The CMHA Cowichan Valley Branch (CMHACVB) has been raising funds since 2022 to provide a safe place and shelter for vulnerable youth in the Cowichan Valley. Last year, we were able to put a down payment on a house on Hemlock Street in Duncan and begin transforming the home into our Youth Emergency Shelter (YES). These funds (over $250,000) were a direct result of our Coldest Night of the Year fundraising efforts. The Cowichan YES is the second program of its kind in BC.
In addition to the funds from the Coldest Night of the Year campaigns and funding from the Province of BC for ongoing operational costs such as staffing, the Mischa Weisz Foundation donated another $450,000. That donation allowed CMHA-CVB to pay off the mortgage and to purchase a van to provide outreach to youth in Duncan and outlying communities within the Cowichan Valley Regional District (CVRD). This significant legacy donation will help transform the lives of some of the most vulnerable young people in the Cowichan Valley.
Recognizing with respect that YES Cowichan is located on Quw'utsun lands, and for the generous donation by the Mischa Weisz Foundation, the name Mischa Lelum has been chosen to recognize both the legacy of Mischa Weisz and because “Lelum” is a fitting Hulqiminum word meaning home. Mischa Lelum is located at 180 Hemlock St in Duncan.
Youth aged 15 to 18 years who are in crisis, or at risk of harm or homelessness will have supports delivered by Mischa Lelum. This program will provide critical connections and will be available day and night for youth in need. Currently there are 3 bedrooms available. Safe accommodation is accessible on a voluntary basis for up to two weeks at a time. In addition to wrap around supports, the shelter will provide shower facilities, laundry, kitchen and sleeping spaces.
Several youth who have visited Mischa Lelum have echoed the essence of the program’s purpose. “Wow, this is a house, and it feels like a home” – youth aged 16. Another youth noted the comfort of the bedrooms. “I can come and stay in a real bedroom with a real bed, some of the beds are huge.” - youth aged 17. Another excited youth commented on the program’s amenities by joyfully exclaiming, “You have a gym in here? When can I use it?”
The Mischa Lelum Youth Emergency Shelter on Hemlock St is a 24/7 therapeutic community-based crisis service that provides a temporary safe placement (1 to 14 days) for youth that are experiencing homelessness, unstable/precarious living situations, crisis within their family/caregiver setting, have experienced a placement crisis/breakdown, or are in need of a temporary placement and support services. Mischa Lelum consists of three essential elements in its service continuum:
- overnight shelter;
- drop-in day programming; and
- outreach services.
Community partners are working together to ensure youth accessing Mischa Lelum receive the resources and assistance they require. Youth will be involved in the design and implementation to ensure it fits their needs. We are excited to share a few photos below of Mischa Lelum.
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So what’s next? Why continue fundraising? What happens to youth once they are 19? That’s where the next few years of Coldest Night fundraising comes in. We invite you to help us develop transitional housing for youth. Our goal will be to find and purchase a suitable building in the Cowichan Valley that will house both our Youth Drop-In Centre downstairs (presently located on Festubert St and not in an ideal space) and provide transitional housing for 19+ youth upstairs.
We are in the beginning stages of planning for this project and expect more information to be made available as we move forward.