Founded in 1992, the Youth Empowerment Society of Victoria is dedicated to helping youth and their families achieve their goals while ensuring everyone involved is treated with dignity and respect.
It’s a cause that resonates with Michele Davis, who leads a program on behalf of the society to raise funds for its operation. Souper Bowls of Hope solicits the support of local potters who produce hand-crafted bowls for the cause.
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Those bowls are filled with a tasty soup on a special day in April when the event brings together the Greater Victoria citizens and the Downtown Business community to raise funds in support of street-entrenched, homeless and youth at risk.
For Davis, the program touches her heart in a way that would not be possible for most people. “My life was personally touched by this cause and, when I needed help for my family, the Youth Empowerment Society was there. I became involved and these days I continue to support them for other families who may be facing what my own once did.”
Davis says she fell into her role with Souper Bowls after event founder Helen Hughes retired after an amazing 18 years as event host.
“I had no hesitation at all in stepping forward to chair the event. Helen had done such a wonderful job in creating this event and I wanted to do my best to keep that legacy alive,” Davis says.
When not engaged in her charity work, Davis operates a private tour and shopping business in Victoria, a role that allows her to share her love of the community with others.
“It’s amazing that some people can have lived here for years and not know some of the basic facts about the community,” she says.
“I love Victoria and it’s just so great that I have a chance to give back to that community in a small way by supporting the Youth Empowerment Society. It’s a great community and a wonderful organization.”