Our Story

Our Story

Covenant House Vancouver is a non-profit organization that provides support to young people, age 16–24, who are experiencing, or at risk of, homelessness, youth who are experiencing human trafficking, and youth in need.

Our mission is champion every young person’s right to health and well-being. Our continuum of programs and services supports youth on their journey to dream of a brighter future. We take a one-size-fits-one approach to care and provide support that is tailored to each individual’s specific needs and goals.

We incorporate evidence-based practices to ensure that we care for the whole person — mind, body, and spirit. We are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days of the year.

TIMELINE

1997

  • Covenant House Vancouver opens its doors as a branch of Covenant House Toronto. Young people sleep on the steps of the front door before we are even open. We are full the first night.

1998

  • Covenant House Vancouver becomes it own society and Fred Cadham is appointed the first Board Chair.

1999

  • A Capital Campaign to purchase and renovate 575 Drake Street begins.
  • The campaign is kicked off by a $250,000 gift from Geoffrey and Shelagh Ballard.

2000

  • The Capital Campaign is completed – our Community Support Services area is enlarged and administrative offices are built

2001

  • Covenant House Vancouver assumes ownership and operation of the VanCity Place for Youth under leadership of new Board Chair, John Windsor

2002

  • We receive $1 million in capital funding from the Government of Canada to open Rights of Passage at 326 West Pender Street

2003

2006

  • Sandy Cooke retires as our first executive director and Krista Thompson is hired

2008

  • Premier Gordon Campbell and Minister Tom Christensen announced the Provincial Government’s gift of $5 million to support the expansion of our Crisis Program

2009

  • Expanded the Crisis Program from 22 to 54 beds. Renovated and expanded the Drop-In Space by 25%

2011

  • Began development of a long-term expansion of space and programs and completed the Strategic Learning Initiative.

2012

  • Had a 15% increase in attendance by young women in our Drop-In program after collaborating with the UBC Nursing Program
  • Instituted scholarship funding for 6 Rights of Passage youth

2015

  • Increased (200%) presence of young women and girls in our residential programs

2017

  • We presented at the House of Commons’ Standing Committee on Human Resources, Skills and Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities on poverty reduction strategies.

2018

  • Served 1,168 young people.
  • Trained staff regarding overdoses to manage the risks associated with illicit drug use.
  • Launched our Capital Expansion project to renovate, upgrade, and redesign our three building spaces.

2019

  • We completed of Phase One of our capital expansion project at 1302 Seymour St. Our Community Support Services (CSS) and female-identified Crisis Program moved into the custom-designed building.
  • Construction began for our 10-storey building which included more beds for our youth, fitness facilities, and art and music therapy rooms.

2020

  • Our frontline staff supported young people through COVID-19 and the Opioid Crisis. Thanks to our incredible donors, we did not have to reduce any of our youth programs and services in the pandemic.
  • After 13 years of service, Board Chair, Sean Muggah retired and we welcomed our new Board Chair Allan Seckel.
  • Introduced a new, five-year Strategic Plan focusing on: operational excellence, diversity and inclusion, partnering for impact, and employer branding.

2021

  • During the COVID-19 pandemic, the loss of employment and recreation opportunities, social isolation deeply impacted youth at CHV.
  • Conducted a case study on Harm Reduction to share how we are responding to the Opioid Crisis and supporting youth who are in active addiction.
  • Opened the new building at 1280 Seymour Street.
  • Partnered with Foundry for our new health clinic which will reduce barriers for youth seeking medical care.
  • Hired an Anti-Human Trafficking Coordinator who trained staff to improve our work with sexually exploited and trafficked youth.

2022

  • Announced our low-barrier, housing program, Sanctuary, to address the unique needs of youth in active addiction.

2023

  • Deb Lester joined as Chief Executive Officer
  • Opened our Foundations program in partnership with Vancouver Coastal Health and the Foundry (Granville) for youth who have identified that working on their substance use was their main goal.
  • Began renovations of 372 Pender Street for Rights of Passage to expand the capacity from 25 to 44 beds.

2024

  • Officially launched Sanctuary program
  • Extended Drop-In Centre hours resulting in the highest attendance in a decade
  • Introduced dog therapy to support youth. Youth can connect with a dog and enjoy therapeutic walks through the neighbourhood.
  • We officially copyrighted our anti-human trafficking toolkit, Pivoting Practice: Building Capacity to Serve Youth Impacted by Trafficking.