Thanks to the Cook Street Activity Centre for hosting Jody Paterson to talk about her Street Stories project (Instagram link) and homelessness more generally. Learn more about Jody and her recent personal writings on homelessness on her delightfully old-school blog (on blogspot no less!).
Here is a link to Mar that Jody mentioned as well as a link to Mar’s Facebook group where she tracks bylaws activities.
Jody has had several pieces published in the Times Colonist over the past year (and if you search the Times Colonist site with her name you can go back to 2009 at least):
- An overdose of grief: Ten years into the crisis, the toxic-drug toll continues to mount – April 12, 2026
- Life support: B.C.’s supportive-housing system is overwhelmed and underfunded – March 22, 2026
- Toxic soup: Today’s illicit drug supply is ever-changing — and deadly – March 1, 2026
- Man who ran for mayor in all 13 of the region’s municipalities was a disrupter (not strictly about homelessness) – February 8, 2026
- Street stories: Scenes from the 900 block of Pandora Avenue – January 18, 2026
- Comment: Social triage is different from medical triage – October 16, 2025
- Comment: We are far from anything resembling ‘endless accommodation’ – September 27
- Comment: People are desperate for voluntary-care services – May 31, 2025
Organizations that Jody Mentioned
Jody didn’t mention us – Neighbourhood Solidarity with Unhoused Neighbours (NSUN) but if you’re reading this you found us. Learn more about us.
Peer2Peer Indigenous Society – Jody’s story (and picture) of Karen and Nancy will fill you in on this truly grassroots organization that is doing fantastic work on a shoestring budget. The best place to stay up-to-date with P2P is to follow them on Facebook – or if you’d like to see them in action look for their logo’ed ambulance out on Pandora (the 900 block) usually from 10:00 to noon on Mondays and Wednesdays.
SOLID Outreach – next year SOLID will turn 20 years old and I shudder to think what we would do without them here in Victoria. From running the overnight shelter at St. John the Divine to staffing the Harbour Overdose Prevention Site (at Our Place) to doing outreach on Pandora, other locations downtown and in the parks they are simply indispensable.
Together Against Poverty Society (TAPS) – TAPS, established in 1989 (!), helps people with completing their tax returns as well as providing legal advocacy, helping people apply for disability (PWD) and offering public education around legal issues (tenancy, disability rights).
QomQem Coastal Connections – QomQem works in Indigenous Harm Reduction and Indigenous Health Services. They have a variety of programs that you can learn about on their website including, but not limited to, support obtaining housing, Indigenous health offerings (smudging, brushing, sweat lodge) and in the fall/winter Sunday night outreach (image below).
Each of these organizations will accept donations – both material donations like juice boxes or fresh fruit (always a big hit) to distribute on outreach as well as financial donations – learn more at their websites. Some may also have positions for volunteers. The best advice is to spend some time getting to know the organizations and see if they have a volunteer position that would be a good fit for you.
If you have any questions you can email neighbourhoodsun@gmail.com or use our contact form.
Neighbourhood Solidarity with Unhoused Neighbours 