Honour House will be built in 2010 providing temporary rental housing for Veterans, first responders and their families, who have to come to Vancouver and surrounding areas for treatment and recuperation. In addition to temporary housing, Honour House will offer two transitional programs namely; Reserve Re-entry Program with BCIT, and the UBC/RCL Veterans Transition Program.
Winch House at Chelsea Gardens opens November 6th 2009. It is a temporary residential facility for members of the Canadian Forces returning from overseas duties and requiring medical care in Vancouver.
Canadian troops have served in Afghanistan since 2002, with more than 25,000 men and women having completed at least one tour of duty. Over 130 Canadians have been killed in this conflict and more than 1,100 have been injured. For those returning home, we recognize that returning to civilian life can be full of both physical and psychological challenges and a soldier may very well need counselling or hospitalization.
At present, there is no suitable residential facility in Vancouver to accommodate Veterans or their families who may require temporary housing in the Vancouver area while they receive the help they need. Winch House will provide our young veterans a temporary home where they and their loved ones can receive the care to come all the way back home.
Inspired by Honour House Society, whose vision is to establish a local, multi-unit residence for our armed forces veterans and first responders, New Chelsea Society is dedicating a residential unit for this same purpose. This new facility will bridge the gap until Honour House is ready and will further compliment the Honour House facility by providing housing for larger families who may require a lengthier stay in the City of Vancouver during counselling.
BCIT Reserve Re-entry Program
BCIT is working with RUSI to design a skill assessment credit program which will recognize military knowledge, skills, aptitudes and training relevant to a civilian career. It includes an investigation into whether military training can be translated into block credits which meet civilian post-secondary equivalencies.
UBC/RCL Veterans Transition Program
This is a group-based peer counseling program designed to assist former members of the Canadian Forces and the RCMP in their transition to life as a civilian. Professionally facilitated by the University of British Columbia and the University of Victoria the course provides information and teaches skills to participants who are attempting to better understand their military experience as it relates to impacts upon their lives. It also provides participants with the opportunity to engage in action-based ways of managing trauma-related stress as a result of military service. This course is free of charge, sponsored by The Royal Canadian Legion, BC/Yukon Command.
Temporary Accommodation Program
Vancouver hoteliers have generously agreed to provide free accommodation to the families of our Troops and first responders who may require a place to stay before Honour House is operational.
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