See what April’s Vital People are doing across Greater Victoria
See stories below highlighting April’s Vital People who are working to make Victoria a vibrant, caring community for all. The 2023 Vital Signs Survey is out now! This month, we can look around our community and ask, “what can we do, together?”
Sandra Richardson: Bringing our voices forward, together
“There are many issues across our community, from the costs of housing and food to staffing shortages, and more. While these issues put a strain on many families and individuals, it’s also important to remind ourselves that charitable organizations at the core of our community are not immune to these challenges either.” Read Sandra’s full column
Together Against Poverty Society helps seniors facing renoviction
Protecting seniors — many of them disabled — who are at risk of losing their homes due to renovictions has become a pressing issue for the Together Against Poverty Society’s Tenant Legal Advocacy Project. Read the full story.
Douglas King, executive director of TAPS Society, at his office on View Street. ADRIAN LAM, TIMES COLONIST
A new name but the same mission: ending homelessness
The Greater Victoria Coalition to End Homelessness may have a new name — Alliance to End Homelessness in the Capital Region — but its commitment to advocating for the unhoused remains the same. Read the full story.
Executive director Sylvia Ceacero at the Alliance to End Homelessness offices. DARREN STONE, TIMES COLONIST
April Vital People Videos
Victoria Canoe and Kayak Club: Dozens of paddlers from the Victoria Canoe and Kayak Club recently hit the water for an all-day 80 km paddle relay. This annual fundraiser helps kids with physical and cognitive disabilities attend Easter Seals Camp Shawnigan each summer. Watch video
Wear 2 Start Society: For more than two decades, the Wear 2 Start Society has been helping women put their best foot forward. The non-profit has helped thousands of women, changing lives, one wardrobe transformation at a time. Watch video
Victoria Therapeutic Riding Association: For more than four decades, the Victoria Therapeutic Riding Association has been giving children and adults with diverse abilities the chance to ride horses. The connection the riders make with the horses and volunteers who make it possible is life-changing. Watch video
Kiwanis Emergency Youth Shelter: Between Victoria and Nanaimo, there’s only one youth shelter. And with the opioid crisis, skyrocketing mental health issues and a serious housing shortage, demand is higher than ever for the Kiwanis Emergency Youth Shelter. Watch video
John Hillman’s Save the Children Fundraiser: One in six children in the world live in a conflict zone and almost 200 million children live in the world’s most lethal war zones. That’s why Second World War veteran John Hillman of Oak Bay is walking 104 laps around the Carlton House courtyard to raise funds for Save the Children. Watch video