Friends, volunteers, sponsors, and leaders…
It is because of YOU that I can make this announcement. It is because of the support of our volunteers, our sponsors, our leaders, and our community. Without your support we would not be where we are today. So, first, before I go any farther…thank you. Thank you.
With gratitude and open-hearted pride I stand up and shout, “WE’VE GOT ANOTHER PROJECT!!” This one will be for the Greater Victoria Citizens’ Counselling Centre. It starts Friday May 29th and continues for three consecutive weekends, ending Sunday June 14th with the Big Reveal.
About the Citizens’ Counselling Centre (CCC)
Who are they, you ask? Let me tell you.
The mission of this 45 year old society says, “they assist adults in attaining socially and psychologically satisfying lives by providing quality, accessible, volunteer counseling services.”
In short, the CCC helps families stay together through couples counselling; they help youth move towards a healthy life path; they help seniors and the working poor deal with stress, anxiety, and depression.
Their work represents a solution, not just a band aid.
Well respected in our community, the CCC trains approximately 18 new volunteer counselors every year through a comprehensive training program. In 2014 they had 115 volunteers counsel 1200 clients, giving 9000 hours with a market value of $1 million. Thirty percent of these clients are youth between the ages of 18 and 29–some of them from the Threshold Housing Society.
In the same building is the BC Schizophrenia Society (who are tenants of the CCC). Although the reno is primarily for the Citizens’ Counselling Centre, the Schizophrenia Society will also be positively affected.
As you can tell the theme of this project will be mental health—a crucial topic affecting a wide swath of our society.
The Challenge
Located at 941 Kings Road (off Quadra), the Citizens’ Counselling Centre has been in their building for 25 years without any renovations to their portion of the building. It is reaching the end of its current lifespan. Our job is to not only make it beautiful and functional, but also make it last another 25 years.
Here is the basic scope:
Building Exterior
- Paint
- Mural
- Awning
- Signage/Graphics
Ground Floor – Schizophrenia Society & Citizens Counselling Centre
- Reception
- Common Area Flow Space
- Stairway to Second Floor
- Restrooms (2 / 1 ADA compliant)
- Kitchenette (in Common Area)
- Small Treatment Rooms (2)
- 1 Large Treatment Room
- 1 Large Group Room
Second Floor – Citizens’ Counselling Centre
- Common Area Flow Space
- Volunteer Lounge with Kitchenette
- Offices (4 / 3 with Treatment Space)
- Small Treatment Rooms (2)
- Restrooms (2)
The renovation will start on either May 29th or 30th and go for at least two weekends, probably three. (We are still figuring out specifics and sequence.) Between now and then there is a ton of work to be done!
Want to get involved?
Share this story any way you can. Like us on Facebook. Follow us on Twitter. Tell a friend. Inspire a coworker.- If you are an accredited contractor you can click here and fill out the form–you will be contacted directly.
- If you want to sponsor this event or HeroWork in general click here.
- If you want to get on our preliminary general volunteer list, or become part of our organizational team, click here. (We are still accepting a few leadership positions.)
- Lastly (and importantly) if you would like to donate to HeroWork so we can keep inspiring community and rebuilding community infrastructure, click here.
Of course, we will continue to chronicle the journey of HeroWork, showcasing all of the heroes in our community and highlighting the issues faced by the Citizens’ Counselling Centre (and the BC Schizophrenia Society). So stay tuned!
As always, “Love openly. Live courageously. And make a difference wherever you can!”
Paul
PS There will be a 2015 fall project, too 🙂
