Maureen Hobbs is excited about the possibilities.
The Colwood Rotary Club president is in the throes of rallying the troops, so to speak, in advance of a Sept. 28 forum addressing the need for stable, safe housing for youth at risk in the West Shore community.
Hobbs says estimates are as high as 20 to 30 the number of youth whose families or primary home is on the West Shore, but sleep outdoors or B次元官网网址渃ouch surfB次元官网网址� on any given night.
B次元官网网址淲e decided we need to do something; letB次元官网网址檚 not wait,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e hoping to get stakeholders in one room over a coffee or a glass of wine and talk about the options.B次元官网网址�
Key to the discussion, she says, is the involvement of the Threshold Housing Society, which specifically provides transitional housing for youth in the region.
The society, which has its annual general meeting coming up Oct. 3, operates two group homes in the Victoria area, one each for women and men aged 16 to 21.
Hobbs says with the growing population on the West Shore and its incumbent challenges, the need to start talking about creating a facility out here, or at the very least spreading the word about available family resources, is growing.
Vulnerable youth for whom going home isnB次元官网网址檛 an option can gain a level of stability in their lives, she says, B次元官网网址渋f you have a secure home with a resident caregiver, close to resources.B次元官网网址�
Next MondayB次元官网网址檚 meeting will feature a panel of speakers, including housing advocate Bill McElroy, Threshold Housing Society director Mark Muldoon and Mitzi Dean, executive director for Pacific Centre Family Services Association.
Hobbs says the goal is to reach out to area schools, health-care providers, businesses, churches, politicians and especially young adults to B次元官网网址渂egin the process of framing the issue on housingB次元官网网址� and work to prevent homelessness on the West Shore.
Anyone is welcome to attend the gathering, which runs from 5 to 6:30 p.m. at the Royal Colwood Golf Club, 629 Goldstream Ave. Registration is requested; interested parties are asked to email Brian Davison at maureen.brian@shaw.ca or call 250-474-1665.
editor@goldstreamgazette.com
