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:

1. overnight shelter;
2. drop-in day programming; and
3. 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.

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 develop supported, stable housing for 19+ youth.

We are in the beginning stages of planning for this project and expect more information to be made available as we move forward.

We hope to see you again on February 28^th, 2026.

The Coldest Night of the Year is a moment when tens of thousands of Canadians step outside the warmth and comfort of home and shine a light of welcome and inclusion. We are very excited that the CMHA Cowichan Valley Branch is partnering with the Blue Sea Foundation to participate annually in the Coldest Night of the Year (CNOY). Our first event was held on February 26, 2022. 

In partnership with the Blue Sea Foundation, we're collecting donations that fund critical services to supports vulnerable families and individuals in our community.

•  We walk through the cold and dark to declare our concern for people who have no home and take shelter in nooks and crannies.

•  We walk for those whose days are a battle to house and feed their families and whose nights are filled with fear and frustration.

•  We walk for those driven from home by violence and abuse. And we walk for people overwhelmed by isolation, guilt, and despair.

•  We walk humbly, realizing that anyone can lose their footing and then lose everything else.

Each step we take brings someone closer to safety, health and home, as together, we raise funds for to transform peoples’ lives.

Funds raised will support CMHA Cowichan Valley's safe spaces and programs for homeless youth.

CNOY is something special - it’s fun, meaningful, and a little challenging. CMHA Cowichan Valley Branch is also something special, and our work and service in the community are essential. 

We need your help to make this happen!

In December of each year, we begin recruiting sponsors, volunteers, team captains and walkers. Teams of walkers can include corporate, community, sports or other teams - or families and groups of friends that want to support family members or friends that have struggled with mental health. There are so many options and the potential impact to the community is great.

Please consider joining us by supporting this great event.