Learn about Threshold
For more than 30 years, we’ve helped young people in our community build the skills, confidence, and stability they need to move toward independent living.
Vision:
A community where all youth thrive.
Mission:
Prevent adult homelessness by providing safe housing, support services, and community to at-risk youth.
Centering Youth, Even When it’s Tough
At the heart of Threshold’s work is a simple, radical belief:
Unconditional Positive Regard and Relentless Engagement is the most effective approach to truly end the cycle of homelessness for the most vulnerable youth in our community. We know this because we see it working, every day.
Our trauma-informed, harm-reduction approach, offers:
Semi-Independent Housing
Wraparound Support
System Navigation
Substance Use Recovery Services
Indigenous Wellness Programming
Learning Life Skills
Opportunities for Creativity, Recreation, and Connection
No matter what a young person is facing - substance use, grief, fear, disconnection - we don’t give up on them.
Our Team
Executive director
Director of housing & support SERVICES
Manager of Support Services
Manager of Supportive Recovery
Manager of Youth Supportive Housing - PKOLS Lelum
Manager of Youth supportive housing - mitchell house
Manager of scheduling & Casual staff
Manager of communications
Manager of impact & evaluation
Manager of operations
Director of Finance & Administration
Administrative Coordinator
Director of Development
director of development(on leave)Our Board
Threshold Housing Society is honoured to have a group of compassionate and committed board members who ensure Threshold is true to its mission, vision, and values.
treasurer
secretary
Director
Chair
Chair-Elect
director
director
Director
Director
Director
directorValues
Threshold is rooted in the following set of functional/frictional values. The first word in the pairs below is the value we aspire to, as explained in the description. The paired word is the commonplace counterpoint, a status quo that doesn’t support the outcomes to which Threshold is committed.
Courage/Relaxation
Motivated by the knowledge that youth in our community are regularly exposed to harm through experiences of homelessness and trauma, we will act boldly and with urgency toward creating a reality where every youth has access to safe housing and appropriate support. We will not become complacent or satisfied with success. We will stand firm in our efforts to see real change to the systems that are not adequately supporting youth toward thriving futures. When necessary, we will speak truth to power and challenge circumstances that are unjust, inequitable, or harmful. We will not shrink when the moment requires our action or voice.
Competence/Perfection
Motivated by the knowledge that our work impacts young lives, we acknowledge the obligation to ensure a high standard is set across all areas of our organization. We put a priority on good stewardship of our resources and relationships, while ensuring integrity in our actions. We conduct ourselves with an orientation toward action and avoid the pursuit of perfection, which can impede our progress. We value evidence- based decision-making and are committed to continual learning and improvement.
Empathy/Popularity
We acknowledge the inter-connectedness between all people, and the complex histories that exist within relationships and life experiences. We acknowledge the realities and impacts of the intergenerational trauma that surrounds us, particularly for our Indigenous siblings and relations who continue to bear a heavy weight. In all our interactions we endeavor to act with compassion, patience, and love. We value listening and storytelling as ways to understand one another. We stand firmly beside youth in our community even when that stance comes with risk or is against the tide of public opinion. We believe that every youth, regardless of their histories or hardships, has the ability to thrive.
Adaptability/Control
Motivated by the knowledge that we operate in a complex environment in constant change, we prioritize the need to be flexible, creative, and innovative. We hold true to our vision while understanding there are many paths that can be taken. We understand that trying to exercise too much control can stifle creativity, make us less effective, and harm our ability to respond quickly to opportunities.
Our History
On March 28th 1990, out of concern from community members and supported by Anglican Street Chaplain Rick Sandberg, Threshold Housing Society was created in response to the number of people experiencing homelessness in the capital region.
Today, Threshold exists to serve the same purpose - to provide safe housing, support services, and community to at-risk youth. Since its inception, hundreds of youth have found safe homes to heal and grow, many of whom were fleeing violence or abuse in their home, had aged out of government care without support, or were experiencing homelessness and living on the streets.
The outcome of these efforts is a generation of youth who have transitioned sustainably into adulthood rather than into homelessness, living full and vibrant lives in community rather than simply surviving on the margins. They have completed education and training courses, found meaningful careers, started families, and are involved in their communities.
1990
Anglican parishioners form a non-profit society to serve the growing population of homeless people in Greater Victoria
1992
Recognizing the dire need for youth housing, Threshold opens Mitchell House v. 1 – on Trutch Street – for young men at risk of homelessness
1997
Holly House opens to house young women at risk of homelessness
Threshold receives charitable status with the Canada Revenue Agency
2012
Threshold launches Scattered Housing for Youth (SHY), supported, independent living throughout Greater Victoria
The Foundations Program is developed to offer a full slate of wrap-around supports to youth
2013
The generous bequest of Westall House begins Threshold’s opportunities in property ownership. Not a fit for programming, it is soon sold
2014
Another generous bequest, Forrest House is Threshold’s first owned property to house youth
2016
Partnering with Oak Bay United Church, Threshold opens Threshold House, a flagship home welcoming youth of all gender identities
2021
Threshold purchases property in James Bay to house its innovative Supportive Recovery Program, a harm-reduction program for youth ready to reduce their reliance on substances.
The SHY Program expands to 20 units.
New partnership with NIȽ TU, O brings the start of the Indigenous Wellness Program.
2022
A transformative $3.1 million gift from Carole and Clint Forster allows financial stability and continued growth to meet the challenge of youth homelessness
Threshold hires an in-house counsellor to provide youth with quick, free access to professional counselling in an environment they trust
2023
Holly House and Mitchell House are transformed into resources for the Ministry of Children and Family Development, creating the new Youth Supportive Housing program (YSH)
SHY program expands to 26 units
2024
Thanks to the support from NIȽ TU, O as well as the generosity and kindness of the Kirzinger Family, PKOLS Lelum is purchased and opens in Saanich, expanding the YSH program
2025
Threshold House in Oak Bay is purchased, thanks to the continued generosity of the Forster Family
Annual Reports
Threshold Housing Society’s Annual Reports share highlights from the past year, including program impact, financial information, and stories of the young people we support. They reflect our commitment to transparency, accountability, and the community that makes our work possible.
2026
Donate
Your donation helps create safe housing, meaningful support, and brighter futures for young people in our community. With your support, Threshold Housing Society can continue providing the stability, guidance, and opportunities youth need to move toward confident, independent lives.
