Greater Victoria Non-Profit Expands Indigenous Support with Funding

A non-profit organization in Greater Victoria has initiated significant expansion efforts to support Indigenous communities, following a grant of $40,000 from the City of Victoria and other municipalities. This funding aims to tackle the complex issue of homelessness, which, according to the 2025 Point in Time count, affected over 1,700 individuals in the region. Notably, nearly 30 per cent of those experiencing homelessness identified as Indigenous.

Karen Mills, the founder of the Peer2Peer Indigenous Society, emphasized the unique cultural needs of Indigenous individuals. “We have a different kind of culture, we have our own language and so forth. We want to bring that back and support Indigenous people, trying to fill those gaps,” she stated. Established in 2022, Peer2Peer is a Metis-led initiative focusing on frontline outreach and providing a range of programs, including women’s healing circles and health outreach services for hepatitis C and HIV.

The organization has made notable strides in helping Metis and First Nations individuals transition from homelessness back to their communities. While most relocations occur within Vancouver Island, Mills indicated that they have assisted individuals as far away as Winnipeg. “We heard so many folks say they want to go home for various reasons. They found themselves here and they could never get back,” Mills explained.

To further enhance their outreach capabilities, Peer2Peer recently acquired a refurbished ambulance. This vehicle will serve multiple purposes, including wound care, community transportation, and relocation services. Mills highlighted the dignity this mobile unit brings to their work, noting, “Because we’re doing it on the street, sometimes it’s undignified. People are taking their pants off and shirts in bad weather.”

The organization has also established a partnership with the University of Victoria, which will allow nursing students to gain practical experience through the new mobile unit starting in 2026. Mills expressed optimism about the future, stating, “The next year’s going to be massive.” She outlined plans to expand services, focusing on nursing support, the relocation program, and ongoing HIV initiatives, all funded through the city’s Community Safety and Wellbeing Plan.

For those interested in supporting Peer2Peer, whether through donations or volunteering, further information can be found on the Peer2Peer Indigenous Society’s Facebook page.