WE ARE
SHADES
shade /shād/
1 a: comparative darkness or obscurity produced when something blocks the light of the sun
b: relative obscurity or retirement
2 a: shelter (as by foliage)
3: a lingering image of something passing away : something that has become reduced almost to nothing
4 shades plural
a: the shadows that gather as darkness comes on
b: archaic NETHERWORLD, HADES
5 a: a disembodied spirit : GHOST
Photography - Darrell Craig
Our Mission
Who We Are
The mission of Shades (stylized: SHVDES) is to provide accessible, comprehensive, and current resource directories and advocacy for homeless and at-risk individuals and families in Victoria, BC. We aspire to connect vulnerable populations with vital services such as food,
shelter, healthcare, legal aid, and job training.
We believe in the value of dialogue concerning social issues in our community, and seek to encourage meaningful discussion about these complicated issues – promoting lived
experiences and challenging common perceptions of vulnerable individuals.
We believe that it is too easy to fall
into poverty, through circumstances often beyond the control of any single individual, and that effective coordination of existing resources is a critical step towards assisting those at risk to navigate difficult circumstances
towards a brighter future.
We believe in the value of effective action and tangible change in addressing a very real challenge faced by thousands in Victoria, every day.
Our plan for 2025 can be found here.
"Hope does not depart from us suddenly, and it had gradually dimmed over the course of the
day when I realized I was going to become homeless. I wasn’t addicted to drugs. I had worked
my entire adult life. It made no difference. Like many in British Columbia, I had been one bad
day away from poverty. My day arrived on an overcast weekend in autumn." - Erik S.
NOT JUST TALK
What We Do
SHVDES is dedicated to supporting homeless and vulnerable populations in Victoria through two key operational objectives:
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The creation, maintenance and distribution of accessible resource directories– online and offline - offering current information on local services and support networks.
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Promoting dialogue regarding homeless and vulnerable populations in Victoria to combat growing compassion fatigue and encourage lasting solutions to address not just the visibility of homelessness, but homelessness itself.
Photography - Darrell Craig
“It wouldn’t be until 22 years later that I finally found the courage to clean up. I was so lost and
discouraged. Looking back, I would have benefited from having access to a resource guide.
Over my time in addiction and recovery I have had many battles. I am a Street Photographer
living in Victoria. My hope is that my photography will start conversation, inspire change and to
give faces to an otherwise faceless population.” - Darrell C.
Photography - Darrell Craig
MAKING A DIFFERENCE
How We Do It
The mission of Shades (stylized: SHVDES) is to provide accessible, comprehensive, and current resource directories and advocacy for homeless and at-risk individuals and families in Victoria, BC. We aspire to connect vulnerable populations with vital services such as food,
shelter, healthcare, legal aid, and job training.
We believe in the value of dialogue concerning social issues in our community, and seek to encourage meaningful discussion about these complicated issues – promoting lived
experiences and challenging common perceptions of vulnerable individuals.
We believe that it is too easy to fall
into poverty, through circumstances often beyond the control of any single individual, and that effective coordination of existing resources is a critical step towards assisting those at risk to navigate difficult circumstances
towards a brighter future.