The BC Poverty Reduction Coalition:

The BC Poverty Reduction Coalition is a coalition that includes community and non-profit groups, faith groups, health organizations, First Nations & Aboriginal organizations, businesses, etc. Their mission is to raise awareness about poverty and inequality, and improve the health and wellbeing of all British Columbians. This is a website worth checking out for its abundance of resources.

Poverty Free Action Team

One of the great resources available on the website is the Poverty Free Action Team. Any one of us can, in fact, become a part of the Poverty Free Action Team! They meet for discussions and workshops on the last Wednesday of every month, 6:30-8:30 pm. This team has done work such as:

The team even makes youtube videos and podcasts!

A couple more resources from the website for self-education:

• Youth homelessness solutions from those with lived expertise: https://rcybc.ca/reports-and-publications/reports/general-reports/from-marginalized-to-magnified/

• 2019 BC Child poverty report card: https://still1in5.ca/

Victoria Resources:

Sydney and Hailey are doing their practicums in the Victoria area, so they carried out research specific to the area. The following resources may be of use to an individual or an educator in the same area.

The Greater Victoria Coalition to End Homelessness (the Coalition): Youth at Risk

• • "The Coalition consists of local housing, health and social service providers; non-profit organizations; all levels of government; businesses; the faith community; people with a lived experience of homelessness (past or present); and members of the general public."

  • They carry out activities centred around funding effectiveness, system effectiveness, inclusiveness, evidence-based reporting, and building capacity.

  • On their page, they point out that findings from the 2016 Point-in-Time Count show that youth experience hidden homelessness more than any other population (possibly due to traumatic experiences, family violence, poverty and disconnection from schools, communities and social service support, etc.)

TAPS BC: https://www.tapsbc.ca/

• • "TAPS is one of the largest providers of free, face-to-face legal advocacy for people with income assistance, disability benefits, employment standards, and tenancy issues. [They] help over 7,000 people in Victoria each year."

  • They also provide legal education and training through seminars

  • They produce a newsletter, TAPROOT, with updated legal information

Coolaid: https://coolaid.org/

• • The Victoria Cool Aid Society acts to end homelessness and improve our quality of life by working with others to build a community where:

    • No one is forced to sleep on the street or go hungry.

• Everyone who needs supportive housing is getting it.

• Integrated health care service to treat illness and promote wellness is provided.

• Integrated services are provided to those with mental health and addiction issues.

• Their website provides a variety of links to services such as housing, health care and food banks, as well as employment services.

Threshold Housing: https://www.thresholdhousing.ca/

• • "At Threshold Housing Society, we offer more than a safe environment: we provide a community for at-risk youth in Greater Victoria to call home. A place filled with support, understanding, and sanctuary, without judgement, where you're accepted for who you are."

  • Threshold Housing Society aims to provide housing to at-risk youth to help end adult homelessness before it even begins.

Pacifica Housing: https://pacificahousing.ca/

Greater Vic Housing: https://greatervichousing.org/