News

On July 25, about 100 neighbours, supporters, and youth workers from various agencies came out to celebrate Threshold’s 20 anniversary of service to the community. Acting Mayor, Ms. Shellie Gudgeon, acknowledged the work of the Society and wished us well as we turn our vision toward the future. The festivities were enlivened with the music of The Rooftop Runners as well as draws and food. The food was provided by the Lions Club of Victoria (thanks Gord!) with gift prizes being donated by IMAX Victoria, Cherries Breakfast Bistro  and a quilt stitched by Threshold’s quilters (Fran McArthur). The tent was provided by Remax of Victoria. Many thanks to Kyra, Dan, Graham and Rebekah for all their organizational help, as well as Tony Wick and Ron Hall of St. Peter’s Lakehill and St. David’s by the Sea.  Special thanks to Peggy English of the Life-Skills program and all the residents who worked hard to adorn the house with fantastic art work (the art tree, pictures, posters, cards – you guys are awesome!).  Many thanks as well to the South Jubilee Neighbourhood Association for being such good sports and allowing us to make noise, block the street and have fun.

On July 25, about 100 neighbours, supporters, and youth workers from various agencies came out to celebrate Threshold’s 20 anniversary of service to the community. Acting Mayor, Ms. Shellie Gudgeon, acknowledged the work of the Society and wished us well as we turn our vision toward the future. The festivities were enlivened with the music of The Rooftop Runners as well as draws and food. The food was provided by the Lions Club of Victoria (thanks Gord!) with gift prizes being donated by IMAX Victoria, Cherries Breakfast Bistro  and a quilt stitched by Threshold’s quilters (Fran McArthur). The tent was provided by Remax of Victoria. Many thanks to Kyra, Dan, Graham and Rebekah for all their organizational help, as well as Tony Wick and Ron Hall of St. Peter’s Lakehill and St. David’s by the Sea.  Special thanks to Peggy English of the Life-Skills program and all the residents who worked hard to adorn the house with fantastic art work (the art tree, pictures, posters, cards – you guys are awesome!).  Many thanks as well to the South Jubilee Neighbourhood Association for being such good sports and allowing us to make noise, block the street and have fun.

The Threshold Housing Society held its Annual General Meeting on June 27^th.  With about forty people present, it was a wonderful night embracing the energy of the Staff who work with youth daily and the Board Members who support them.  The meeting begun with short but exuberant talks by Rebekah Humphrey, House Supervisor of Holly House, Tara Skobel, SHY Program Coordinator, and Peggy English, Life-Skills Coordinator. The stories, the program descriptions, and the explanations of what happens on a daily basis gave members and visitors a wonderful insight into the trials and triumphs of youth care.

Richard Couch, Rebekah Humphrey, Peggy English, Sabrina Kunz (Director), Tara Skobel, Mark Muldoon (Executive Director), and Dan Fraikin (Board DIrector) in the forefront.

The second half of the meeting was moderated by Mr. Richard Couch, Chair, and Dave Lefsrud, Board Member. In the course of the meeting, six new Board Members were nominated and farewells given to Richard Couch as the outgoing chair and Bob Porter, the outgoing Treasurer.  Both Richard and Bob gave selflessly over the number of years they served on the Board of Directors and each was acknowledged for their contribution to the continued success of the Society. For more on Bob’s work with the Society, go to the latest edition of the Spring 2012 Newsletter (In Limine). New Board members and their bios will soon appear, so stay tuned.

It is that wonderful time of the year for the Threshold Housing Society to host its Annual General Meeting (AGM).  This year our meeting will be held on Wednesday, June 27, 2012, at 7:00 pm in the Lower Lounge of St. John the Divine Rectory, 1611 Quadra St. There is parking at the rear off of Mason Street.

Membership renewal ($20) is due at the AGM. Members receive our newsletter and eligible to vote at the AGM. As well, members will receive bountiful feelings of satisfaction for helping a youth receive the benefit of a safe sanctuary so he or she can begin building their life.  Financial contributions are an important support for our work housing at-risk youth.

Donations may be posted to: Threshold Housing Society, c/o 900 Vancouver Street, Victoria, BC V8V 3V7. Please make cheques payable to Threshold Housing Society.  Threshold is a registered Canadian charity and charitable tax receipts will be issued.  Please R.S.V.P to Kyra at  info@thresholdhousing.ca   or call 250-383-8830

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On May 3^rd, Threshold received a donation of $625 from Victoria High School students under the auspices of the Victoria Foundation’s Vital Youth program. The Vital Youth program provides students with hands-on experience in philanthropy and community development. Formally launched in three schools in November 2003, the program—previously named Youth in Philanthropy—has grown to include seven high schools in three school districts. For more information on this program see Vital Youth.

The event was held at the Canadian College of Performing Arts in Oak Bay. Students from the college performed a wonderful piece from their new stage production of “Footloose.” This was a marvelous performance and reflected so precisely the energy and vitality of young people channelled toward making the community a better place for each of us to live.

From left to right: Mark Muldoon (Threshold), Abi Hodson (Youth Advisory Council), Mohammed Rasheed, Kamille Tobin-Shields, Brianna Sheppard-Murphy, and Maggie Wright.

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On April 5^th, Threshold was the happy recipient of a donation that can be traced back to Christmas. During the Christmas season, Black Press sponsored a donation drive called “Pennies for Presents.”  It involved collecting loose change from Christmas shoppers that would eventually be distributed to help the needy through five different charities in the area.   The different agencies involved in this year’s drive included the Mary Manning Centre, Threshold Housing Society, Victoria READ Society, the Young Parents Support Network and NEED2.

From Left to Right: Danielle Pope (of Monday Magazine), Tara Skobel, Mark Muldoon, Rebekah Humphrey, Graham Kelly (of Threshold)

The initiative collected more than $12,000 in Greater Victoria last year and more than $600,000 since its inception.  Thanks to everyone who chipped in and helped. It is a great sign of encouragement and community support for the great work done by non-profits in our community. Special thanks to Black Press for reaching out and being such great supporters of this wild, wonderful experiment called “human kindness.” Read more…

What is it like to be a youth and homeless in Victoria?  To find out, read the current edition of Focus magazine (April, 2012).  In “A Crisis of Youthful Poverty,” Simon Nattrass talks with several current residents of Threshold’s Holly House and Mitchell House. The article gives poignant voices to voiceless youth who all too often fall through the cracks.

Youth Homelessness is real

As the article summarizes: “Homeless kids don’t want to be on the street, but they do want freedom and independence. Theirs is not a crisis of direction or maturity or lack of discipline, but rather a crisis of maturing under an unsupportive, inflexible and impersonal system. They need the resources to feed, clothe and shelter themselves while establishing their independence. While the broader homeless community suffers with chronic drug abuse and mental illness, the coherent, responsible, intelligent youth who call the streets home see these problems as merely the natural result of being denied a chance at a normal life.”

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