News

Today for #GivingTuesday we are asking for our community’s support in helping us respond to the challenges brought on by COVID-19 to help us continue to provide safe housing and brighter futures to the at-risk youth in our community.

The unprecedented times we are facing have brought about significant challenges for the youth that we support at Threshold. There has been a significant reduction to the supports available to at-risk youth within the wider system through the cancellation and/or reduced capacity of programs and services. We have seen a significant jump in mental health related challenges due to isolation and the uncertainty of our current reality. In addition to their regular roles, our frontline staff are now carrying the burden of filling those gaps including counselling, access to resources, and health support. Covid-19 has also resulted in increased costs related to staffing, supplies such as PPE, food, and financial support for youth. The work we do at Threshold is an essential service, and our frontline staff team represent a lifeline to at-risk youth who are struggling in our community. Demands on staff are significant and we are only beginning to see the impact this will have on the youth we support.

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Happy #MeetTheTeamMonday! This week you can get to know our Development Coordinator Jasmine.

⭐️Do you lean more towards being an introvert or an extrovert? I am definitely in between but lean more towards being an extrovert!

⭐️If you were a crayon, what colour would you be? I would be lilac since it’s my favourite colour.

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It’s #MeetTheTeamMonday! We asked Emily some fun questions to get to know her.

⭐️Do you lean more towards being an introvert or an extrovert? I am definitely an introvert-people are often surprised to hear this, but I am pretty much always in need of some alone time (with a book, movie or my cats)

⭐️If you were a crayon, what colour would you be? I think I would be a really awesome blue…like a turquoise or a teal just because I think those are the most amazing colors and when you see them in nature they always catch you off guard because they’re almost too vibrant to be real! Read more…

It’s #MeetTheTeamMonday! We asked Hollis some fun questions to get to know her.

⭐️Do you lean more towards being an introvert or an extrovert? Introvert

⭐️If you were a crayon, what colour would you be? Grey or Rose Gold
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In British Columbia, when a youth in government care turns 19 years old they often lose access to essential support services, such as their housing, social worker, mental health services, and financial support. Youth age out of care, whether they are ready or not – at an age that is often already challenging and stressful. Due to the unprecedented times we are living in, youth in BC have just been granted a reprieve from aging out of care. This is an encouraging step in the right direction, although at this time it is a temporary shift. We must continue to highlight the various challenges, barriers, and trauma youth aging out often face. Why? Aging out of care without appropriate supports in place is often cited as a risk factor that leads to experiences of youth homelessness. We especially know this through the youth we serve. It is also often stated that only 28% of people know that youth age out of government care after their 19th birthday. So, now until June 31st, we will be bringing awareness to the challenges youth in care are exposed to when aging out. We look forward to highlighting stories of lived experience, articles, research, and stats on our social media pages and this blog. Join us and help us spread the word by sharing our posts! #ReadyOrNotAgingOutOfCare. Find us on Facebook, Twitter & Instagram @ThsVic. 

Happy Monday! For this week’s #MeetTheTeamMonday we are introducing you to the newest member of our team – Yasmine!

⭐️Do you lean more towards being an introvert or an extrovert? Extroverted introvert? haha

⭐️If you were a crayon, what colour would you be? Yellow! Read more…

30 years ago, on March 28th, Threshold Housing Society was created in response to the large number of youth experiencing homelessness in the 90’s. Today, Threshold Housing exists to serve the same purpose. We provide safe housing, support services, and community to at-risk youth. Our stakeholders have helped hundreds of at-risk youth find safe homes from which 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. Today, we want to celebrate this incredible legacy that so many people have contributed to over the years.

You might be feeling overwhelmed right now with all the information surrounding COVID-19. It is important that we remember to prioritize our mental health during this time as we are our physical health. Here are some ways to help you manage:
🌸Self care. Self care does not mean me first. It means me, too. Self-care is any activity that we plan to do in order to take care of our mental, emotional, and physical health. Self care can look different for everyone. It may look like picking up a new book, taking a bath, going for a walk/bike ride, or picking up a colouring book! – Self care is a simple but often overlooked concept. Click this link to learn more about self care: https://psychcentral.com/…/what-self-care-is-and-what-it-i…/
🌸Focus on things that bring you joy – try a new recipe or start a new TV show.
🌸Avoid excessive media coverage. If you have a non-medical COVID-19 related question call/text 1-888-COVID19.
🌸If you are self-isolating do not feel guilty about using this time for a break. Watch Netflix, face-time your friends, or play a video game!
🌸 Don’t cancel your scheduled counselling session – ask if skype/facetime are available options.
🌸 Foundry Victoria remains open for youth ages 12-24. Please visit their Facebook page for updates. If you need access for physicians, nursing, counseling / outreach and peer support, call their main number at 250-383-3552. They have counsellors available over phone/text.
🌸If you are feeling overwhelmed, know that you are not alone in this. Text HOME to 686868 to text with a trained Crisis Responder.