
Nina Despins has her hair done by volunteer hairdresser, Mandy Rogers as make-up artist, Erin Bradley, looks on during Our Place’s annual Beauty Day. (Black Press Media file photo)

Our Place Society brings back annual beauty day

Beauty Day is taking place on Valentine’s Day

Nina Despins has her hair done by volunteer hairdresser, Mandy Rogers as make-up artist, Erin Bradley, looks on during Our Place’s annual Beauty Day. (Black Press Media file photo)
Mallory Delarge, coordinator of Rock Bay landing with 10,000 pairs of socks. (Nicole Crescenzi/News Staff)

Victoria resident helps collect 100,000 pairs of socks for the homeless

Michael Bloomfield has worked on the Socks Project for 12 years

Mallory Delarge, coordinator of Rock Bay landing with 10,000 pairs of socks. (Nicole Crescenzi/News Staff)
Every month for 10 years, volunteers with Vets for Pets have treated animals of low income, transient and homeless people at Our Place. (File submitted/ Richard Leon Gauthier Photography)

Vet services for Victoria’s pets of the homeless cancelled for first time in a decade

Vets for Pets faces a volunteer shortage that’s forced the group to cancel its recent service

Every month for 10 years, volunteers with Vets for Pets have treated animals of low income, transient and homeless people at Our Place. (File submitted/ Richard Leon Gauthier Photography)
Beauty Day spreads ‘brightness’ at Our Place

Beauty Day spreads ‘brightness’ at Our Place

Volunteer hairdressers, estheticians, even a tarot card reader took part in the Victoria event

Beauty Day spreads ‘brightness’ at Our Place
The new Therapeutic Recovery Community will be housed in the former Choices Transitional Housing site in View Royal. (Grant McKenzie/Our Place)

Our Place’s addiction recovery community opening Friday in View Royal

The Therapeutic Recovery Community aims to break the cycle of homelessness

  • Oct 25, 2018
The new Therapeutic Recovery Community will be housed in the former Choices Transitional Housing site in View Royal. (Grant McKenzie/Our Place)
Elfrida Schragen stands in front of some of the portraits she painted of frequent visitors to Our Place. (Nicole Crescenzi/News Staff)

VIDEO: Victoria artist paints portraits of the homeless

Elfrida Schragen says spending time with patrons of Our Place has changed her view on homelessness

Elfrida Schragen stands in front of some of the portraits she painted of frequent visitors to Our Place. (Nicole Crescenzi/News Staff)
Registered nurse and program co-ordinator Maude Blanchette Lamothe sits inside the new Victoria mobile health clinic, a joint program between Doctors of the World and Telus Health. The mobile clinic will work with members of the city’s street community to provide health care to those who might otherwise fall through the cracks. Photo courtesy Telus Health

Mobile health clinic treats underserved patients where they are in Victoria

Telus Health and Doctors for the World team up to expand idea

Registered nurse and program co-ordinator Maude Blanchette Lamothe sits inside the new Victoria mobile health clinic, a joint program between Doctors of the World and Telus Health. The mobile clinic will work with members of the city’s street community to provide health care to those who might otherwise fall through the cracks. Photo courtesy Telus Health