The Salvation Army is on the hunt for a new location for its Beacon of Hope House.
“We’ve looked at a lot of locations, but nothing has been secured, nothing has been signed yet,” said Kyla Ferns, Salvation Army public relations officer.
The six-bed, 90-day residential recovery facility for male youth opened in 2007 – the first of its kind for the organization in Canada. It provides counselling, life-skills training, addiction education, recreational outings and job-hunting support. Its stated aim is to break the cycle of homelessness and addiction for youth in the community.
Currently, there are three boys living in the house, though a fourth will be moving in shortly after going through detox. He will replace a recent graduate from the program, which is housed in the former rectory of St. Saviour’s Anglican Church in Vic West.
The Anglican Diocese of B.C. sold the property, including chapel, hall and rectory, to a private family in February. The Salvation Army’s lease for the rectory runs out in five months.
The new facility must have six bedrooms and space for two offices.
“We fully anticipate having a new location and all the proper licensing in time for us to move into it by the end of October,” Ferns said.
rholmen@vicnews.com
