Local Youth Resources

Kids Help Phone provides 24 hour, free, anonymous, and confidential counseling services to youth (1-800-668-6868).

Kiwanis Emergency Youth Shelter provides emergency shelter for youth (13-18) in crisis and without safe housing (250-396-8282).

Mary Manning Centre provides support to children who were abused and any affected family members through a range of services, including: counselling, prevention and education, court preparation (250-385-6111).

Pandora Youth Apartments provides transitional housing for youths (15-19) who may need support around social isolation, poverty, substance use, trauma, nutrition, life skills, health care, education, and employment. (Ph: 250-380-2663; Cell: 250-857-1175).

Threshold Housing provides transition housing for youth (16-21) at risk of homelessness (Ph: 250-380-2663; Cell: 250-857-1175).

Umbrella Society Youth outreach workers available for addiction and mental health support (250-380-0595).

Victoria Island Crisis Line 24-hour crisis support and directs people to appropriate resources (Crisis Line: 1-888-494-3888).

Victoria Youth Clinic provides confidential, primary health care services to youth (12-24). No appointment or Care Card necessary (250-383-3552).

Victoria Youth Empowerment Program provides a range of programs, including: day-time drop-in to access counselling, supports and referrals; evening drop-in with meals and recreational activities; youth detox facility; life skills program; mental health liaison counselor (250-383-3514).

Youth Core is a portal of resources with a focus on building community capacity and youth leadership opportunities (250-386-6328).

Youth Space provides a safe space for youth to talk and share with trained volunteers by text message, online chat, email or forum discussion (778-783-0177).

Local Resources

Action Committee for People with Disabilities provides advocacy for low income individuals with disabilities, offering programs such as home & community support, day programs, and case management (250-383-4105).

AIDS Vancouver Island provides services for people living with HIV, AIDS, and HCV; people who use drugs; people who identify as trans* people, gay men, bisexual men, queer men, and men who have sex with men. A variety of services, including: harm reduction supplies and support, men’s wellness program, counselling, medical clinic, and more (General Services Infoline: 1-800-665-2437; Access Health Centre: 250-384-2366; Harm Reduction Services: 250-889-0268).

Bridges for Women provides programs, services, and supports for women impacted by trauma, violence, abuse, or neglect and help them build economic stability and independence (250-385-7410).

Cool Aid Community Health Clinic  works to end homelessness and support people in need with integrated health services including mental health and addiction services (250-385-1466).

Cool Aid Dental Clinic works to end homelessness and remove barriers to care for people in need by providing affordable and subsidized dental care (250-383-5957).

GT Hiring Solutions coordinates client-focused employment programs and services (Douglas St. Office: 250-388-0858; Gorge Rd. Office: 250-388-5627).

HerWay Home provides non-judgmental health care and social supports for pregnant and early parenting women impacted by substance use issues (250-519-3681).

Island Health Street Nurse; call for details (250-361-7056 (Mon – Thurs) or 250-818-3373 (Tues, Thurs, Fri).

Men’s Therapy Centre provides psychological and practical support to males 16 years old or older who suffer from the effects of physical, emotional, or sexual trauma (250-381-6367).

Nurse Line provides free-of charge provincial health info and advice phone line about non-emergency health concerns (dial 8-1-1).

Our Place Society provides a wide variety of programs and services for people in need, such as transitional housing, food program, drop-in/outreach centre, wellness services, and more (250-388-7112).

Pacifica Housing helps people find housing in the private market (250-356-2555).

Vancouver Island Persons Living with HIV/AIDS Society (VPWAS) is the only peer based HIV/AIDS organization on Vancouver Island, and has been providing peer navigation, peer support and treatment information to persons living with HIV/AIDS and Hep C for over 20 years (250.382.7927).

Rock Bay Landing provides 84 permanent shelter beds, 23 new transitional housing apartments, and two apartments for families—Victoria’s only family shelter (250-383-1951).

Sandy Merriman House provides emergency shelter in downtown Victoria to anyone who self-identifies as a woman and is over 19 years old (250-480-1408).

Single Parent Resource Centre provides counselling, mentorship, and practical support (including clothing room, bread pantry, free toy and book room, househood goods exchange) for one-parent families (250-385-1114).

S.O.L.I.D (Society of Living Illicit Drug Users) provides support, education and advocacy to better the lives of people who use drugs (250-298-9497).

Street Survival Guide is a one-stop resource containing information about shelters, food, showers, health and dental, counselling and support, and more. for those experiencing (or at risk of) homelessness in Victoria.

TAPS (Together Against Poverty Society) provides free, face-to-face legal advocacy for people with income assistance, disability benefits and tenancy issues (250-361-3521).

Umbrella Society provides advocacy, support, and referrals for people affected by addiction or mental health (250-380-0595).

Vancouver Island Crisis Line provides 24 hour crisis support and directs people to appropriate resources (Crisis Line: 1-888-494-3888).

Victoria Native Friendship Centre provides support and services for urban Aboriginal people, including employment services, health and social programs, arts and cultural practices, and more (250-384-3211).

Victoria Sexual Assault Centre (VSAC) supports women and all trans* survivors of sexual assault and childhood sexual abuse, through advocacy, counselling, and empowerment. 24-hour crisis and info line available (Crisis & Info Line: 250-383-3232; office: 250-383-5545).

Victoria Sexual Assault Clinic Confidential, accessible, and welcoming environment for recent survivors or sexual assault to access services such as medical exams, forensic exams, crisis support, and connections to community resources (250-383-3232).

Victoria Women’s Transition House provides safe shelter, respectful counselling, support and advocacy to women. 24-hour crisis line for women currently experiencing abuse (Crisis Line: 250-385-6611; office: 250-592-2927).

Canadian & International Resources for Sex Workers

**New! The Canadian Alliance for Sex Work Law Reform has put together infosheets on five aspects of the new laws governing sex work in Canada that took effect at the end of 2014.

BC Coalition of Experiential Communities is a consortium of sex worker activists who work to support the development of legislation and policies; peer driven programs and services; and work toward the elimination of oppressive systems and forces that create harm within the sex industry.

Big Susie’s is a Hamilton, ON sex work advocacy group. This organization is not longer operating, but the website content remains active.

Canadian Alliance for Sex Work Law Reform is a group fighting for reform of Canadian’s prostitution laws.

Chez Stella is a Montreal, QB sex work advocacy group.

Desiree Alliance is an American sex work alliance.

FIRST is a coalition of feminists who support the rights of sex workers and advocate for decriminalization.

Maggie’s Toronto Sex Workers Action Project is a Toronto, ON sex work advocacy group and resource centre.

New Zealand Prostitutes Collective advocates for the human rights, health and well-being of all sex workers.

NSWP (Global Network of Sex Work Projects) conducts a mix of pro-active and re-active policy advocacy to support human rights and evidence based approaches to female, male and transgendered sex workers and strengthening sex worker communities.

Pace Society (Prostitution Alternatives Counselling & Education) is a Vancouver, BC sex work advocacy group and resource centre.

Pivot Legal Society is an organization that initiates legal challenge and provides legal education campaigns, public engagement, and innovative projects which highlight the struggles, hopes, and insights of people living on the margins of society.

POWER (Prostitutes of Ottawa/Gatineau Work, Educate and Resist) is a non-profit, voluntary organization that advocates on behalf of sex workers.

Shift is a Calgary, AB organization provides support services to current and former sex industry to improve their quality of life and achieve individualized goals.

Stepping Stone is a non-profit organization committed to improving the quality of life for people living in Langley who may face numerous challenges including mental illness, homelessness, and poverty.

Sex Worker Open University aims to empower the sex work community through workshops, debates, actions and art projects.

Wish Drop-In Centre Society in Vancouver, BC provides outreach services and resources to female survival sex workers.