Peers Powers Our People Up Fundraiser

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“Without Peers, in this time of COVID 19, I would have no food, shelter or support.”-Marnie

Fundraiser link

Please help us raise $30,000 this month by dollar for dollar matching a generous donation of up to $15,000 from a community member with a big heart.

Peers Powers Our People Up Emergency Fund is for current and former sex workers in Victoria. Many are falling through the cracks of the emergency response to COVID-19 because they don’t meet the eligibility criteria for federal and provincial government aid.
We’ll use these funds flexibly to help people make ends meet over the coming month. 100% of the proceeds will go towards emergency rent supports to prevent housing loss, food and basic necessities and hygiene and prevention supplies.Peers community members are experiencing a loss of income, some new expenses due to social distancing, and a loss of access to the supports they used prior to this pandemic.Although the focus of the Peers Powers Our People Up fund is on the Peers community, other current Vancouver Island sex workers will be considered. We sincerely appreciate any assistance or support you might be able to provide.

Service Changes in Response to COVID-19

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Service Changes to Peers Until the End of March 2020, Effective March 17th, 2020

Due to the COVID 19 virus, we are reorienting our services to increase social distancing. Our aim is to decrease contacts while still having opportunities to connect and receive basic supplies.  Right now, the schedule for drop off supplies is Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Phone support and texts can be received daily.

Drop In: Services at the drop in centre will be by appointment or door service Monday Wednesday and Friday from 11-1. We will have food, harm reduction supplies and bus tickets to hand out, but we are discouraging folks from entering the centre unless it is an emergency.

Night Outreach:  We will not be taking the van out due to the difficulty with social distancing in that setting but night outreach staff will help with supply delivery.  The night outreach phone will be checked Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings for requests for harm reduction supply and food delivery.

Housing and Harm Reduction Outreach: Staff can be reached by phone during their usual hours and we will be providing phone support and arranging drop off harm reduction and food (and other essentials).

There will be NO GROUPS at Peers Victoria including SACRED, Men’s Dinner, Indoor, and Trans and Non-Binary, Night Outreach, Drop in until further notice.

Counselling:     Carin will be available for counselling sessions as usual during this time, but will be switching to phone only. Sessions can be booked by contacting Carin via email at carinfreimond@protonmail.com Usual hours are Mon-Thurs from 11am-3pm. Sessions outside of these hours may be possible as well, so people can inquire when they email if these hours don’t work for them.

Phone Numbers:

Housing: 250.415.1874 Answered Monday to Thursday 10-4; text anytime

Harm Reduction: 250.217.0410 Answered Monday to Thursday 10-4; text anytime

Prevention: 250.217.5937 Tuesday to Thursday 12-4; text anytime

Men’s Program 250.217.1386 Answered Monday to Thursday 10-4; text anytime

Phone: Night Outreach 250.744.0171 Answered Monday, Wednesday and Friday 11-1:30

Volunteers and Students: All volunteer and student shifts are cancelled until further notice.

Facebook: There will be a Peers Facebook group that is monitored by several staff.  We also welcome messages via Facebook.

Email:

housing@peers.bc.ca / dropin@peers.bc.ca / outreach@peers.bc.ca / health@peers.bc.ca 

For More Info about COVID 19: https://www.islandhealth.ca/learn-about-health/diseases-conditions/novel-coronavirus-information

Violence Prevention and Support Worker Job Posting – Application deadline extended to Dec 31, 2018

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Job Posting _ Violence Prevention and Support Worker Nov 2018  –  Application deadline extended to Monday December 31, 2018

2018 Holiday Gift Bag Drive

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Holiday Gift BagsWe are collecting gift bags again this year for our program participants.  Following up on the successful drive last year, we are again doing three themes: snack bag, cozy bag, and weather bag.  See posters for details on what to include. holidayGiftBagsPoster-2018

Peers is looking for a communications officer

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Peers is looking for a dynamic communications officer to help us with fundraising, public education, and building our support community.  This position is well suited to someone with a strong communications and fundraising background who is looking for a unique opportunity to work with a smaller grass roots non profit. Communications Officer Sept 14, 2018

We are hiring!

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Check out our job postings by clicking on the About tab and then Employment!