Street Hope staff and volunteers prepare to distribute Christmas gifts on Pandora Ave.

Since its start in 1986, SHV has worked to forge caring connections with unsheltered people living their lives on the street in the downtown core. Currently, one night a week the Outreach Director and a team of SHV volunteers serve homemade soup, sandwiches, drinks, and cookies and provide warm clothing, kindness, a listening ear, and prayer when requested, to those on the 900-block of Pandora Avenue. But we want to go further.

Experts in the field assert that addiction is a response to pain, and that the opposite of addiction isn’t sobriety per se: it’s connection — deep and healthy connection. When we have meaningful, authentic relationships with others, we develop a sense of belonging, a place in the cosmos. To know that we are acknowledged, valued, and affirmed can help to rehumanize us, which is of infinite value to people who are routinely dehumanized, and/or who may be dehumanizing themselves. Esteem, care, and engagement approximate and reflect the infinite value and love with which each one of us is regarded by the Creator. To that end, our goal this year is to develop small groups for those longing for deep connection, healing, growth, and faith. Through presence and authentic engagement, we aim to sow the seeds of love, dignity, and Christ-like community in the downtown core.

SHV operates under the umbrella of Threshold Ministries, a national nonprofit. Lisa Warden is the outreach director for SHV. 

Ways to get Involved:

Volunteer: 
More volunteers are needed for our evening outreach and daytime food preparation, either regular or occasional fill-in. Contact Lisa if you would like to help out or give it a try.

Lisa Warden, Outreach Director

Pray: 
For healing, protection, blessing, and hope for our friends on the street; that the love of Christ would flow through the SHV outreach team; for God’s wisdom, guidance, and provision as we look to start small connection groups.

Donate items: 

During cold months we need hats, scarves, gloves, mittens, and blankets. 

All year we need unopened jars of peanut butter, Cheese Whiz, jam, and Nutella for sandwich-making.

Sponsor the groceries for a month of soup.

Financial support: 
E-transfer, cheque, or credit card, https://www.thresholdministries.ca/give/. Please specify Street Hope Victoria on your donation.

Shop: 
Grocery shop at Fairway with a Fairway Market Community Shopping Card linked to SHV. Every time you use the card to buy your groceries at Fairway Market they donate 5% of the total to Street Hope Victoria. Contact Lisa or Eleanor to get a card.

Street Hope Victoria Contact Info:

Website: https://www.thresholdministries.ca/shv/

Email: lisa.warden@thresholdministries.ca 

Table contact: Eleanor Protheroe eleanor.protheroe@aimint.org