The following statistics are from our 2024 fiscal year, from July 1, 2023 to June 30, 2024. 

The cost-of-living and housing crises have fuelled a significant surge in youth homelessness across Metro Vancouver. Thanks to your generous support, Covenant House Vancouver has expanded our services to address these growing challenges. In 2024, we launched the Sanctuary program, in partnership with Vancouver Coastal Health that provides crucial shelter and specialized care for youth navigating complex substance use and mental health issues.

Our commitment to youth shines through the programs we offer in our newly developed spaces. From art therapy and the music room to life skills workshops and recreational activities, we provide a wide range of holistic support. The demand for our services has grown substantially, with youth accessing over 950 clinical counselling sessions in just one year.

Community Support Services, which includes the Drop-In Centre and Outreach teams, often serves as the first point of contact for youth seeking refuge and support. This year, we enhanced CSS in multiple ways, including extended Drop-In Centre hours. The result has been the highest attendance in a decade. The extended hours provide increased opportunities to connect with, and support, youth. 

Our Winter Shelter program, funded by BC Housing, offers safe, temporary overnight accommodation for youth, age 19 to 24, from November through March. This 10-bed shelter operates every night, regardless of the weather, to ensure that youth have a consistent place to find warmth and support, during the colder months.  


Launched in June 2024, in partnership with Vancouver Coastal Health, Sanctuary offers essential shelter, basic necessities, and comprehensive wraparound care in a compassionate, non-judgmental environment. This program supports youth who face significant substance use and mental health challenges and lack access to similar services elsewhere. Sanctuary’s primary goal is to build trust and foster relationships, which encourages youth to engage with additional programs that support their growth and healing. 

Opened in June 2023, the Foundations program is designed for youth who want to address their substance use, but do not require medical detox. This program uses a harm-reduction and trauma-informed approach to meet youth where they are on their journeys. Together, we create personalized plans tailored to their unique goals and needs.

Youth can be referred to Foundations internally through other Covenant House Vancouver programs or externally by Vancouver Coastal Health’s Central Addiction Intake Team. Foundry nurses are also onsite five days a week to provide additional support and care. 

The Crisis Program provides temporary, free accommodation for youth that allows them to stay as long as needed to navigate their unique challenges. Our program is designed to offer stability and support, and recognizes that healing takes time. 

Youth in the Crisis Program have access to a variety of activities that are aimed at improving their well-being and building important life skills. Some of the services offered include art therapy, budgeting and cooking workshops, and physical recreation. In 2024, we celebrated over 100 successful and stable transitions to independent living. 

A highlight of our services is dog therapy, which was introduced in 2024. Youth can connect with a friendly dog and enjoy therapeutic walks through the neighbourhood, which offers moments of joy and relaxation, during challenging times. 

Rights of Passage offers young people safe, affordable housing and comprehensive support as they prepare to transition to their next living situation. The program emphasizes community building and encourages youth to participate in activities such as gardening, cultural celebrations, and recreational committees. 

In March 2024, 14 youth, previously housed in the temporary Sanctuary program, began moving into the newly renovated Rights of Passage building on Pender Street. This purpose-built space now accommodates up to 44 youth in studio apartments, and provides an environment designed to nurture growth, foster community, and develop essential life skills. 

The updated facility includes a teaching kitchen, fitness room, laundry facilities, a communal lounge, and an outdoor courtyard with a garden, barbeque, and firepit, all of which offers youth a welcoming and supportive home as they build their futures. 

In 2024, we officially copyrighted our anti-human trafficking toolkit, Pivoting Practice: Building Capacity to Serve Youth Impacted by Trafficking. This comprehensive resource reflects our commitment to addressing the needs of youth affected by, or at risk of, human trafficking. 

We are actively exploring ways to expand our support systems, to ensure that every young person impacted by trafficking receives the care, protection, and opportunities that they deserve. 

Covenant House Vancouver extends our gratitude to you. Your generosity has empowered us to adapt, grow, and continue to provide vital support to resilient young individuals, which they justly deserve. Together, we are breaking the cycle of homelessness, to ensure that these challenges are but a fleeting chapter in their incredible stories. We eagerly anticipate the launch of the expanded Rights of Passage program, to further our mission of providing sanctuary, guidance, and a sense of belonging to more young people.