On October 8, Carole James, MLA for Victoria-Beacon Hill, introduced the staff of both HeroWork and Threshold to the Legislative Assembly. She went on to mention the importance of the work done by both agencies, especially the community effort of HeroWork to achieve such a complicated goal as the renovation of Forrest House in such a short time. Her comments are below:
DEBATES OF THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY
(HANSARD)
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2014 (Afternoon Sitting) (Draft Transcript Only)
C. James: I have two groups visiting us today in the gallery, and I’ll have a little more to say about that later.
First is a group of people from the HeroWork group: Paul Latour, Kent McFadyen, Audrey Mairi, Dave Meade and John Demadeiros. From the Threshold Housing Society group, we have Mark Muldoon, Graham Kelly, Peggy English, Rebecca Humphrey, Shannon Wilcox, and Lou Handbruce. Would the House please make them very welcome.
THRESHOLD HOUSING SOCIETY
YOUTH HOUSING PROJECT IN VICTORIA
C. James: When an anonymous donor gifted a fourplex to the Threshold Housing Society this summer, it opened a door to help young people at risk of being homeless. The property will be used to increase units in the society’s safe housing for youth program. The building is located in the South Jubilee area of my constituency, and the project was endorsed and supported by the South Jubilee Neighbourhood Association.
Work renovating the property was completed over the last three weekends by HeroWork, a volunteer program that organizes a modern-day version of old-fashioned barn raisings. They’ve done everything from a backyard garden makeover for a community member with MS to the recent Mustard Seed renovation.
They called this project a HeroWork radical reno, and it’s quite the makeover. Hundreds of people pitched in, donating dollars, contracting services, helping hammer and clean and haul and providing supplies like flooring and plywood and concrete. Each apartment space in the building was decorated and furnished by a different local designer, creating an inviting home and environment for youth.
This project is critical to our community. Because of a shortage of housing, the Threshold Society turns down three out of four youth who need a place to stay. They have a current referral list of 147 youth in need. This building, with its great proximity to transit, will provide transitional housing for up to eight vulnerable youth at a time.
Thank you to the anonymous donor who so generously stepped up to make a difference and to start something extraordinary. Congratulations and a huge thank you to the incredible team of professionals and volunteers who made this happen. This project shows what a difference dedicated individuals and organizations can make, and I’m sure it’s going to inspire others to step up and impact positive change as well.
To view the full draft transcript on the debate of the Legislative Assembly on Wednesday, October 8th, 2004, go to —
http://www.leg.bc.ca/hansard/40th3rd/20141008pm-House-Blues.htm
Threshold staff outside of the BC Legislature: Mark Muldoon (top right), Peggy English (bottom centre), Graham Kelly (bottom right), Rebekah Humphrey (top centre), Shannon Wilcox (bottom left), Lu Han Bruce (top left)