News

On March 15^th, 2011, The Belfry Theatre sponsored the staging of “The Middle Place,” a play that aptly depicts the life of youths staying in a youth shelter. Using a process called “verbatim theatre,” the play used the voices of real youths staying in a youth shelter to express the pain and trauma of such a situation on their lives. The play was an initiative of Project Humanity and has toured in Toronto, Ottawa, Victoria and Calgary. The play’s major purpose was to bring to light the blight of over 65,000 homeless Canadian youth. The proceeds of the March 15^th evening were donated to the Threshold Housing Society. The Society expresses its gratitude to the Belfry Theatre, Project Humanity and the wonderful cast of actors who performed this important play.

The Threshold Housing Society held a fundraising event in conjunction with Langham Court Theatre on March 3, 2011. A reception with a silent auction was held prior to the opening night of a play entitled “The Lady in the Van,” by Allen Bennett. The play is centered on the true story of the relationship between the author and a homeless woman who camped in the author’s garden for fifteen years.  The performance was superb with a wonderful cast that captured with heart the author’s complex message about homelessness and our response as a society to this difficult problem.  Special thanks to the Theatre Manager, Denise Brown, whose professional and courteous assistance made this an enjoyable evening for everyone.

February 22, 2011 marks the first year anniversary of Mitchell House’s new location in the Oak Bay vicinity. The new location and house is fabulous. The floor plan is spacious and the kitchen area central. The House Mentor, Graham Kelly, celebrated the anniversary with a house meeting and a big cake. The anniversary coincides with the arrival of two new residents. Rick Sandberg is the Weekend Mentor at Mitchell House and also our Webmaster. Congratulations Graham and Rick.

Many thanks to the volunteers from London Drugs who donated their time and muscle to dig up the sod and stake out a garden at Holly House.  The vision is to have a sustaining vegetable garden in the sunny backyard of the house supplying the residents with fresh greens.  On hand to help from Threshold were Roger Plant (left) and Rebekah Humphrey (second from left). Many thanks to Lilaine Galway, Community Impact Associate for the United Way who organized and assisted in having the awesome volunteers from London Drug pitch in and assist at-risk youth.

On February 12, The Threshold Housing Society was invited to participate in the annual Volunteer Fair sponsored by Hillside Mall. Mr. Bob Porter, Treasurer, and Mrs. Kyra Henry, the Administrative Assistant, were on hand to inform and educate shoppers and the public about the work of the society in the community.

The Society is currently enlisting volunteers for its Mardi Gras event to be held in 2012. If you are interested in volunteering for either the planning committee or working committee, please contact info@thresholdhousing.ca

Valentine's cupcakes were part of graduation celebration. (Photo by Peggy English)

Valentine’s Day (actually February 10, 2011) was the perfect occasion to have a party and to say good-bye to one of our residents who has been residing in Mitchell House for just under a year.  Having worked hard to complete his school diploma, our resident found a good job and felt ready to live independently.  Congratulations and best wishes!

Flanked by Rebekah Humphrey, House Mentor for Holly House, and Graham Kelly, House Mentor for Mitchell House, our resident holds a quilt that each resident receives upon leaving. Each quilt is a work of beauty, hand stitched with love, and a reminder that care and compassion comes from many directions to help each of us along the away. The quilt is also a symbol of sanctuary, that we each need a warm house, apartment, room, or cosy corner to call our own, where we can feel safe, regenerate our energies and dream our dreams for the future. Read more…

Valentine's cupcakes were part of graduation celebration. (Photo by Peggy English)

Valentine’s Day (actually February 10, 2011) was the perfect occasion to have a party and to say good-bye to one of our residents who has been residing in Mitchell House for just under a year.  Having worked hard to complete his school diploma, our resident found a good job and felt ready to live independently.  Congratulations and best wishes!

Flanked by Rebekah Humphrey, House Mentor for Holly House, and Graham Kelly, House Mentor for Mitchell House, our resident holds a quilt that each resident receives upon leaving. Each quilt is a work of beauty, hand stitched with love, and a reminder that care and compassion comes from many directions to help each of us along the away. The quilt is also a symbol of sanctuary, that we each need a warm house, apartment, room, or cosy corner to call our own, where we can feel safe, regenerate our energies and dream our dreams for the future. Read more…

Maria Lyons of 10,000 Villages presented House Mentor, Graham Kelly, with food and a cash donation after reading an article he wrote for the local neighbourhood newsletter. On her own initiative, Maria sponsored a food drive in her store and offered a portion of her sales to help struggling youth at Mitchell House. Please see our current newsletter (winter 2011) for more information.