2017 Completed Fall Project
Anawim House
Anawim Companions Society is day house for people living in poverty and trying to find a new way of life. Through their family model, they empower people by working with them not for them.
Now that the renovation is complete, the entire Anawim House program is lifted up and expanded.
Community That Cares
Please look at our Partners Page that lists all of the companies, leaders, and volunteers involved with HeroWork in 2017.
Completed Project Elements in Detail
New Building Extension for Art Therapy and Programming
Now affectionately called the “grand room,” this new space will both expand the art therapy programming and computer stations for Anawim, but also give them the space to have circle groups, yoga, presentations, movie nights, and more.
New Office Spaces
Before the renovation, Anawim House staff were crammed into a single downstairs room with office furniture that could have been found on the side of the road. Now they have proper work spaces, increasing their efficiency and their ability to work with their clients (or as they would kindly say, their family).
New Wellness Room
In the past Anawim had to do their foot care and hair care without any privacy. Now they have a dedicated space for both personal grooming and future healthcare services.
New Bike Shop
This new bike shop will enable Anawim’s fledging, Shifting Gears, bike program to take off. It is designed to teach people how to repair and maintain their bikes, and then give them to our city’s most poor. Transportation is key to gaining employment because to get a job you have to get to the job.
Shed Repairs
This small building was an eyesore as well as unsafe. The ramp was broken and rotten. Now the shed has a new roof, new stairs, and new paint.
Comprehensive Landscaping
The entire landscape was redesigned and rebuilt. It is now not only beautiful, but functional for all the people who drop in but also low maintenance. It includes perennial plantings, seating areas, hardscape and pathways, drip irrigation, and an interlocking stone patio with a custom memorial mosaic.
Exterior Painting and Repair
To have a home feel like home it needs to be well maintained. This building was a complex exterior painting job that required the repair (and in some cases the replacement) of siding and facia boards. The “blue house” is now back to its stunning blue once again!
Refreshed Counselling Rooms
People experiencing homelessness have had major trauma in their lives. This means that when they come to Anawim, it’s important to have private spaces for intimate conversations. These spaces are respectful, therapeutic, and appropriate.
Stairs Rebuild and Deck Repair
All three sets of stairs were replaced as well as a section of the deck. One section of railing was replaced on the main deck and the front deck had all of the railing replaced. Once the repairs were completed the entire deck was stained with a special traction stain.
Furniture Refinishing and New Cabinetry
Twice a day the people at Anawim share a meal around a huge kitchen table that seats 16. Now this table is beautiful and will withstand the wear and tear of time. Also, new cabinets were installed for extra workspace and storage off the food service area.
And More...
So many thing you can’t see were done to the building: electrical panels, proper lighting, sprinkler systems, plumbing under the floor… everything up to code and built to last!
Explore Anawim House
Their History
1980’s
The “plight of the homeless” was the challenge facing the founding members of the Anawim Companions Society: a small group of Volunteers at St. Andrew’s soup kitchen in the early 1980’s. Listening to the homeless poor on the street describe their powerlessness and inability to break out of their cycle of poverty, they saw the need for a new model of support.
How to service today’s Anawim who cycle through charity-providing services, yet are unable to break out of their burden of hopelessness and poverty? A model of caring that included volunteers and the poor and homeless as companions was adopted.
1987
The Anawim Companions Society was registered as a non-profit charitable organization in 1987. Through the support and generosity of churches, various service clubs, the local business community, and many individuals from Greater Victoria, a tiny house was purchased at 973 Caledonia Ave. in 1991.
Within two years Anawim House was bursting at the seams. As basic needs were met at the house, within an alcohol and drug-free environment, the greater challenge of assisting the poor to address the wounds that had put them out on the street – abuse, betrayal, addictions and emotional and mental illness – needed to be addressed. If the Anawim were to again function in mainstream society, they would need to heal within a loving family, learn life skills in preparation for employment, upgrade their education, or return to school to learn a new trade.
1994
With community support the house was greatly expanded to become a multi-functional space in June, 1994. The expansion allowed additional services to meet the underlying causes of poverty among the Anawim in Greater Victoria, and added much needed bedrooms for the residential program.
Today
Anawim House has a family size kitchen, dining area, a large living room and entertainment centre, shower and laundry facilities, a library/board room, offices, an arts and crafts studio, computer work stations, a well equipped workshop, cold storage and ample space for food and clothing supplies. Anawim House also offers private bedrooms for seven residents.
Who They Help
Anawim helps those who want to be helped. We are a clean house (free from drugs and alcohol) that provides for those basic needs to which every individual is entitled. What we provide, above all, is a safe home people can come to and feel like they are a part of something. We do our best to provide a feeling of family.
Anawim encourages personal growth, attending a twelve step program, seeking professional help, education or returning to the work force. We also go out as a family on outings; bowling, golf, hiking, swimming or for something as simple as just going out for ice cream. Anawim shows people how to live in a loving, caring, spiritual environment.
Anawim House is an adult only facility. We offer an outreach day program where those in need of companionship and sharing can drop by 6 days a week. We also provide a well-rounded residential program through which residents are encouraged to seek to change their self defeating behaviors, achieve 30 days of sobriety, and treat others with kindness and respect.
Their Programs
The Day Program:
Anawim’s Day Program is open to the public (adult men and women) in Victoria that are living in poverty and that need a safe and sober environment. It provides an array of services including: support workers, employment advising, foot care, health care services, haircuts, an art program, free meals, free laundry, a wellness program, peer support, a free store and various other opportunities that can be accessed at no cost.
The Residential Program:
Anawim’s Residential Program is open to adult men that need a safe and sober environment to transition and integrate back into society after living on the street. Residents will receive free counselling, support services and essential housing provisions. While living at Anawim residents will give back to society as staff are working with them to outline and address an action plan to strive toward an independent and sustainable living.
Every Donation Helps Rebuild Another Charity
Infrastructure Matters
HeroWork always has new project on the go. Charities need renovations to make their buildings and spaces good so that they can deliver their mandates. Only Herowork can renovate buildings quickly and efficiently at a fraction of traditional costs.
Community Matters
Using a model akin to a modern-day barn raising, HeroWork inspired community participation, leaving stronger networks and more reliant neighbourhoods.
People Matter
After a Radical Renovation vulnerable in our society are lifted up with a sense of connection, pride of place, and the knowledge that community came together to create a legacy of hope for them.
HeroWork Testimonials
Great crew, organization, and atmosphere.
Past HeroWork Volunteer
I love being on Facebook and photo duty. Share the love and community spirit!
Past HeroWork Volunteer
Great to see all the amazing effort that's gone into this transformation and kudos to everyone who stepped in to help others.
Past HeroWork Volunteer
I am very moved by the whole experience & being part of an enthusiastic community effort.
Past HeroWork Volunteer