Our newly renovated Rights of Passage (ROP) building is much more than a beautiful living space — and on October 17, donors got to see this for themselves, as we opened our doors for a closer look.
“This new space is so much more than just bricks and mortar. It represents hope, opportunity, and transformation,” said Covenant House CEO Deb Lester, in a heartfelt address to the crowd. “It will be filled with the energy of our dedicated staff, our volunteers, and most importantly, the young people that we serve here. We will create a nurturing environment where programming and support services will come together to change lives.”
Renovations wrapped up in the spring, with the facility officially opening in July and many of the building’s 44 suites are now occupied.
Although the four-storey building at 326 West Pender Street came out of a partnership between the federal and provincial governments, the City of Vancouver, and Covenant House Vancouver, 85% of Covenant House Vancouver’s funding comes from its community of supporters. The October 17 event was a wonderfully opportunity to thank our donors — 77 of whom attended — and show them the tangible results of their generosity in person.
ROP provides youth with safe, affordable, transitional housing, along with employment and education guidance, mental health support, mentorship, and more. As part of their orientation when moving into the building, they also receive instruction in valuable life skills, such as how to do laundry, clean their living spaces, use appliances, and follow food safety practices.
Touring the suites and walking the building’s freshly painted corridors, it’s easy to see how youth would feel at home here. The apartments are bright, breezy and comfortably furnished, with washrooms and kitchenettes.
The building’s private spaces feel like calm sanctuaries away from life’s strains and stresses, while communal areas — like a shared kitchen, TV lounge and fitness area — are geared to building bonds and community among resident residents. A beautiful outdoor courtyard on the second floor offers a protected space to socialize in the fresh air, under glowing string lights, youth can even roast marshmallows around a cozy fire pit.
During a short presentation at the open house event, the crowd got to hear directly from one of the current young residents, who shared a video message pre-recorded from his apartment.
“I would say I’m very proud to be able to take care of this space. I like having the sense of ownership and being able to personalize it,” he said. As a student, he especially appreciates his privacy to study: “I’m able to focus in this room,” he says. He added that he enjoys the communal aspects of the ROP program: Tuesday movie nights, Wednesday tea time, and Friday game nights, for instance.
According to ROP Team Leader Darcy Gilliat, the building’s population has tripled over the past two months, and is now bustling with youth using the spaces exactly as designed.
“I see youth connecting with each other and doing homework together, sitting at the fire pit on the second floor patio, and making s’mores. They’re playing board games and video games, and using the fitness room,” she said.
“Our hope is that each youth who joins our ROP program has opportunities to enhance their skills in many areas, such as cooking, financial literacy, accessing community resources, navigating healthy relationships, advocacy, cooperative living, and more,” added Darcy. “More youth will have the confidence to move on from here and live full and rich lives.”
As Deb put it: “Each young person who walks through our doors brings unique stories, aspirations and challenges. Our goal is to provide them with the resources and the support they need to navigate their path successfully together. We can bridge that gap between homelessness and a thriving future. This renovated space will serve as a launchpad for their journeys, and allow them to access vital services and engage in a community that believes in their potential.”