About Out of the Rain

Schedule

Contact

History

The Coalition

"When they come to the shelter they're met with warmth and absolute absence of judgement ...it's actually a pretty mellow space ... Over time, we have an opportunity to gain trust and build connections, and this is the real icing on the cake. Sometimes we are able to help the youth remove barriers and achieve success that otherwise is out of their grasp."

Jim Wilton
Youth Worker
Out of the Rain

 

OUT OF THE RAIN YOUTH SHELTER

About Out of the Rain

Out of the Rain works to reduce the risks faced by homeless youth by supplying a warm, safe and dry environment for youth aged 15 to 25. Morning and evening meals are provided for up to 30 youth each night. In 2008, over 200 youth were supported by this program.

Trained staff and street nurses staff the shelter each night. In addition to tending to the immedidate needs of the youth and lending a friendly ear, these youth workers also aim to emplower youth by providing support and referrals to community based programs.

The shelter operates 7 days a week, from November to April, rotating among hosts sites in the community in an effort to maximize community resources.

Schedule

Start Date: November 1, 2010. Pets welcome unless otherwise noted.

Monday

St. John's Hall - 925 Balmoral

10pm-8am

Tuesday

First Metropolitan United Church - 932 Balmoral
Entrance is the double doors close to the road. Sign says "Out of the Rain."

10pm-8am

Wednesday

St. Andrew's Presbyterian - 680 Courtney
Entrance off Courtney St.

10pm-8am

Thursday

Fernwood Community Centre - 1240 Gladstone Ave. (No Pets)
Entrance is around the back at the gym doors.

10pm-7am

Friday

Boys' and Girls' Clubs - 1240 Yates St.
Entrance is the double gym doors down the driveway to the right of the main entrance.

10pm-8am

Saturday

YMCA-YWCA of Greater Victoria - 851 Broughton St.
Entrance is off Quadra, up the ramp to the parking area.

10pm-7am

Sunday

Downtown Community Activity Centre - 755 Pandora Ave. (No Pets)

10pm-7am

 

Contact

Shelter Phone Number 250-415-3856

Volunteer / Donation Number: 250-884-3701
Please call this number if you are interested in
donating or volunteering, or if you have questions.

History

In 1997, a group of downtown outreach workers, frustrated at the lack of sheltering services for street youth in Victoria, were determined to find a place for Victoria's street youth to sleep at night. These workers, in collaboration with a group of youth, began asking around downtown Victoria for places willing to open their doors to house the youth. A coalition of community and faith-based organizations was formed and the Out of the Rain Youth Shelter was born. At inception the purpose was simple: to provide a warm, safe place for homeless youth to sleep throughout the coldest months of the year. The doors opened in the winter of 1998 for six months and they have been open every winter season since.

Out of the Rain has been operating for 12 years, helping over 4,000 of Victoria’s homeless youth.

Just a few years ago, the now flourishing Out of the Rain Youth Shelter was on the brink of shutting down. In November 2006, Beacon Community Services stepped forward to act as the lead agency for Out of the Rain, working in partnership with Victoria’s faith-based community and social service agencies.

The Coalition

Additional support is provided by: