In 2008, the United Nations General Assembly designated August 19 as World Humanitarian Day to commemorate the bombing of the Canal Hotel in Baghdad, Iraq, on August 19, 2003, which killed 22 humanitarian aid workers.
Each year, World Humanitarian Day focuses on a theme while bringing partners together from across the humanitarian system to advocate for the survival, well-being, and dignity of all people who are affected by crises, as well as for the safety and security of aid workers.
The theme for 2024 is #ActForHumanity. At Covenant House Vancouver (CHV), we take action for humanity by engaging in humanitarian efforts at the global level through our work with the United Nations General Assembly, and at the local level through our partnerships and programs.
Serving Humanity on a Global Level
In the fall of 2023, Covenant House Vancouver joined with community leaders from across Western Canada to share our experiences with the United Nations Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of slavery, Professor Tomoya Obokata.
CHV’s Chief Program and Impact Officer, Chelsea Minhas, explains the purpose of the meeting: “This group spoke to the experience of sex and labour trafficking along with systemic inequity that places youth at risk.”
The Special Rapporteur concluded their Canada tour with a list of recommendations, the most notable being a call for guaranteed access to adequate and affordable housing for all without discrimination of any kind.
Serving Humanity at the Local Level
At Covenant House Vancouver, we are committed to serving all youth with relentless support, absolute respect, and unconditional love; to helping youth who are experiencing homelessness; and to protecting and safeguarding all youth in need.
In Canada, as many as 40,000 youth face homelessness each year.
Crisis Program
Youth between the ages of 16 and 24 who are experiencing homelessness, or who are at risk of homelessness, can access housing and wraparound services, in a safe, supportive, inclusive environment through our Crisis Program.
Through this program, CHV provides a safe place for youth to sleep, eat nutritious food, shower, and secure warm clothing.
Youth can stay in our Crisis Program for as long as they need to. We know that there is no one-size-fits-all solution to getting back on their feet again so we’re here to provide the support that they need for as long as they need it.
Rights of Passage Program
Our Rights of Passage program provides young people with safe, affordable housing as they transition to independent living. Youth can live in their own furnished apartment until they turn 25 while accessing 24-hour staff support, acquiring essential life skills, and receiving support to help them maintain employment or develop an educational plan, among many other services.
It Takes a Village
But Covenant House Vancouver couldn’t provide these services for youth without your generous help and the assistance of the entire community. There are many ways you can get involved and make a positive difference in the lives of youth who are experiencing homelessness, such as by:
- Making a one-time gift or a monthly donation
- Giving in memory of a loved one
- Giving in honour of someone you care about
- Signing up for Sleep Out with your organization
Other Ways You Can Give:
- Have a conversation with your friends, family, and colleagues about the challenges of homelessness that youth face
- Advocate for change in your community by contacting your elected officials about the issue of homelessness among youth
- Make a donation of food or the things youth are most in need of to CHV
- For more meaningful ways to donate, check out our Donate Items page!
Give the Gift of You!
And last, but not least, you can get involved personally by sharing your special skills and talents as a volunteer at Covenant House Vancouver. From tutoring to assisting with kitchen services to leading an excursion, we have a variety of volunteer positions that offer unique ways to give the precious gift of you.
For more information about volunteering at CHV, please contact the volunteer team at volunteer@covenanthousebc.org.
We can’t do the critical life-saving work we do at Covenant House Vancouver without the support of the community.
Thank you for being there for youth when they need a hand up towards a brighter future.