Community Programs

Q: People who have no money or no place to call home can feel hopeless in the eyes of society. How do Fred Victor community programs nurture hope?

Fred Victor community programs are there for people who are experiencing extreme difficulty in their lives. Program participants are individuals from many backgrounds and cultures with various levels of education and many strengths. Poverty and ill-health are the two characteristics they share.

Our community programs are practical.  We provide referrals to places where people can meet their basic needs — both within Fred Victor and in the larger health and social service community. 

We assist individuals to build on their strengths. We do this by creating programs where people can find their place, develop their talents and contribute their effort to the community.

Community members are actively involved in the design and delivery of community programs and are included in the decision-making process.

Brenda is one person who found our community programs a great benefit.

When Brenda first came to Fred Victor, she barely spoke.  She had lost everything in a divorce and had undergone serious surgery.  She was referred to Fred Victor for housing and encouraged to attend the Monday morning Arts Program. She was able to sell three of her paintings at the Art Program’s annual show and go on to develop tattoo art and obtain a license for selling art on the street.

She said:  “This place gives everyone self-worth.  The power of art is very real — there is no judging here.  Those who attend the Art Program look forward to it as the highlight of their week.”