Victoria Cool Aid Society

10/05/2026

When Sharon first came to our Rock Bay Landing shelter, three steady meals a day gave her the footing she needed to stabilize, rebuild, and eventually move into permanent seniors housing.

Today, she bakes for her neighbours to pass that feeling forward: “It’s how I give back. People smile. They feel like someone sees them.”

That sense of belonging can start with something as simple as a nutritious meal. At Rock Bay, a meal is often the most reliable, grounding part of someone’s day—offering companionship and basic dignity when things feel uncertain.

This Thanksgiving, $5 covers a complete meal—hot soup, a sandwich, fresh fruit, and coffee—for someone walking through our doors.

A meal doesn’t solve homelessness overnight, but it can open the door to long-term stability.

coolaid.org/donate

10/02/2026

We did it! The Crosstown Capital Campaign is complete!

Thanks to everyone who attended and supported Cool Aid's second annual Health & Homecoming Gala last weekend. We raised more than $200,000 that night, officially hitting our $3.6 million goal to fund and open the Dr. Joe Haegert Community Health Centre!

With our generous sponsors and Zeffy covering 100% of event and transaction costs, every single dollar went straight to the clinic.

Because of you, the doors are open and the centre will provide a barrier-free safe space for 3,500 people with complex, often overlapping medical needs.

A massive thank you to our presenting sponsor Helen Edwards, speaker Jane Dewing, and the incredible donors, bidders, volunteers, staff, and committee members who made this decade-in-the-making dream a reality.

Thank you for showing up for our community!

10/01/2026

“We see people on a fixed income. People who worked hard but never saved up much, and now they’re injured and can’t work. People who were in hospital and lost their housing. People who shouldn’t be on their own all the time. People who made lots of money back in the day and couldn’t have imagined being in the situation they’re in now.”

Lauren Spears, Cool Aid Housing & Shelters Manager

This , we are shedding light on a critical issue in Greater Victoria: 1 in 4 people experiencing homelessness is a senior and at Cool Aid, nearly 60% of our supportive housing residents are seniors.

Everyone deserves a safe, stable place to age with dignity.

09/30/2026

As we approach September 30th, the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, we feel it important to affirm Victoria Cool Aid Society’s commitment to being in right relation with the Indigenous communities on whose territory we deliver our services, namely the Lekwungen speaking peoples - Songhees and Xʷsepsəm/Esquimalt Nations, and the W̱SÁNEĆ Peoples, as well as affirm our commitment to decolonizing services and delivering culturally safe care.

Because this day was created in response to Indian Residential Schools and the harm caused by that system of cultural genocide, it is important to recognize the direct and intergenerational trauma that these institutions created for First Nations and its lasting effects.

We know the onus is on those of us who are settlers, and the path has been laid in the words of Honorable Justice Murray Sinclair: “We have described for you a mountain, we have shown you the path to the top. We call upon you to do the climbing.”

I have every belief that we can do this climbing together, as an organization that holds the people we serve at the heart of all we do.

09/29/2026

As September comes to an end, so does Recovery Month.

But recovery doesn’t end when the month does. It’s an everyday process — for the 20 men at Johnson Manor and for people in recovery everywhere.

At Johnson Manor, that can mean finding work, reconnecting with family and community, managing challenges, and figuring out what comes next. Some days are harder than others, but each day brings another opportunity to stick with it.

We’re grateful to be part of the everyday work happening at Johnson Manor, and we have deep respect for everyone who keeps choosing recovery, day after day.

09/25/2026

🚨 ONLY 1 DAY LEFT 🚨

Until tomorrow, Saturday, September 26th, at 8:00 PM, you can bid on incredible experiences and items generously provided by our amazing community partners.

Whether you're eyeing the Tofino Luxury Escape at the Wickaninnish Inn, a private Salish Sea Sailing adventure aboard the Crescent Moon, or a beautiful Harbourfront Haven staycation right here in Victoria, there’s something for everyone!

Best of all? Every single bid directly supports the completion of the new Dr. Joe Haegert Community Health Centre, ensuring accessible, barrier-free care for people in need.

👉 Place your bids now:

Support the Dr. Joe Haegert Community Health Centre. Bid now.Every bid goes directly toward opening the doors to barrier-free, trauma-informed health care for…

09/23/2026

We couldn’t put on the Health + Homecoming Gala without the support of our community partners.

A sincere thank you to Odlum Brown Community and Brad Dovey, Peninsula Co-op, Coastal Community Credit Union, Hotel Grand Pacific, and Maximum Express for helping make the night happen.

We’re grateful to have you with us, and we’re looking forward to celebrating a great evening with you.

Haven’t got your tickets yet? There’s still time but they're going fast!
coolaid.org/gala

09/21/2026

🎉 The Health + Homecoming Online Auction is OFFICIALLY LIVE! 🎉

From now until Saturday, September 26th at 8:00 PM, you can bid on incredible experiences and items generously provided by our amazing community partners.

Whether you're eyeing the Tofino Luxury Escape at the Wickaninnish Inn, a private Salish Sea Sailing adventure aboard the Crescent Moon, or a beautiful Harbourfront Haven staycation right here in Victoria, there’s something for everyone!

Best of all? Every single bid directly supports the completion of the new Dr. Joe Haegert Community Health Centre, ensuring accessible, barrier-free care for people in need.

👉 Place your bids now: www.coolaid.org/gala

(P.S. Tickets for the in-person Gala on Sept 26th at the Hotel Grand Pacific are selling fast! Secure your spot via the link above to help us cross the finish line).

09/17/2026

Last week, we officially opened the Dr. Joe Haegert Community Health Centre at Crosstown — a milestone made especially meaningful by the people who helped bring Joe’s vision to life.

Joe’s wife, Jane, spoke about his deep commitment to caring for people who have too often been overlooked. His son, Dr. Joe Haegert Jr., shared stories of his dad and the values - dignity, compassion, and respect - that shaped his own career in medicine.

The Dr. Joe Centre adds another important piece to Cool Aid’s continuum of care, complementing our Johnson St. community health centre and our mobile health outreach, powered by TELUS Health.

Thank you to everyone who joined us to celebrate this special opening — and to and to our partners at Island Health and everyone who helped us get here.

09/15/2026

Strong communities start with a safe place to call home.

Alongside our partners in the Vancouver Island Housing Leadership Network (VIHLN), Victoria Cool Aid Society is calling on all municipal candidates across the region to sign the Homes For All People Pledge.

Stable, supported homes are the foundation for health, connection, and thriving neighbourhoods. We are asking local candidates to commit to:
🏠 Supportive housing as essential community infrastructure
🏠 Protection of existing affordable, supportive, and transitional housing
🏠 Continued municipal leadership on housing

We need local leadership that protects the progress our community has made and ensures no one is left behind.

Candidates interested in signing can contact [email protected].