We open doors for youth and prevent adult homelessness. We serve at-risk youth experiencing homelessness, aging out of care, or fleeing violence in the home. Young adults who need a place to call home and people who believe in them. We offer safe housing, community and support to help youth make healthy choices and shift toward a brighter future.

OUR VISION A community where all youth thrive.

OUR MISSION Threshold Housing Society works to prevent adult homelessness by providing safe housing, support services, and community to at-risk youth.

 

Our Housing

Supportive Recovery Program (SRP) House

In partnership with Island Health, Threshold Housing is offering youth a safe and supportive environment as they access a recovery-oriented and healing-focused program. As a second-stage recovery program, youth are typically entering the program from detox or treatment centres with a focus on the next stages of stabilizing and healing.


Threshold House

Threshold House is a gender-inclusive home where youth develop community and plan for their future with the support of Threshold staff. As with all THS homes, knowing that they can count on a roof over their heads and on a sense of caring community means that Threshold House youth can concentrate on recovering from the experiences that put them at risk of homelessness, and begin to imagine and build brighter futures.


Mitchell House

Currently undergoing updates.


Holly House

Currently undergoing updates.


Safe Housing for Youth (SHY)

Located throughout Greater Victoria, SHY apartments offer more independence for youth than our other homes while still offering the support of Threshold staff and programs. Apartments are secured mainly through valued community partners, and often offer stability of location when a youth is ready to graduate from THS.


Our Team

Colin Tessier

Executive Director

Colin has a deep-rooted drive for helping people on the margins of our society. Colin has spent his career in the non-profit sector, focusing primarily in the areas of housing, homelessness, and food security. For the past 12+ years Colin has held senior leadership roles in organizations in Calgary and Victoria, including as the Executive Director of the Mustard Seed here in Victoria. Enjoying the ability to add value to the mission of other non-profit organizations, Colin has also worked frequently as a consultant supporting executives and Boards of Directors on projects that include organizational restructuring, strategic planning, and capacity building. He will often share that his first love professionally is housing, as this is where he has seen the greatest ability to impact peoples lives toward brighter futures. For Colin, there are few things in life more inspiring than seeing someone find a safe home, where they can heal and grow after having come from experiences of trauma and homelessness. Colin is passionate about organizational leadership, creating healthy cultures, and highly effective teams. Following this passion led him to Royal Roads University where he graduated with a Master of Arts in Leadership.
In his spare time Colin loves exploring the city and Island with his wife and young daughters. The family loves hanging out at the beach, camping, or enjoying long walks surrounded by the beauty that is Vancouver Island. Colin can also be found golfing, reading, or relaxing at a coffee shop.


Angela McNulty-Buell

Director of Housing and Support Services

Angela has spent 30 years working within the non-profit social service sector, with a focus on housing, support programs, strategic growth and vulnerable leadership. She began her career working within the health care and family welfare system in Ontario supporting youth in care along with refugee families entering Canada. Since moving to Victoria in 1999, Angela has held various leadership roles within the youth and adult serving sectors, most recently as a private consultant working with non-profits in the shelter and housing sector. Before that, Angela was the Director of Support Services with Pacifica Housing Advisory Association.

Angela is a passionate advocate – with social justice as a primary focus in decision making. She believes in building strong teams and works diligently to foster an environment of taking care of those who take care of the people we support. In her spare time, she is the proud mom of 3 daughters and 3 fur babies. She and her partner also love sailing and spending as much time as possible on the water.


Tim Lamb

Director of Finance and Administration

Tim is a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA, CA) and brings with him over 20 years in a senior management role. Tim has extensive experience with accounting, corporate finance, forecasting/budgeting, internal controls, audit, and treasury. As an active member of management teams, Tim has been successful linking finance with operations to improve productivity, relationships and bottom line results.


Shannon Whissell

Director of Development

Shannon is passionate about people, communities, and connections. Shannon has an Interdisciplinary Master of Arts degree, but after a brief time teaching post-secondary writing and communications, she wanted to do more in her community. She has since spent more than a decade working in the non-profit sector, supporting mission-based projects and telling the stories of how lives are changed through her colleagues’ work. Shannon has lived in Victoria for 20 years and is still amazed at the cherry blossoms in spring, the ocean spray during a storm, and how much a Garry Oak acorn hurts when it bonks you on the head. Shannon delights in every minute she gets to spend with her grandson, especially being reminded how exciting and interesting the world is.


Jason Walsh

Housing Manager

Jason has 20 years’ experience working with youth, adults and families through non-profits in Canada. B.A. in Child and Youth Care, Diploma in Community Support Work. Specializing in Mental Health and disabilities. Jason has a passion working with youth who have no advocates, supporting them to find their own voice. Free time is spent with his wife and 6 year old daughter. Jason enjoys playing hockey and curling, and is rarely seen without a cup of coffee.


Kacie Stirrett

Manager of Supportive Recovery Program

Kacie has been working in supportive roles for the last 13 years. She has a wide range of experience, from youth corrections to child protection, with a lot in between. Kacie has held a few different roles within THS and is currently the Program Manager for Threshold’s Supportive Recovery Program. Kacie has gratefully resided on Coast Salish land for the last 7 years. When she’s not working, Kacie can be found rescuing animals and bringing them home with (or without her spouses approval) and reading books.


Lindsay Mitchell-Stirrett

Intake Coordinator

After seeking change from years in hospitality industry, Lindsay made the leap to transitional housing and youth care. As a intake coordinator, Lindsay strives to create a space where all youth that pass through our doors feel like they have a safe space where they are accepted and that they can call home.  When not working, Lindsay can be found singing songs, playing tiny guitars on tiny beaches, exploring new parts of the world and all the delicious sausage rolls that they have to offer.


Jesse Cornes

Residential Supervisor

Jesse graduated from CDI in 2016 with a Social Services Honours Diploma in Mental Health and Addictions. Jesse has previously worked as a Residential Support Worker, has experience working with individuals with Cognitive and Physical barriers and spent some time working in Hospital care facilities. Jesse is a strong advocate for Social Justice and Housing First. Jesse’s favorite things are spending time with his amazing wife and cats and riding fixed gear bikes!


Genevieve St. Pierre

Youth Engagement Liaison

Genevieve has a background in social work and social justice. She has been working and volunteering in the nonprofit sector in Calgary, Victoria, and Montreal for several years. Her favorite hobbies include hiking and backcountry camping, but she is happy doing anything that includes her two dogs! In the coming years, Genevieve would like to complete a combined Master’s and Juris Doctor degree at the University of Toronto.


Kelsea Bendall

Residential House Supervisor

Kelsea has been working with children and youth since she was one herself, in environments ranging from after school care and summer camps to ESL programs and boarding schools.  She’s excited to bring her experience to an organization that has such a valuable impact on our community and its youth.  Kelsea aims to create a caring, supportive environment for those she works with and is always willing to listen to peoples’ latest life updates.  Outside of work, Kelsea can be found taking bike rides, caring for her plants, or spending time on one of Victoria’s amazing beaches.


Shona Mockford

Resident Support Worker

Shona graduated from the University of Victoria in 2019 with a Bachelor of Social Work and a Criminal Justice Diploma from Camosun College. Shona is passionate about advocating for youth’s voices to be amplified. Shona is thrilled to be a part of the new Supportive Recovery Program where youth are “met where they are at” and given an opportunity to recover and heal at their own pace. When not at work, you can find Shona exploring the beautiful west coast, reading, or listening to a true crime podcast.


Maddie Bietz

Resident Support Worker

Originally from Calgary AB, Maddie moved to Victoria in 2017 to begin her Social Work degree at University of Victoria. After graduating in 2019, Maddie decided to make her permanent home in Victoria, and began supporting youth with substance use issues at another non profit. Maddie is consistently impressed by the hope and resiliency that the youth she works with present, and hopes to continue working in this field in the years to come.  Maddie takes a harm reduction approach to most things in life, and values open-mindedness, authenticity, and honesty.  In her free time, Maddie loves camping trips with her partner & friends, swimming in any body of water (weather permitting) and watching bad tv with her roommates beloved cat.


Macayla Yan

Clinical Counsellor

Macayla is a Cantonese settler born and raised on Lək̓ʷəŋən and W̱SÁNEĆ Territories, recently known as Victoria, BC. Macayla started at Threshold as a Youth Mentor over three years ago and is excited to now be the in-house counsellor! They believe it is an incredible honour to hold space for and witness someone and their story. Macayla holds a BA in Psychology and Indigenous Studies, Diploma in Intercultural Education, and MA in Counselling Psychology. In addition to being a counsellor, Macayla is also a textile artist, community organizer, advocate, and friend.


Jasmine Campbell

Director of Development (on leave)

Jasmine was born and raised in Victoria, BC. She graduated from the University of Victoria with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and a minor in Social Justice. Jasmine is passionate about advocating for social justice issues and for vulnerable youth! You can find Jasmine drinking coffee, trying a new recipe, or catching some sun.


Our Board

Alan Andrew

Chair

Dr. Alan Andrew is a Radiologist and Nuclear Medicine physician who lives and works in Victoria. He is also a clinical instructor at the UBC Faculty of Medicine and an examiner with the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada. On a professional level, Alan understands the direct link between stable youth housing and positive long term health outcomes. On a personal level, Alan and his wife Stephanie work to grow Victoria into a city which thrives economically and socially so that one day their two children chose to remain here to live and work themselves.

Sheila Beauchemin

Treasurer

Sheila Beauchemin is a management professional with over 30 years’ experience in the provincial public service and as an independent consultant. She has held positions with the Ministry of Finance, worked as a provincial treaty negotiator and facilitated meetings that achieve tangible, actionable results. Sheila holds degrees in economics and public administration. She believes that all youth should have a safe place to live and a community of people to guide them on their path to adulthood. Sheila lives in West Saanich, with her husband Chris, two adult daughters who come and go, and an assortment of animals both large and small.

Clayton Savage

Secretary

Clayton was an officer in the Royal Canadian Navy for 20 years, serving in a wide variety of roles in ships, as an instructor to junior officers, and with a scientific organization. This was followed by a second career as a business and technology consultant, specializing in data analytics. He has an MSc in management sciences. Clayton's focus on the board is to help THS achieve certification of internationally recognized standards that demonstrate the quality of services our society provides to youth. Clayton grew up in Winnipeg. He and his wife Evelyn have lived in Victoria since the mid-1990's, and they have three adult children. Clayton enjoys sailing, and learning to play piano.

Ruth Macintosh

Past-chair

Ruth MacIntosh has a certificate in the Community Support and Education Assistant program at Camosun College. Ruth has 30+ years of experience developing and implementing programs to meet the needs of individuals and groups through a trauma informed lens. Ruth has served on the epilepsy advisory committee at the Epilepsy and Parkinson’s Centre (now called Headway) and has been a board member of the James Bay Community Project and the Casa Maria Emergency Housing Society. Ruth comes to Threshold as the Chair of the board with extensive knowledge of the needs of at-risk youth in Greater Victoria.

Alison Campbell

Alison Campbell was born and raised in Vancouver, BC. She left to travel before she finished University. Alison spent over 6 years in England, after marrying there. When Alison returned to BC with her husband and daughter, they lived in the Fraser Valley, Terrace and Vanderhoof. While in the Valley, Alison had a son. Alison moved to Victoria in 1982 to attend the University of Victoria's Law School. Although she had no intention to remain on Vancouver Island, she fell in love with Victoria and chose to open a law practice here. Alison retired from that practice over 7 years ago. During her years in Victoria, she served on several boards, the last of which was Pacific Centre Family Services Association. Since retirement Alison has joined the Goward House Singers, a group that entertains seniors in assisted living and extended care facilities.

Noraye Fjeldstad

Noraye Fjeldstad is an executive administrative professional with over 16 years of experience in her field. Noraye’s career path has provided a variety of environments including crown corporations, provincial government, municipal government, and currently a pension fund manager for British Columbia’s public sector employees. Outside of work, Noraye enjoys exploring the lesser-known areas of Greater Victoria on her road-bike, challenging herself at the gym or on many of the surrounding hiking trails, and photographing the landscapes and scenery of the island. Noraye was born and raised in Victoria, BC and takes pride in giving back to her community, both through her career and personal pursuits.

Salma Ihsan

Salma Ihsan is of Mexican and Pakistani descent and immigrated to Canada with her family when she was a child. She grew up on the lower mainland of B.C. and moved to Victoria to attend university. Salma graduated from the University of Victoria with a B.A. in Applied Linguistics. While studying, Salma volunteered, worked, and completed her teaching practicum at the Inter-Cultural Association of Victoria and became passionate about providing support to immigrant and refugee populations. Currently, Salma has shifted her focus and found passion in the field of Indigenous language revitalization. Salma’s involvement in the community led her to Threshold Housing and as a queer immigrant and woman of colour she hopes to advocate for those most marginalized and often looked over.

Jennifer Campbell

Jennifer Campbell is the proud founder and CEO of Two Worlds Consulting (TWC). She is known as a strategic thinker who gets things done. TWC evolved from Jennifer’s concept to build a business around the core values of respect, integrity, trust, and reciprocity, and has grown to serving clients across Canada. She is an industry leader in human environment projects with extensive impact assessment experience. Jennifer also applies her skills volunteering in the housing sector. Jennifer is a Citizen of the Métis Nation, aunty, and mother to two young men. Her intrinsic motivation is to do work in a good way.

Logan McMenamie

Jennifer Steele

Jennifer Steele has been a Registered Nurse (BScN) for  over 12 years, specializing in mental health, primarily with children & youth. She has worked in leadership positions, and has experience in program development, project management and human resources. Jennifer grew up on Salt Spring Island, which has led to her love of family, friends and the sea (and farm stands). Jennifer is grateful to be a part of Threshold, as she knows how important it is for everyone to have a safe & supportive place to go.

Helene Walker

Helene Walker is a retired civil engineer whose career began working on some of the biggest projects in the northern Alberta oil sands, at a time when there were few women in an engineering role. After she relocated to Victoria, she worked at UVic during seismic upgrades and then worked in project management at the Esquimalt Dockyards for a federal crown corporation. Wife to Barry and Mom to two adopted young adults - one from Eastern Europe, and the other a member of the 2SLGBTQ+ community - Helene has strong empathy for youth and the challenges they face in society.

Lynne Tang

Lynne has lived in Victoria on and off for more than 23 years, having come to Vancouver Island to attend Law School at the University of Victoria after obtaining a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Alberta. She has almost 20 years of experience working in the public sector, both provincially (Alberta and BC) and federally, in policy areas such as tax, policing, small business, local government and housing. As a mother to two boys, she understands that a stable supportive home is essential to their emotional and physical well being. She is humbled and excited by the opportunity to serve on the Board of Threshold Housing Society because of its commitment to helping youth thrive and make healthy choices through stable and safe housing and community support. Outside of work, she enjoys yoga, taking art classes, hiking and spending time with her three cats, two boys and one dog.

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