Since 1875, the Vancouver Island Y has been supporting healthy individuals building strong communities, as a continuing member of both the YMCA and YWCA federations.

In addition to the Young Mom’s program at Kiwanis House, we operate another housing initiative for youth at risk with Victoria Cool Aid Society on Pandora Street, and a variety of programs broadly categorized under community health, youth learning & leadership development or outdoor activities. With approximately 24,000 members, the Y currently has 3 health & fitness facilities with licenced childcare centres, a 1200 acre wilderness experience at Camp Thunderbird, and we remotely deliver initiatives across the Island including Y-Mind supporting mental wellness for youth, and the annual Power of Being a Girl event.

The Vancouver Island Y builds strong communities by improving the health, fitness and well-being of individuals and families. We nurture the potential of youth, promote equality and provide opportunities for giving back.

Drop-In Centre/Wellness Clinic:

The drop-in program provides daily lunch, educational workshops, recreational and social activities, a bi-weekly health clinic, access to harm reduction supplies and information, monthly legal support from a volunteer lawyer, support staff, computers, and a household and clothing room.

Health Support and Outreach:

Providing one to one support in the community, this outreach worker supports individuals to optimally access a range of health and allied services. In addition to supporting access to medical care, this worker also supports access to critical health enhancing resources such as housing, food security, income, and social support. This program is primarily aimed at those affected by communicable conditions (HIV/AIDS and HCV) and/or acute health care needs.

Night Outreach:

Night outreach is a community-based service located on the Victoria stroll. Each evening, two support staff deliver food, harm reduction supplies (e.g., needles, crack kits, and water), clothing, and other health and safety oriented information and supports from the Peers van.

Housing and Community Support:

This program supports our clients in finding and keeping stable, affordable housing. Peers administers 14 small housing subsidies on behalf of BC Housing through this program, targeting in particular the clients who are leaving transitional shelter and ready to seek market housing. The Housing and Community Support worker also networks extensively with other community agencies who provide supported housing and emergency/transitional housing. This program is primarily aimed at those affected by chronic and episodic homelessness.

Violence Prevention & Response:

A program focusing on education and support services aimed to prevent/respond to violence, and increase access to support/justice services for people who have experienced harm.

Victoria’s “Bad Date & Aggressor” Sheet:

Staff working across the above programs compile and distribute a “bad date” sheet and work with the Victoria Police in reporting violence against persons in the sex industry and to assist in follow up investigations and justice processes.

Men and Trans Outreach:

An outreach program for men and trans individuals in the sex industry. Group education and individual health supports are offered in community and at the Peers Victoria office.

Trans Workers Monthly Dinner Group:

A monthly dinner group for people with experience in sex work who are 2-spirit, trans, non-binary, and/or intersex. This group meets to build community, and foster connections in a safe(r) and supportive space. We aim to create an inclusive environment where people can share their interests, concerns, and who they are.

Indoor Workers Dinner and Education Group:

A monthly dinner group for sex workers in independent and agency based indoor environments. This group meets to build community, share safety and advocacy concerns and solutions, and to gain access to key support providers in the community. Each month the group meets for dinner and one or two guest speakers representing local services (lawyers, police, members of government, tax and accounting specialists, health providers) chosen by the group attend and answer questions. For more information on joining this group, contact:

Small Business Training Program:

The small business training offers basic credit and debt, tax, bookkeeping and budgeting skills. We cover math anxiety, sales and marketing, pricing and business planning. Past participants and local business owners will be guest speakers.

Upon completing the program you will have a business plan that can be used to apply for a Community Micro Loan and an understanding of how to do basic bookkeeping for yourself as a sole proprietor.

The Jannit Rabinovitch Memorial Scholarship:

This scholarship is named after Jannit Rabinovitch, feminist and community activist, and one of the co-founders of Peers Victoria Resources Society in 1995. She continued to support Peers until the end of her life (2007). The scholarship provides funds to support current and former sex workers to pursue education and job training.

Coming soon...