Local resources by category

We do our best to keep this list up-to-date, but check in as well with BC211 for current listings of social services, including connection to 211 navigators to help you find the services you need. 

Health care

AVI Health and Community Services AVI increases health equity by providing highly responsive, harm reduction-based HIV, hepatitis C, substance use, sexual health, mental health, and other community health services, and is informed by the voices of people with living experience. 3rd Floor — Access Health Centre 713 Johnson St, Victoria BC V8W 1M8. Call 250–384-2366.

Cool Aid Community Health Centre provides primary care through a successful multi-disciplinary, trauma-informed model. Expertise in hepatitis C, HIV, opioid agonist therapy, and complex mental health care. Our doctors and nurses are world leaders in hep C and HIV research. 713 Johnson Street, Victoria, 250–385-1466 or email medicalreception@coolaid.org . Check first to see if the centre is accepting new patients.

Cool Aid Dental Clinic has a full range of compassionate, accessible dental care, including hygiene, fillings, extractions, root canals, and dentures. The clinic sees more than 5,000 patients with low income each year. 101–749 Pandora Street, Victoria,  250–383-1977.

Crisis Response Community Led Victoria is a Peer Assisted Care Team Model operated by AVI Health and Community Services, providing care on the territories of the Lək̓ʷəŋən peoples, the Songhees and Xwsepsum Nations, and the WSÁNEĆ Nations. Its response teams include individuals with lived/living experience and mental health professionals. It focuses on health, well-being, and community support and is available 7:30 a.m. to 12:30 a.m., 7 days a week. If you or someone you know in Victoria is experiencing a crisis, call the CRCL Team at 250–818-2454.

HealthLink BC 811 Phone Line Free information from knowledgeable health care professionals available to answer your questions. Find help with a variety of health topics or information about health services in B.C. Translation services are available in over 130 languages. Dial 8–1‑1.

HerWay Home Non-judgmental health care and social supports for pregnant and parenting women who have a history of substance use and may also be affected by mental health issues, violence and trauma. 211–547 Michigan Street, 250–519-3681, email herwayhome@islandhealth.ca

Intimate Partner Violence and Brain Injury (Cridge Centre for the Family) provides individualized support to women who are survivors of intimate partner violence and have received brain injuries from their partners. Services mirror the community-based brain injury services already available but don’t require a formal diagnosis to access this program. 250–479-3963

Prescribed Alternatives (AVI) provides prescribed pharmaceutical alternatives to the unregulated drug supply to prevent and reduce the incidence of ‘overdose’/drug poisoning, with clinics in Victoria, Nanaimo, Comox Valley and Campbell River. Call the AVI info line for more at 1–800-665‑2437

Rapid Access Addiction Clinic helps individuals with opioid and/or alcohol use disorders. Individuals with opioid use disorder receive support for starting and maintaining opioid agonist treatment (OAT). Individuals with alcohol use disorders receive medical support depending on their needs. Clients receive short-term, individualized services to stabilize before moving to longer-term community services, including primary care providers. 1119 Pembroke St., Victoria, 250–519-3776

The Harbour Supervised Consumption Site is an Island Health facility with 10 consumption booths and an indoor inhalation space, a waiting/reception and post-use areas, as well as a mental health counselling room, a nurse clinic room and a medication room and is open 6:30 am to 8:00 pm, seven days per week. 941 Pandora Avenue, Victoria.

Victoria Mental Health and Substance Use (Island Health) provides a single access point for individuals seeking adult mental health and substance use services in Greater Victoria. Self-refer by booking an appointment with intake team at 250–519-3485 or be referred by clinicians, community agencies, or health and social services professionals.

Victoria Street Nurse Program provides medical outreach services to street-involved clients in the Greater Victoria area including communicable disease testing and treatment, harm reduction education and supplies, and basic health care services including referrals to appropriate community resources. Operates out of Victoria Health Unit, 1947 Cook Street, Victoria, Tuesdays through Fridays, 250–361-7056.

Housing, food and harm reduction

Aboriginal Coalition to End Homelessness has a sole focus on supporting First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples experiencing homelessness. The work of the ACEH is guided by the voices of Indigenous Street Family who share their immediate needs, lived experiences, and perspectives on solutions. Call 778–405-5259 or for outreach, 778–678-6301.

AVI Harm Reduction Services Provides harm reduction supplies in Victoria, Nanaimo, Comox Valley and Campbell River. Click on website for hours and locations of each site.

BC Housing Registry Subsidized housing providing long-term housing for people who permanently reside in British Columbia. Rental fees are calculated on an income basis (30% of household total gross income, subject to minimum rent based on # of people) for those who are eligible.

BC Housing Affordable Rental Housing Affordable rental housing is for people who have a low-to-moderate income but may not be eligible for subsidized housing. Search and apply for affordable housing such as co-operatives with Housing Listings.

Cool Aid Emergency Homeless Shelters (Rock Bay Landing, 535 Ellice Street, rbl@coolaid.org; Sandy Merriman women’s shelter, 809 Burdett Ave., 250–480-1408; Next Steps transitional shelter, requires referral from Rock Bay Landing or Sandy Merriman staff) Cool Aid’s emergency homeless shelters are an entry point and a place to stabilize for those leaving homelessness and seeking long-term, supportive, or affordable market housing.

Downtown Housing Outreach Resource Services (Pacifica Housing) drop-in centre that offers advocacy and support navigating complex housing and government assistance applications, connecting with community resources, and finding suitable vacancies for individuals and families that are currently homeless, or at risk of homelessness. 826 Cormorant Street, Victoria, 250–385-2131.

M’akola Housing Society provides safe, affordable and appropriate homes primarily for Indigenous people and families. Through community partnerships and funders, M’akola is able to provide subsidized housing, affordable rentals and assisted living units throughout most of British Columbia. Housing applications: applications@makola.bc.ca or call 1–877-384‑1423 ext. 1

Mustard Seed Food Bank  The food bank’s mission is to ensure that anyone in need of food can access the groceries they need without feeling shame, guilt or fear. Street cafe every third Saturday of the month. Food bank hours daily 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. 625 Queens Ave.

Our Place Society serves Greater Victoria’s most vulnerable, including people struggling with homelessness, mental health challenges, substance use issues, the working poor, LGBTQ+, and impoverished elderly. Our Place provides over 1,400 meals every day, and has 500+ units of housing plus transitional shelter spaces, hot showers, education, job skills, health care, addiction recovery services, donated clothing, counseling, outreach services, and more. 919 Pandora Avenue, Victoria, 250–388-7112

Rainbow Kitchen provides free hot meals and facilitates food sharing to anyone in need, no questions asked. Hot meals available weekdays starting 8:30 a.m. until food runs out. Food-sharing available 8 a.m.-1 p.m. weekdays. 500 Admirals Road, Esquimalt.

Red Cedar Cafe started in April 2020 on the stolen and unceded territory of the Songhees, Lək̓ ʷəŋən and WSANEC peoples as a response to the Covid-19 pandemic and the systemic inequalities that it exacerbated. Pay-what-you-can frozen meals available to order every Thursday at 5 p.m. Regular opening hours are Mondays and Fridays, 10 a.m. to noon. 1900 Douglas Street.

SOLID Outreach Society Diverse range of services provided by and for people with lived experience of substance use include harm reduction, supervised consumption, shelters and transitional housing. 1056 North Park Street, Victoria, (250) 298‑9497.

Substance Drug Checking Free and confidential drug checking program in Victoria using multiple drug checking instruments to determine a sample’s main active ingredients, fillers or cutting agents, any unexpected drugs, and the presence of fentanyl. In-person services and results on the spot in as little as 30 minutes, with busier days having an estimated turnaround time of 1–2 hours. 1802 Cook Street, Mon-Fri 12–7 p.m. (last sample collected 6:30 p.m.)

Transition House for Women Fleeing Violence (Cridge Centre for the Family) provides a safe place for women with or without children fleeing violence or abuse in their homes. Connect to supportive transitional housing as well, call 250–479-3963.

Umbrella Society provides a broad range of appropriate and connected community supports to those affected by substance use and co-occurring mental health challenges, with services including housing, counselling, group work, and drop-in group. 2675 Bridge Street, Victoria, 250–380-0595

Counselling and other support services

1Up Single Parent Resource Centre provides counselling, mentorship, and practical support (including clothing room, bread pantry, free toy and book room, househood goods exchange) for one-parent families. 4460 West Saanich Road (Royal Oak Plaza), Broadmead.  250–385-1114,  info@1‑up.ca

24-hour Women’s Crisis Line Vancouver Rape Relief and Women’s Shelter operates a transition house in Vancouver for women and their children and a 24-hour rape crisis line for women who are trying to prevent or escape male violence. Services are free and confidential. 604–872-8212

Citizens Counselling Centre offers quality, affordable counselling for individuals, couples and groups. 941 Kings Road, 250–384-9934

Esquimalt Neighbourhood House offers barrier-free and free of charge counselling for Greater Victoria adults. Tailored to individual needs and includes talking, relationship building, crisis intervention, accompaniment and advocacy.  Find help coping with anxiety, depression, trauma, safety, abuse, stress, hopelessness, grief/loss and isolation. 511 Constance Avenue, 250–385-2635.

Kuu-us Crisis Line Society BC-wide toll-free crisis and support line. 1–800-588‑8717

Men’s Therapy Centre Counselling, victim services and more for men who have experienced trauma. 301‑3491 Saanich Road, Saanich, 250–381-6367, info@menstherapycentre.ca

REES Support Centre (Cool Aid Society) The Resource, Education, Employment and Support Centre is a safe, welcoming, and supportive space that provides drop-in access to phones and computers, peer support, socialization, information on and referral to community resources and recovery-focused services, assistance with resume preparation, and more. Open Mon-Fri 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m., 465 Swift Street, Victoria.

Soap for Hope distributes hygiene items (soap, shampoo, conditioner, body lotion, body wash, toothpaste, toothbrush, deodorant, feminine products, razors, among other essentials) and linens (sheets, towels, blankets, pillows, pillowcases, and more) across BC and Alberta through community facilities. The network serves children and seniors, low-income families, refugees, Indigenous communities, homeless people and those living in evacuation centers for fires and floods. 426b William Street, Victoria, 250–590-1462

Vancouver Island Crisis Line provides 24 hour crisis support and directs people to appropriate resources. Call 1–888-494‑3888

Victoria Disability Resource Centre is a cross-disability, grassroots, not-for-profit organization run by and for persons with disabilities. The centre works closely with people who have a disability and with other community organizations to find and remove barriers that prevent full participation in life. 817A Fort Street, 250–595-0044

Victoria Sexual Assault Centre has a mission to support, empower and advocate for women and all [trans] survivors of sexual assault and childhood sexual abuse. Regardless of when the assault occurred, the centre supports you in your healing journey and serves as a liaison between individuals affected by sexual violence, the justice and medical systems and community services. 201‑3060 Cedar Hill Road, 250–383-3232

Victoria Women’s Transition House collaborates, advocates and educates to address and prevent intimate partner violence of women and children through supportive shelter, housing, counselling and other community-based services. 100‑3060 Cedar Hill Road, Victoria, 250–592-2927, contact@vwth.bc.ca  24 HOUR CRISIS LINE: 250–385-6611

Culture-based services

Inter-cultural Association of Greater Victoria supports the full integration of newcomer immigrants and refugees into the social, economic and civic life of the Capital Region of British Columbia. 102–808 Douglas Street, Victoria, 250–388-4728

Oasis Society works to inspire, empower and reconnect Indigenous people impacted by homelessness, fostering a sense of belonging in a caring, inclusive and culturally appropriate community. It hosts events that encourage connection to self, others, extended family, nature, elders and ceremony. 102‑1814 Vancouver St., Victoria, executivedirector@oasisvic.org

Victoria Immigrant and Refugee Centre helps immigrants, refugees and new Canadian citizens to settle and adapt into their new lives in the Greater Victoria Region. 1004 North Park Street, Victoria, 250–361-9433, clientservices@vircs.bc.ca

Victoria Native Friendship Centre provides support and services for urban Indigenous people, including employment services, shelter, primary care, health and social programs, arts and cultural practices, and more. 231 Regina Avenue, Victoria, 250–384-3211

Advocacy

ACPD (Action Committee for People with Disabilities) Provides advocacy to people with disabilities, support and assistance to ensure full participation in community and society in general, and information enabling people to access services to which they are entitled. 948 View Street, Victoria, 250–383-4105 or email actioncommittee@shaw.ca

Pivot Legal Society works in partnership with marginalized people and grassroots organizations to challenge legislation, policies, and practices that undermine human rights, intensify poverty, and perpetuate stigma. It strategically focuses efforts on the most tangible human rights in order to improve the immediate situation of the people we work with, while creating lasting change that resonates across the country. Based in Vancouver,  604–255-9700

Together Against Poverty Society (TAPS) specializes in providing rights-based information and legal advocacy services and now has offices in Victoria, 828 View Street, 250–361-3521; and Nanaimo, 502–495 Dunsmuir Street, 250–824-0995

Vancouver Island PWA Society the only peer based HIV/AIDS organization on Vancouver Island, providing peer support, Peer Navigation, education and treatment information to persons living with HIV/AIDS since 1991. A non-profit, member-based organization made up of HIV+ and HepC co-infected people with a volunteer Board of Directors, all of whom are living with HIV/AIDS. 1120 Yates Street, Victoria, 250.382.7927

Employment and employment-related support

Bridges for Women Counselling, employment, mentorship. Programs help to guide individuals to identify their interests, strengths and skills, develop long-term career and personal goals through group-based programs, counselling, academic upgrading and mentorship.  219–645 Fort Street, Victoria, 250–385-7410

WorkBC Centres — employment services and workshops for job seekers and employers

Local Youth Resources

BGC South Vancouver Island (formerly Boys and Girls Club) provides a safe, supportive place where children, youth, and families can experience new opportunities, overcome barriers, build positive relationships, and develop confidence and skills for life. 301‑1195 Esquimalt Road, Esquimalt, 250–384-9133

Foundry Victoria offers young people 12–24 access to mental health and substance use support, primary care, peer support and social services. 546 Yates Street, Victoria, 250–383-3552.

**Foundry West Shore and Sooke opens in 2026 and will deliver integrated services for youth and young people aged 12–24 and their families as far north as Port Renfrew.

Kids Help Phone provides 24 hour, free, anonymous, and confidential counseling services to youth. Call 1–800-668‑6868 or text 686868

Pandora Youth Apartments Transitional housing program provides safe and affordable housing to eight youth at a time, ages 15 to 19, who may be experiencing social isolation, poverty, substance use, or trauma. Community-oriented environment, with each youth having their own bachelor unit.  Call 250–380-2663, email pya@vancouverislandy.ca

RiseUP! Youth Employment provides employment services to youth aged 15 to 25 who are facing barriers to employment.  Call first to check if accepting applications at that time, 250–889-3743.

Threshold Housing provides housing, recovery and wraparound supports for youth (16–21). 1524 Fort Street, 250–383-8830, assist@thresholdhousing.ca

Victoria Child Abuse Prevention and Counselling Centre provides accessible, collaborative, inclusive and timely prevention, advocacy and counselling service for children, youth and caregivers affected by abuse, with commitment to engagement with diverse communities in the Greater Victoria region. 101‑1208 Wharf Street, Victoria, 250–385-6111.

Victoria Youth Empowerment Program provides services for youth and their family/caregivers throughout the Capital Region. Call 250–383-3514 or for the Kiwanis Emergency Shelter, 250–386-8282

Canadian & International Resources for Sex Workers

**New! The Canadian Alliance for Sex Work Law Reform has put together infosheets on five aspects of the new laws governing sex work in Canada that took effect at the end of 2014.

Canadian Alliance for Sex Work Law Reform is an alliance between Canadian sex worker and allied groups, organizations and individuals fighting for reform of Canadian’s prostitution laws.

Chez Stella Stella’s primary mission is to improve the quality of life and working conditions for sex workers who identify as women either in the context of their sex work or in their personal lives, to educate the greater public on the different ways that sex work happens as well as about our lived experiences as sex workers, so that sex workers might also enjoy and benefit from the same rights to safety and security that are commonplace for other people.

Desiree Alliance is an American sex work alliance.

FIRST is a coalition of feminists who support the rights of sex workers and advocate for decriminalization.

Maggie’s Toronto Sex Workers Action Project is a Toronto-based sex work advocacy group and resource centre.

New Zealand Sex Workers Collective advocates for the human rights, health and well-being of all sex workers.

NSWP (Global Network of Sex Work Projects) conducts a mix of pro-active and re-active policy advocacy to support human rights and evidence based approaches to female, male and transgendered sex workers and strengthening sex worker communities.

Pace Society is a Vancouver non-profit that works by, with and for sex workers.

Shift is a Calgary-based program that provides support to adults currently or previously engaged in sex work. Shift uses a rights-based approach to sex work, recognizing that sex work is a choice for many and respecting the rights of adults to make this choice.

Wish Drop-In Centre Society in Vancouver provides outreach services and resources to female survival sex workers.