Westminster House is a step closer to helping young women embarking on a path to recovery.
Patrick Robinson from Hockey Helps the Homeless recently dropped by Westminster House to present it with a $39,000 donation toward its new youth program. Hockey Helps the Homeless uses Canada’s affinity for hockey to raise awareness and financial support for the homeless through education and fundraising, and by partnering with solutions-based local homeless support agencies.
Westminster House has received city approval for a temporary use permit for 620 Third Ave., which allows it to offer a residential recovery program for up to four young women aged 16 to 18.
“With the support of the donors such as Patrick and Hockey Helps the Homeless, and our community who believes in the work we do, Westminster House will deliver this service and change the lives of our youth, changing the future. When youth are at risk, our future is at risk,” Susan Hogarth, executive director of Westminster House, said in an email to the Record. “Between January and December 2016, there were 922 illicit drug overdose deaths in B.C. – 12 of these deaths occurred in individuals aged 10 to 19.”
