Posted on Jan 25, 2017
Cheryl Thomas introduced Jo-Ann Roberts presented an update on the Threshold Housing Society, one of our grant recipients last year.
 
 
Jo-Ann started by thanking Harbourside for their strong support, not only in funding but in hands-on work - painting furniture and doing major gardening work at the new Threshold House in Oak Bay.
 
Threshold Housing Society provides supported housing for youth who at risk of homelessness.  The Victoria School Board estimates that 20% of high school-aged youth are inappropriately housed - they are living in unsafe conditions, couch surfing at friends' houses or in vans, carrying their lives in their backpacks and trying to 'fit in'.  It's a growing crisis and a situation that we need to deal with because 37% of chronic homeless first became homeless when they were under 18. 
 
Threshold Housing Society provides 'doors' for youth.  A place where they can close the door and be safe.  Their different programs include:
 
  1. SHY - Scattered Housing Youth.  In this program, Threshold takes the lease for the young person as so many of these youth cannot get references for leases and don't show enough years of employment.  The youth are actively working, looking for work, or going to school.  Youth pay 30% of their income for the rent and Threshold subsidizes the balance.  With bachelor suites starting at $1000 per month, this support is critical to keeping the youth safely housed.   The youth are required to attend Threshold's "Self Worthshops" which Harbourside provided a significant grant of about $14,000.  The program teaches the youth critical living skills (financial management, entering into a lease and being a good tenant, managing a food budget for good nutrition, etc.) while also providing social support amongst the youth.
  2. Transitional Housing.  This program provides family type housing where the youth live together in a house, each with their own room; and with shared kitchens and living rooms.  Staff and/or 'house parents' also live at the house and/or are there during the day providing guidance.  The newest house, The Threshold House in Oak Bay, leased from Oak Bay United Church has bachelor apartments plus a large shared kitchen, dining room and living room.  This is where the 'Self Worthshops' are held.
Youth are allowed to receive assistance and support from Threshold Housing Society for 2 years which is sufficient time for them to gain skills and be able to cope out on their own.  When they enter Threshold, they are given a handmade quilt which they take with them when they 'graduate' (they take a piece of home with them).  Threshold Housing Society receives some funding from BC Housing; but, otherwise depend on fundraising.  Since 2013, Harbourside has given them $29,000.  Our support is greatly appreciated because the programs do change lives.  They currently serve 40 young people but have 120 applicants awaiting 'a door'.
 
Jo-Ann shared some individual stories with us - one young woman who had been in 80 foster homes in her life.  Another young woman who had been lucky enough to be in a pretty caring foster home (who even helped her apply to Threshold); but, who kicked her out of her home on her 19th birthday when the funding stopped and she had 2 more months before she could get into the new Threshold House so she had to couch surf for 2 months.  One young woman has a child who is foster care with family members - she cleaned up from her addiction so she could get into Threshold Housing and after 2 years, she has re-built her relationship with her family and she are her child are moving out into their own apartment.
 
Shellie Gudgeon thanked Jo-Ann for her presentation and presented her with the certificate for  Operation Eyesight, stating that in her role as a city councilor, she was the liaison for Threshold and the community loves them and what they do for the youth and the community building that they engage in.