Homelessness Partnering Strategy - GVRD Projects
CIRCLE OF EAGLES LODGE SOCIETY
Andersons Healing Lodge for Aboriginal Women
Anderson Healing Lodge for Aboriginal Women is a 24/7, 10 bed barrier-fee transitional/emergency shelter for Aboriginal women in the Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside. The Lodge is a next step in the continuum of care and provides culturally appropriate Healing, Life skills & Recovery programs using a Medicine Wheel model addressing the four directions and the four aspects of a human being, the Spiritual, the Physical, the Emotional and the Mental. Residents participate in all regular daily programs i.e., employment/resume writing, counseling on/off site; hygiene, grooming and exercise, cultural teachings, Pipe Ceremonies, smudging, cleansing, Sweat Lodge, drum/rattle making, singing and drumming, beading eagle feathers, drum bag sewing, Aroma Therapy and Reiki. Residents also learn Food Safe & prepare the meals for Bannock on the Run & Elders Meals on Wheels. Residents also are provided advocacy and transportation to appointments and to reconnect to their heritage.
CIRCLE OF EAGLES LODGE SOCIETY
Bannock on the Run / Elders Meals on Wheels
Bannock on the Run in conjunction with the residents at Anderson Lodge prepares and delivers three hot/cold meals per month to homeless persons in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside while providing basic life skills when serving. Provides hygiene/survival kits seasonally and connection to other services.
Meals on Wheels in conjunction with the residents at Anderson Lodge prepares and delivers three hot/cold meals to Aboriginal Elders and shut-ins at various sites in Vancouver while providing connection to other services and provides hygiene/survival kits and to provide transportation for Elders to appointments.
HEALING OUR SPIRIT 
Food for Mind, Body & Spirit: A Participant-Driven Kitchen
Participants prepare nutritious meals to ensure those diagnosed with HIV/AID eat, and eat properly, to enhance their health and longevity. During the daily lunch, (Monday to Friday), informative messaging is provided to clients regarding healthy living and the importance of proper nutrition. Also now provides an evening meal twice a week.
HELPING SPIRIT LODGE SOCIETY
SPIRIT WAY provides housing, healing and educational programs to Aboriginal women and their children who are victims of violence. Residents participate in all 12 programs
such as Life skills, Employment skills, Education, Spiritual Balance to name a few. Currently, there are 14 supportive and safe housing units with 33 beds with a stay of up to 18 months.
VANCOUVER ABORIGINAL TRANSFORMATIVE JUSTICE SERVICES
SOCIETY
Vancouver Aboriginal Transformative Justice Homelessness Project identifies the under-lying causes of homelessness as applicable to wrongful behavior and assists participants in building their capacity for self-sufficiency and holistic wellness while the project is based on its ability to address the unique circumstances and needs of Aboriginal offenders and victims. The project also provides assistance and (advocacy) support for clients requiring employment/training opportunities, housing, health services and support services.
URBAN NATIVE YOUTH ASSOCIATION
Young Wolves Lodge for
Young Aboriginal Women
The Young Wolves Lodge for Aboriginal Young Women aged 17-24 fills the gap in the continuum of care and allows the women to utilize the program as a means of support to help stabilize their lives and to prevent or end homelessness. The YWL provides daily programming such as life skills, parenting skills to enable increased chance of healthier and safer living. Also to assist youth in working towards reuniting with their children whom the Ministry of Children and Families have apprehended.
VANCOUVER NATIVE HEALTH SERVICES 
Getting Off the Street & On My Feet: A First Step
Getting Off The Street & On My Feet: A First Step provides temporary shelter (up to two weeks) to homeless Aboriginal males with mental health clients at an alcohol and drug recovery house. Referrals of clients come from participating agencies including the First Nations Mental Health Program. Also to have participating agency staff access appropriate education and training to facilitate the activities of this project. Cultural activates for participants are encouraged as well to attend the Sweat Lodge and the use of hygiene/survival kits for clients.
Homelessness Partnering Strategy – Provincial Projects
FORT ST. JOHN FRIENDSHIP CENTRE SOCIETY
10208 – 95 Avenue, Fort St. John, BC V1J 1J2
Tel: (250) 785 – 8566
Fax: (250) 785 -1507
Special Friends Breakfast Project
Fort St John Society will meet the HPS objectives target areas through the Special Friends Breakfast Project by hiring a Breakfast Coordinator to implement a full program which would provide one meal a day, during the breakfast hours for five days a week, (Monday through Friday). The Breakfast Coordinator will also provide assistance, guidance, mentorship and support to homeless individuals living in Fort St John. Hygiene packages and cold weather wear will also be provided on a needed basis to homeless individuals.
4917 Argyle Street, Port Alberni, BC V9Y 1V6
Tel: 723-2323 / Fax: 723-2382
Aboriginal Homelessness Response Initiative
KUU US Crisis Line Society will meet the HPS objectives target areas through the Aboriginal Homelessness Response Initiative Project (AHRI) which will provide AHRI advocate, 24 Hour Emergency Needs Access Line, 24 Hour Crisis/Street Outreach,
a Homelessness Coordinator.
Also provided in partnership with the Port Alberni Hostel Society an Emergency shelter bed.
Lillooet Friendship Centre Society
357 Main Street, Box 2170, Lillooet BC, V0K 1V0
Community Cares Project
Lillooet Friendship Centre Society will meet the HPS objectives and target areas through the Community Cares Project by increasing the hours for the existing Community Services Coordinator to implement a full program that would provide weekly soup & bannock lunches, monthly Elders lunches and clothing distribution to meet the immediate food and clothing needs of those who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.
WACHIAY FRIENDSHIP CENTRE
1625 B McPhee Avenue, Courtenay BC V9N 5N4
Telephone: 250-338-7793 / Fax: 250-338-728
1.Aboriginal Homelessness Prevention/Intervention Project
The AHPI project will meet the HPS Objectives through hiring an Aboriginal Counselor to provide support to people in need to deter homelessness, which would offer support and provide support to women who are in and/or leaving violent or abusive relationships.
2. Prevention of Homelessness – Elder Support & Public Education Project
The Elders Program will meet the objectives by hiring a full time Aboriginal Elder Support Worker to undertake the activities designed for the Prevention of Homelessness – Elders Support Project, such as, support, advocacy and transportation to; appointments, hospitals or medical centers, cultural events, Elders dinner and luncheons.