Two Events in Late 2025

Peer2Peer Indigenous Society ‘Hot Soup’ on the Block

On Friday, December 19, 2025, we were happy to support Peer2Peer Indigenous Society with both volunteers and money to purchase supplies for their ‘hot soup’ event on Pandora. Patrick from Peer2Peer was the head chef with help from Karen, Bernice and Thea to chop vegetables and do other prep for the hamburger soup. We also were able to offer a slice of buttered sourdough bread and a drink (pop, Bubly or juice box). We fed about 90 people and Karen from Peer2Peer wants to offer something more substantial in January 2026 (maybe a roast beef meal).

Longest Night Event

For many years, around the world (but primarily in North America), the year’s longest night, the winter solstice, has been a day to remember those who have died unhoused on the streets of our communities. In Victoria in years past this event has been organized by the Alliance to End Homelessness in the Capital Region (previously called the Greater Victoria Coalition to End Homelessness) but this organization closed its doors at the end of September 2025.

NSUN joined together with the Backpack Project, the Housing Justice Project and The Existence Project (what a lot of projects!) to organize this year’s event which took place on Sunday, December 21, 2025. We started on Pandora outside Our Place and offered the street family there some hot snacks and hot chocolate or coffee. We hung a piece of vinyl on the fence where people could write the names of those that they’ve lost (whether this year or in years previous). We then walked down to the Whale Wall where we had a silent vigil at sunset.

The weather was blustery, cold and drizzly. We struggled to keep our candles lit. The miserableness brought home to all of us how awful the life of an unhoused person is from a purely physical perspective let alone an emotional and mental aspect. Thanks to Olivier Laurin from Vic News for covering the event and taking photos.

NSUN took down the piece of vinyl on December 30th – below is a photo of it after being out on the block. The Housing Justice Project received feedback that people liked having the vinyl there so we are in discussion about putting another piece of vinyl up and to make this a regular part of the block in the future. Stay tuned.