Street Hope Victoria Update, Sept 2026

What is happening:

Over the past few months the City of Victoria’s bylaw department, has become much more aggressive in its efforts to “clean up” the downtown. Equipped with a much bigger budget, they have hired many more bylaw workers, who show up in militarized uniforms – flak jackets & all – accompanied by police, and proceed to tape off people’s belongings then forcibly remove them, on a daily basis. The increase in trauma, rage, and distress among our friends on the street is palpable. The compounding of harms sustained by the street community as a result of “street sweeps” is well documented. (See the recently published, The Bylaw State: Encampment Eviction and the Struggle for Public Space by AlexandraFlynn, available in the Greater Victoria Public Library, for an interesting read on the legal battle over public space.)

What’s coming up:

-Late September, the Vancouver Foundation will be announcing the results of the Transforming Systems Grant competition. Please pray for favour for Street Hope Victoria’s application.

-UVic and Camosun students are back in town and we appreciate the students joining with us in our Pandora outreach ministry, both the regular Tuesday nights, and their Thursday initiative, ‘Cocoa and Conversations’.

-We are still looking for a volunteer to take over the driving and storing of the carts we use for outreach on Pandora, as well as the loading and unloading of soup, sandwiches, drinks, and donations on Tuesday evenings. This is a weekly commitment, and requires a strong individual with a reliable vehicle and a secure, covered space where the carts can be dried out between use during the rainy season. Please spread the word and let us know if you are interested!

We invite prayer for:

-An outpouring of mercy, blessing, healing, and release from addiction for the community on Pandora Ave and throughout the CRD.

-Protection from harm for the vulnerable on the street and for wisdom and compassion from the city leaders.

-Protection for our outreach teams, all of whom are at risk of dangerous drug exposure (much elevated this past year due to widespread presence medetomidine in the drug supply.)

We are grateful to God for:

-The opportunity to serve our friends on the street on Pandora Avenue. We are blessed by the deepening of our relationships with many of them, for their deep, hard-won wisdom, and for the profound ways in which they reflect the heart of Christ.

-The generous provision that allows us to keep our ministry going and for all the faithful, compassionate volunteers who serve with us week after week.

We thank you for your steadfast support.