Covenant House Vancouver

One day at a time, that's what they say,
Living in yesterday won't give you what you want.
I remember how I used to wish the pain away,
But now I'm re-writing my life in a different font.

I used to sit alone in my room fiending,
Trying to cover up those depressed feelings.
Now I'd rather hang out in an AA meeting,
And finally for the first time I feel like I'm healing.

It feels really good just to be me,
And not living in total fear,
It's like I was blind and now I can see,
And everything is crystal clear.

Now I can't wait for the years to come,
Without worrying how to stay numb.

Covenant House's Downtown Street Voice (DSV) exists to bring awareness and education to issues that street entrenched and at risk youth face.  DSV is a youth lead advocacy and activist group. This is Covenant House Vancouver's longest running youth group. Though it has taken many forms over the years, it has continued due to the hard work and dedication of a few youth, strong belief in youth engagement and great team work within Covenant House.

This group is mostly youth driven, but is staffed and funded by Covenant House. That means this groups runs as a democracy within itself as to its group guidelines, direction, allocation of the DSV budget, and membership agreements but all meetings are facilitated by a Life Skills Worker.

One of the services DSV offers is "The Real Game of Life" which they faciliate to groups who are interested in learning what it's really like to live on the streets.  Click here for more information.

I haven't posted any youth artwork or photography in a while (sorry!) but here a few to tide you over until I round up some more.  Our youth participation strategy and life skills training includes art/photography along with recreational outings (yoga on Friday afternoons at YYOGA), and cultural & sporting events (we are blessed to receive donated tickets to plays, opera, hockey games etc.)

Many of our youth were not exposed to the arts when they were growing up and it is very endearing when you see them get ready for a night at the Vancouver Opera.  The evening usually begins with a trip to our clothing room to choose appropriate attire and there is excitement in the air as everyone gets ready for a "fancy" night out.  Our recreational volunteers and/or staff accompany the youth and encourage them to write thank you letters to the donors responsibile for the tickets.

Enjoy the photos below; comments, as always, are encouraged.

Argyle Secondary School did an amazing video for Covenant House as part of the Youth and Philantropy Initiative.

The Youth and Philanthropy Initiative, created by the Toskan Casale Foundation, is a one-of-a-kind educational program that gives young people hands-on experience in social change and empowers them to participate in the development of their communities.

In B.C. the YPI project is assigned to high school students (in participating schools) enrolled in Planning 10. Students work in groups, researching and selecting a local non-profit social service organization. Students set up a meeting with representatives of their chosen charity to gain more insight on the services provided to the community. Once research is complete the students create a ten-minute presentation on their charity and how a grant would better serve its clients.

One group from each class is selected to compete in a school final where a judging panel selects a winning team. The winners receive a $5,000 grant from the Toskan Casale Foundation that is awarded to the charity the student group represented.

To view this wonderful video click here.

Last week I posted the sixth of eight pages from a young person's comic strip that depicts her experience in the pyschiatric ward faced with mental health and addictions issues.  It a startlingly powerful piece and we applaud her courage for creating it and for allowing us to share it with our readers.  I would like to thank Nicole for her courage, insight and wisdom.  We have had great feedback on this comic, both the writing and illustration have moved people. 

Scroll down to see the conclusion.

Please note that some of the language and content in the comic may be offensive to some readers. 

Comments, as always, are welcomed.

Last week I posted the fifth of eight pages from a young person's comic strip that depicts her experience in the pyschiatric ward faced with mental health and addictions issues.  It a startlingly powerful piece and we applaud her courage for creating it and for allowing us to share it with our readers.  Scroll down to see Part Six.

Please note that some of the language and content in the comic may be offensive to some readers. 

Comments, as always, are welcomed.

Part One: 

Part Two:

Part Three:

Last week I posted the fourth of eight pages from a young person's comic strip that depicts her experience in the pyschiatric ward faced with mental health and addictions issues.  It a startlingly powerful piece and we applaud her courage for creating it and for allowing us to share it with our readers.  Scroll down to see Part three.

Please note that some of the language and content in the comic may be offensive to some readers. 

Comments, as always, are welcomed.

Part One: 

Part Two:

Part Three:

Last week I posted the third of eight pages from a young person's comic strip that depicts her experience in the pyschiatric ward faced with mental health and addictions issues.  It a startlingly powerful piece and we applaud her courage for creating it and for allowing us to share it with our readers.  Scroll down to see Part three.

Please note that some of the language and content in the comic may be offensive to some readers. 

Comments, as always, are welcomed.

Part One: 

Part Two:

Part Three:

Last week I posted the second of eight pages from a young person's comic strip that depicts her experience in the pyschiatric ward faced with mental health and addictions issues.  It a startlingly powerful piece and we applaud her courage for creating it and for allowing us to share it with our readers.  Scroll down to see Part three.

Please note that some of the language and content in the comic may be offensive to some readers. 

Comments, as always, are welcomed.

Part One: 

Part Two:

Part Three:

Next week we will publish Part Four.