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Thank you Kia Victoria!

Last week, we gratefully received a large donation of socks from Kia Victoria. Socks are always needed and appreciated and we will ensure that they are delivered to our residents in our transitional housing sites lickety split, we know the residents will appreciate them!...
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BC Non-Profit Housing Conference

Umbrella was fortunate to have our Housing Coordinator Erik head over to Vancouver last week to attend the Housing Central annual conference. Umbrella was grateful to have received a bursary so we could send Erik for all three days. It was a whirlwind with a ton of infor...
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Camosun College Forum

Umbrella participated in Camosun College's forum on mental health, addictions and justice yesterday. Umbrella participates in this important forum annually and this year we were pleased Erik was representing Umbrella at this forum. Pictured below with Grant from Our Pla...
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Salt Spring Island

Yesterday Sharlene, Jake and Sarah headed over the Salt Spring Island to check out the latest site we are working at - Kings Lane. This site, made of storage containers, is home to about 7 folks right now, but slowly will be full with around 20. This space is surrounded ...
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Thank you Carole

Last night many gathered at the Victoria Conference Centre to share their thanks and say their goodbye's to Carole James. Yes, Carole retired awhile back, but that dreaded COVID got in the way of a proper goodbye. Sharlene and Bronwyn were among the many showed up to gi...
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Matching Managers

Looks like the boys all arranged to dress in plaid today. Those of us that dressed not in plaid did not get the memo! We've long said that plaid is Umbrella's uniform and today Jake, Evan and Blake were dressed accordingly!
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Chef Steve visits F-House

Last night at our weekly house meeting, the guys at Foundation House received a visit from Chef Steve. Steve joined the house meeting and shared his story and offered tips and tricks he has picked up along the way of his recovery journey. We also knew it was Steve's 10 ...
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Truth & Reconciliation Day

September 30 is Truth and Reconciliation Day. Umbrella will be closed so we can honour and remember all of the children who went to school and didn't come home, as well as their families who survived these atrocities. We at Umbrella are committed to do more toward real...
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Big Day at Umbrella!

Bronwyn has been with Umbrella for seven years, but today was her first day as a full time employee! We are very excited to have her join staff meetings, and see the fun things Umbrella does after 2pm, when she used to leave each day. As always, we celebrated with cake,...
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United Way Block Party

Today Sharlene and Kate spent the day on Government Street, manning the Umbrella table for the United Way block party. Umbrella and many other United Way funded organizations were set up to meet the community and each other. It was a great day and we met a lot of great ...