International Women’s Day 2024

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As we mark International Women’s Day today, we stand in solidarity with women, girls, and femmes across the globe, celebrating their strength and resilience in the face of adversity. This day serves as a reminder of both their remarkable achievements and the ongoing struggle against gender-based violence, misogyny, and oppression.

Tragically, the statistics from the Canadian Femicide Observatory for Justice and Accountability paint a grim reality. In 2023, 189 women and girls were violently killed in Canada, with 145 cases involving a male accused. This represents a devastating 19% increase from 2019.

Even more alarming is the fact that 76% of these incidents occur in the supposed safety of their homes. For many, the very place where they should feel secure becomes a trap of violence, exacerbating an already dire housing crisis.

At the Alliance to End Homelessness in the Capital Region, we refuse to accept this cycle of violence. We are committed to empowering survivors on their journey to independence and healing. Our latest blog post details the steps we’re taking to challenge this epidemic and support those affected.

Together, let’s stand with survivors, as depicted in the inspiring photo, as we strive to create a world where every woman, girl, and femme can live free from fear and oppression.

Today, and every day, let us celebrate the strength, unity, and resilience of women everywhere. Together, we can build a future where every woman’s right to safety and dignity is fiercely protected.

Free Income Tax Clinic in Victoria – 2024

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For additional questions, you may reach out directly to:

Liam Anderson-Young (He/Him)

Programs Manager – Social Concern Office

Society of Saint Vincent de Paul

833 Yates St, Victoria, BC V8V3M2

Phone Number: 250-727-0007 ext 3223

Cancellation – Extreme Weather Response

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Pursuant to sec. 2(2)(e) of the Assistance to Shelter Act the Extreme Weather Alert (EWA) issued

March 6th  for the municipality of Victoria, British Columbia, is now cancelled. The authorities in the Assistance to Shelter Act for police to assist persons at risk due to extreme weather conditions are no longer in effect.

This Cancellation of an EWA is being issued on (date) at March 7th, 2024, due to improved weather conditions and forecast.

Cancellation of an EWA issued by: Andreas Siebert, EWR Coordinator, Salvation Army ARC, Community Representative for the municipality of Victoria, British Columbia.

Budget 2024 – Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce Luncheon

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The Alliance’s Executive Director, Sylvia Ceacero, attended the Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce Luncheon  last week where the Honourable Katrine Conroy, Minister of Finance, presented the highlights of the 2024 budget.

The Minister explained that this is not the time to cut services that British Columbians are counting on. As the housing, health, drug overdose, inflation, and economic slowdown rage on, the government’s choice was to present a deficit budget to tackle these issues head on.

The Minister spoke of the government’s focus on housing for middle-income earners; health care, such as cancer treatment and the drug poisoning crisis; child care that is affordable; public transit for growing communities; public safety initiatives; and small business’ supports among other focus areas; however, she only briefly alluded to the homelessness crisis that continues to devastate our street family in our communities. She provided no insights as to how Belonging in BC, the BC government’s homelessness strategy, will be concretely implemented. The Alliance has made a commitment to continue to work with the Ministry of Housing on this strategy so we can arrive at functional zero, where experiences of homelessness are rare, brief, and non-recurring, by 2030.

In times of economic uncertainty, we look to all orders of government, to lead and show clarity in the choices they make to address social and systemic issues. We applaud the BC government’s plans to continue funding programs and services rather than making cuts that halt progress in initiatives that yield results. The Minister spoke several times about working together. If there was ever a time to ensure we are doing that, it is now.

Together we can end human suffering in homelessness. To help us achieve our mission of a region, a province and a country where everyone has a place they can call home, we ask you to become a member of the Alliance and to donate to support this critical work. Collaboration, advocacy and communication is now, more than ever, what we need to have in our communities.

The Coldest Night of the Year

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The Coldest Night of the Year event hosted this weekend by Our Place Society was a resounding success, with an incredible turnout and enthusiastic participation from the community. Despite the chilly weather, the warmth of compassion and solidarity shone brightly as 477 walkers, organized into 70 teams, gathered to support those experiencing hurt, hunger, and homelessness in Greater Victoria.

Among the dedicated participants were the passionate members of the Alliance to End Homelessness in the Capital Region. Their commitment to making a difference in the lives of vulnerable individuals was evident as they not only participated in the walk but also spearheaded a remarkable fundraising effort.
With the support of 46 volunteers ensuring the smooth execution of the event, the walkathon commenced from 1027 Pandora Ave., just a stone’s throw away from Our Place Society’s Community Center. Despite the brisk 5°C temperature, spirits remained high as walkers traversed the designated route, symbolically stepping towards a brighter future for those in need.
Thanks to the unwavering dedication and generosity of the Alliance to End Homelessness and all other participants, significant funds were raised to provide vital support and resources for individuals facing homelessness in the capital region. Their collective efforts have not only raised awareness but also fostered a sense of community and compassion, embodying the spirit of solidarity and empathy that defines Greater Victoria.
The success of this event serves as a testament to the power of community coming together to create positive change. Through their participation and fundraising efforts, the Alliance to End Homelessness and all involved have made a tangible difference in the lives of those most in need, reaffirming the belief that together, we can create a more inclusive and compassionate society for all.

Extreme Weather Alert – Feb 26, 2024

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Extreme Weather Alert

Date: February 26, 2024

Time: 11:30 am

Location: City of Victoria, British Columbia

—

In accordance with sec. 2(2)(b) of the Assistance to Shelter Act, an Extreme Weather Alert (EWA) is hereby issued for the city of Victoria, British Columbia. This alert activates the authorities outlined in the Assistance to Shelter Act, empowering police to assist individuals at risk due to severe weather conditions. The EWA will remain in effect until further notice.

Reason for Alert:

The EWA is issued due to the following weather conditions and forecast:

– Overnight temperatures are expected to reach zero Celsius.
– Temperatures lower than 4 Celsius can lead to conditions conducive to hypothermia due to extended exposure.

Shelters Providing Assistance:

1. The Salvation Army ARC
Address: 525 Johnson Street, Victoria BC
Capacity: 30 mats
Opening Time: 9:00 pm

2. Rock Bay Landing
Address: 535 Ellice St, Victoria, BC V8T 2G8
Capacity: 20 mats
Opening Time: 9:00 pm
Note: Pets are welcome but must be leashed and under the control of their owner at all times.

Residents in Need of Shelter:

Individuals seeking shelter during this Extreme Weather Alert are encouraged to make use of the designated shelters mentioned above. The safety and well-being of all residents, particularly those vulnerable to extreme weather conditions, are of utmost importance.

Issued by:

Salvation Army ARC,
Community Representative for the municipality of Victoria, British Columbia.

BC Builds Initiative 2024

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The Alliance to End Homelessness in the Capital Region applauds the Federal government’s $2B investment in the BC Builds initiative. The program focuses on building thousands of rental homes on public land that is underused. 20 potential sites have already been identified. The 8000-10000 rental units are aimed at providing middle-income earners some respite as more and more people struggle to access affordable housing which directly contributes to housing precarity and potentially, homelessness. For years, housing advocates have been asking governments for rent-geared-to-income housing where no more than 30 percent of income is spent on rent. With the rising costs of basic necessities, this is one of the many measures that our governments can undertake with a lens of homelessness prevention.

BC Builds will also use lower government borrowing rates to reduce construction costs. The province has also alluded to streamlining approval for projects to be completed in less than 18 months and local governments are looking at their processes to ensure that this ambitious plan is realized. As part of its mandate, the Alliance will continue to monitor and support progress on these initiatives through our shared accountability framework.

Strengthen the voice of the Alliance by becoming a member or by donating https://victoriahomelessness.ca/donate-now/. Help our organization realize our shared vision of a region, a province, and a country where everyone has a safe place, they can call home.

Pacific Canada Social Policy Forum 2024: A Confluence of Minds Shaping Community Welfare

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In a gathering marked by fervent dialogue and strategic collaboration, the 2024 Pacific Canada Social Policy Forum illuminated pathways toward bolstering societal support systems. Hosted by The Federation of Community Social Services of BC in conjunction with Board Voice, the event convened a mosaic of stakeholders, including Federation members, sector partners, and governmental representatives, under the overarching mission of advancing social policy efficacy.

The forum, spanning from February 14th to February 16th, delved into multifaceted issues, ranging from child and youth advocacy to homelessness eradication. Distinguished speakers such as Tim Agg of Board Voice, Jennifer Charlesworth, the Representative for Children and Youth of BC, and Sylvia Ceacero of the Alliance to End Homelessness in the Capital Region, lent their expertise, igniting insightful discussions and innovative propositions.

Central to the forum’s ethos was the cultivation of collaborative networks and the fortification of advocacy frameworks. Participants gleaned from thought leaders, engaged in critical discourse, and forged connections destined to catalyze actionable change within their respective spheres. Emphasizing inclusivity, the event beckoned attendees to be architects of societal progress, inspired by a collective vision of empowering vulnerable demographics.

Our Executive Director Sylvia Ceacero presented on the 2025-2030 Community Plan and a robust conversation was had, especially around the areas of prevention upstream in the homelessness sector.

Beyond intellectual discourse, the forum bore witness to moments of conviviality, notably during the Networking Dinner where participants indulged in lively exchanges amidst a backdrop of live entertainment. Such interludes fostered camaraderie, underscoring the significance of solidarity in effecting societal transformation.

As the curtains drew on the 2024 Social Policy Forum, its resonance reverberated far beyond the confines of the conference hall. Armed with newfound insights and fortified resolve, attendees departed with a renewed sense of purpose, poised to champion equitable social policies and champion the welfare of their communities.

The forum’s legacy endures as a testament to the power of collective endeavor in shaping a more just and compassionate society, underscoring The Federation’s unwavering commitment to effectuating positive change on behalf of all British Columbians.

Celebrating Black History Month

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February 1st marks the commencement of Black History Month, a time dedicated to recognizing and honoring the significant contributions of Black individuals throughout history. This year in Canada, the theme “Black Excellence: A Heritage to Celebrate; a Future to Build” emphasizes not only the historical achievements of Black Canadians but also the collective journey towards a more equitable future.

Aligned with the 10th year of the International Decade of People of African Descent (IDPAD), proclaimed by the UN General Assembly in 2013, this month serves as an opportunity to reflect on progress made and areas for improvement on a local, national, and global scale. The IDPAD aims to highlight the diverse culture and contributions of individuals of African descent while advocating for their rights and enhancing their quality of life.

In Victoria, numerous events are scheduled throughout the month to explore Black history from both local and national perspectives:
Events – BC Black History Awareness Society

Resources are also available from organizations like the Canadian Centre for Diversity and Inclusion, offering commemoration guides for Black History Month 2023 and educational materials on racism and anti-Black racism. The Government of Canada’s Black History Month webpage provides a digital toolkit, videos, and biographies of notable Black Canadians who have made significant contributions to the country’s history.

BC: British Columbia Black History Awareness Society

Canada: Visit the Government of Canada’s website for more societies and groups across Canada.

Additional Resources:

Film

National Film Board: Black Communities in Canada

Explore this free collection of films by award-winning Black filmmakers, creators, and allies of the Black community, detailing a rich history to better understand the present.

Journey to Justice
This documentary pays tribute to a group of Canadians who took racism to court. They are Canada’s unsung heroes in the fight for Black civil rights. Focusing on the 1930s to the 1950s, this film documents the struggle of six people who refused to accept inequality.

The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind (2019, UK, about Malawi)

(Available on Netflix) Winner of the NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Directing in a Motion Picture. Directed by Chiwetel Ejiofor, based on the true story of 13-year-old William Kamkwamba’s quest to builds a wind turbine to save his Malawian village from famine.

Two Distant Strangers (2021, USA)

(Available on Netflix) 2021 Oscar Winner, Best Live Action Short Film. In this Oscar-winning short film, a man trying to get home to his dog becomes stuck in a time loop that forces him to relive a deadly run-in with a cop.

National Film Board of Canada playlist celebrating Black History Month

A collection of 30 films by Black filmmakers, creators and allies that portray the multi-layered lives of Canada’s diverse Black communities.

Music

“Hymn to Freedom” by Oscar Peterson and Oliver Jones (2004, Canada)

Canada’s very own Montréalais Oscar Peterson’s “Hymn to Freedom” became an anthem of the US civil rights movement during the 1960s. This is Oscar Peterson and Oliver Jones’ last public appearance, playing at the Montreal Jazz Festival in 2004. Peterson died in 2007.

“Tutu” by Miles Davis (1986, USA)

Winner of the 1986 Best Jazz Instrumental Performance, Soloist Grammy Award. Miles Davis released the album Tutu in 1986, dedicated to Archbishop Desmond Tutu after being inspired by his humanitarianism and activism against the Apartheid regime.

Podcasts

How to spark change within our unequal education system (2021, Canada)

From the Conversation’s “Don’t Call Me Resilient” series. Carl James, professor of education at York University and Kulsoom Anwer, a high school teacher who works out of one of Toronto’s poorest neighbourhoods, discuss the inequalities and injustices in the public education system that have been exacerbated by COVID19 – and the way forward.

Black health matters (2021, Canada)

From the Conversation’s “Don’t Call Me Resilient” series. Roberta Timothy, assistant professor at the Dalla Lana School of Public Health at the University of Toronto, talk about her global health research project, Black Health Matters, and why racial justice is a public health matter.

Children’s Literature

Unspeakable: The Tulsa Race Massacre (2021, USA)

Winner of the 2022 Coretta Scott King Book Awards for Author and Illustrator and a 2022 Caldecott Honor Book. Written by Carole Boston Weatherford and illustrated by Floyd Cooper, a sensitive introduction for young readers (grades 3-6) about the devastation of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre, one of the worst incidents of racial violence in American history.

13 Exceptional Kid Lit Books to Read for Black History Month (2022, USA)

Booklist by the Anti-Defamation League. Recommended books include picture books, chapter books and graphic novels. Each book comes with two discussion guides: one for educators and one for families.

Black History Month Reads for Teens

A list of non-fiction, fiction, graphic novels and poetry that celebrate Black voices and illuminate Black history.

Historical fiction

Africville by Jeffrey Colvin (2019, Canada)

The story of Africville, the settlement for Nova Scotia slaves who built Halifax in 1749, and which became a close-knit and prosperous community until Halifax demolished it in 1960s in what many felt was an act of racism.

Poetry

Celebrating Black Canadian Poets by 49th shelf (Canada)

A handful of collections by Black Canadian poets writing in English curated by Kerry Clare for 49th Shelf.

Celebrating Black History Month

Poems, articles, and podcasts that explore African American history and culture.

News

NPR ‘Fresh Air’ remembers Archbishop Desmond Tutu (2021, USA, about South Africa)

In tribute to Archbishop Desmond Tutu who passed away on December 26, 2021: Desmond Tutu was an indefatigable Anti-Apartheid activist and defender of peace and human rights worldwide. In this broadcast, NPR re-airs interviews with Tutu (from 1984 and 1999) about his work and philosophy that grounded his approach chairing the South African Truth and Reconciliation Committee.

Archbishop Desmond Tutu on Apartheid, War, Palestine, Guantánamo, Climate Crisis & More (2021, USA, about South Africa)

In tribute to Archbishop Desmond Tutu who passed away on December 26, 2021. Desmond Tutu was an indefatigable Anti-Apartheid activist and defender of peace and human rights worldwide. In this broadcast, Democracy Now! re-airs interviews and speeches throughout Tutu’s life and advocacy about a number of global and contentious issues, ranging from South African Apartheid to the present day.

Meeting with the Minister of Children and Family Development

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Minister Grace Lore and Alliance to End Homelessness Discuss Strategies for Preventing Homelessness

The Honourable Grace Lore, Minister of Children and Family Development engaged in a comprehensive discussion with Sylvia Ceacero, the Executive Director of the Alliance to End Homelessness in the Capital Region. The dialogue centered around vital strategies to prevent homelessness and enhance support systems for vulnerable families.

Key topics addressed during the meeting included prevention measures, housing initiatives, family support programs, and securing funding for essential resources like the Survival Guide. The Executive Director and Dr Michelle Vanchu-Orosco, Director of Research with the Alliance, elaborated on the Alliance’s Community Plan, highlighting its three primary areas of focus: prevention strategies, data-driven approaches, and housing solutions.

Of particular significance is the desired vision to align with federal and provincial strategies and focussing our efforts to achieve functional-zero homelessness by 2030, where experiences of homelessness are rare, brief and non-recurring which Minister Lore expressed her commitment to collaborating closely with the Alliance to implement effective measures and policies that address the root causes of homelessness while bolstering support networks for families at risk.

The meeting underscored the shared dedication of both the Ministry and the Alliance to tackle the complex issue of homelessness comprehensively. By synergizing our efforts and leveraging resources effectively, we aim to create a more inclusive and supportive community where every individual and family has a safe place, they can call home.

As discussions continue, the partnership between Minister Grace Lore and the Alliance to End Homelessness stands as a beacon of hope in the journey towards a more equitable and compassionate society.

We thank the Minister for her unwavering dedication to community-driven outcomes and her tireless efforts to ensure all families in our province are thriving.

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