Our Place

The Victoria Police Department is asking for $63 million for their 2022 budget. (Black Press Media file photo)

Downtown Victoria businesses and non-profits sign off on 7% police budget increase

Officials with variety of agencies draft joint letter calling on city hall to approve VicPD budget

The Victoria Police Department is asking for $63 million for their 2022 budget. (Black Press Media file photo)
Clothing donations can be dropped off at 919 Pandora Ave. any time. (Black Press Media file photo)

Our Place Society seeks underwear, sock donations

Centre serving unhoused residents asks for local support

Clothing donations can be dropped off at 919 Pandora Ave. any time. (Black Press Media file photo)
Our Place Society volunteers and cooks Liina Mynttinen and Mike Radovanovic with one of their Thanksgiving meals for their clients. (Kiernan Green/News Staff)

Our Place Society Thanksgiving meal creates bonds of family, despite lack of volunteers

Meals were served cafeteria-style by a team of six kitchen staff

Our Place Society volunteers and cooks Liina Mynttinen and Mike Radovanovic with one of their Thanksgiving meals for their clients. (Kiernan Green/News Staff)
Gordy Dodd has been hosting special dinners for vulnerable members of the community for more than two decades. His company is doing so again for Thanksgiving, in Victoria on Oct. 8 at Our Place (shown here during a previous dinner), and in Nanaimo and Campbell River, also next week. (Black Press Media file photo)

Victoria-based merchant hosting 23rd annual Thanksgiving dinners

Those in need can dine in Victoria, Nanaimo and Campbell River, courtesy Dodd’s Furniture & Mattress

Gordy Dodd has been hosting special dinners for vulnerable members of the community for more than two decades. His company is doing so again for Thanksgiving, in Victoria on Oct. 8 at Our Place (shown here during a previous dinner), and in Nanaimo and Campbell River, also next week. (Black Press Media file photo)
Our Place Society has seen increased non-compliance towards mask wearing and more violent incidents in the area, amid a backdrop of higher numbers of COVID cases within the community that uses its drop-in centre. (Black Press Media file photo)

Our Place Society in Victoria sends strong message by closing drop-in centre for a day

CEO cites need to ‘regroup’ amid rising levels of COVID, mask non-compliance and violent incidents

Our Place Society has seen increased non-compliance towards mask wearing and more violent incidents in the area, amid a backdrop of higher numbers of COVID cases within the community that uses its drop-in centre. (Black Press Media file photo)
Staff unload donations of bottled water that will be handed out to Chilliwack’s homeless community. Our Place in Victoria is seeking public donations of reusable water bottles to supply the city’s homeless population. (Black Press Media file photo)

Our Place Society seeks donations of reusable water bottles during heat wave

Those experiencing homelessness in downtown Victoria are at special risk in warmer weather

Staff unload donations of bottled water that will be handed out to Chilliwack’s homeless community. Our Place in Victoria is seeking public donations of reusable water bottles to supply the city’s homeless population. (Black Press Media file photo)
Ashley MacDonald, Our WorkPlace manager, outside their offices newly revealed facade featuring their new name. (Kiernan Green / Victoria News Staff)

OurPlace rebrands Victoria employment service: Our WorkPlace

Move follows success of employment and computer training for people with employment barriers

Ashley MacDonald, Our WorkPlace manager, outside their offices newly revealed facade featuring their new name. (Kiernan Green / Victoria News Staff)
The Tiny Home Village, at 940 Caledonia Ave., is set to welcome 30 residents starting May 12. (Jane Skrypnek/News Staff)

No influx of animals as people move from parks to housing in Victoria: BC SPCA

Our Place Society says the bulk of its housing sites allows for pets, with rules

The Tiny Home Village, at 940 Caledonia Ave., is set to welcome 30 residents starting May 12. (Jane Skrypnek/News Staff)
Greater Victoria’s Coldest Night walks go virtual this year on Feb. 20. (Photo courtesy Our Place Society)

Our Place neighbourhood walks raise money for Greater Victoria homeless

2021 Coldest Night of the Year fundraiser goes virtual

Greater Victoria’s Coldest Night walks go virtual this year on Feb. 20. (Photo courtesy Our Place Society)
Sweetpal Chauhan, operator of several Shell Gas stations in Greater Victoria, donated 100 jackets and 100 sleeping bags to Our Place on Friday. (Kendra Crighton/News Staff)

PHOTOS: Victoria businessman donates 100 jackets, 100 sleeping bags to Our Place

Warm jackets, sleeping bags can mean the ‘difference between life and death’

Sweetpal Chauhan, operator of several Shell Gas stations in Greater Victoria, donated 100 jackets and 100 sleeping bags to Our Place on Friday. (Kendra Crighton/News Staff)
The Victoria Cool Aid Society community centre on Pandora Avenue has been leased by Our Place Society to provide night shelter for homeless people. (Victoria Cool Aid Society Facebook)

Our Place teams up to add emergency night shelter space

Collaborative effort with Victoria Cool Aid Society adds 20 beds

The Victoria Cool Aid Society community centre on Pandora Avenue has been leased by Our Place Society to provide night shelter for homeless people. (Victoria Cool Aid Society Facebook)
Victoria council is considering providing extra funding to Our Place in order to extend the hours for showers. (Black Press Media file photo)

Victoria to consider extra funds for longer shower hours at Our Place

It would cost the city $15,000 per month for an extra five hours of access each day

Victoria council is considering providing extra funding to Our Place in order to extend the hours for showers. (Black Press Media file photo)
Guests chat with Chef Castro Boateng at a previous Hungry Hearts fundraiser gala for Our Place Society. This year the event is going virtual with a new mac and cheese competition. (Photo by Derek Ford)

Hungry Hearts Gala goes virtual with new mac and cheese competition

Results will be announced on Facebook live stream event

Guests chat with Chef Castro Boateng at a previous Hungry Hearts fundraiser gala for Our Place Society. This year the event is going virtual with a new mac and cheese competition. (Photo by Derek Ford)
A digital cookbook featuring recipes from Vancouver Island restaurants, organized as a class project by Royal Roads students, will benefit Our Place Society. All proceeds will head directly to the community centre that helps Victoria’s most vulnerable. (Courtesy of Laila Belabbas)

Royal Roads students launch quarantine cookbook, all proceeds benefit Our Place Society

Project looking to fill digital project with recipes from Vancouver Island restaurants

A digital cookbook featuring recipes from Vancouver Island restaurants, organized as a class project by Royal Roads students, will benefit Our Place Society. All proceeds will head directly to the community centre that helps Victoria’s most vulnerable. (Courtesy of Laila Belabbas)
Two portraits by local artist Elfrida Schragen which are part of an online gallery saluting Greater Victoria’s female leaders. Visitors to the gallery can bid on portraits, with funds going towards Our Place Society. Pictured here are Florence Dick and Elisabeth Wagner. (Screenshot/Elfrida Schragen Fine Art)

Greater Victoria’s female leaders honoured in ‘unique’ online gallery fundraiser

Online gallery fundraiser will support Our Place Society

Two portraits by local artist Elfrida Schragen which are part of an online gallery saluting Greater Victoria’s female leaders. Visitors to the gallery can bid on portraits, with funds going towards Our Place Society. Pictured here are Florence Dick and Elisabeth Wagner. (Screenshot/Elfrida Schragen Fine Art)
Marg Rose, director of philanthropy, and Steven Seltzer, manager of special events and corporate philanthropy at Our Place are surrounded by tents and sleeping bags which were donated to Our Place from Robinson’s after donors contributed $7,500 to PwC Canada. (Facebook/ Robinson’s Outdoor Store)

Tents, sleeping bags donated to Our Place thanks to local firm and outdoor store

Victoria’s PwC Canada firm and Robinson’s Outdoor store team up to help the homeless

Marg Rose, director of philanthropy, and Steven Seltzer, manager of special events and corporate philanthropy at Our Place are surrounded by tents and sleeping bags which were donated to Our Place from Robinson’s after donors contributed $7,500 to PwC Canada. (Facebook/ Robinson’s Outdoor Store)
Sweetpal Chauhan, operator of several Shell Gas stations in Greater Victoria, is donating 130 blankets and a full lunch to Our Place to help the homeless in a time of extreme struggle. (Nicole Crescenzi/News Staff)

Greater Victoria business owner pays for lunches, blankets at Our Place in dire times

Shell operator Sweetpal Chauhan hopes to inspire others to help amidst COVID-19 worries

Sweetpal Chauhan, operator of several Shell Gas stations in Greater Victoria, is donating 130 blankets and a full lunch to Our Place to help the homeless in a time of extreme struggle. (Nicole Crescenzi/News Staff)
Sandwiches are made for the homeless as Our Place closes its drop-in amidst COVID-19. All meals will now be served outside of 919 Pandora Ave. (Courtesy of Grant McKenzie/Our Place)

Social services groups take extra precautions for Victoria’s most vulnerable amid pandemic

Our Place, Cool Aid, Mustard Seed change procedure for sake of health and safety

Sandwiches are made for the homeless as Our Place closes its drop-in amidst COVID-19. All meals will now be served outside of 919 Pandora Ave. (Courtesy of Grant McKenzie/Our Place)
Our Place unveiled its new van, which will help transport some of its patrons. (File contributed/ Our Place)

New Our Place van takes residents from Victoria to View Royal detox program

The New Roads Therapeutic Recovery Community offers two-year live-in rehabilitation

Our Place unveiled its new van, which will help transport some of its patrons. (File contributed/ Our Place)
Our Place Society is looking for funds to extend its summer hours. (Black Press Media file photo)

Victoria’s Our Place Society looks for funds to extend its summer hours

The City will decide whether to contribute its $50,000 portion this week

Our Place Society is looking for funds to extend its summer hours. (Black Press Media file photo)