Make Twice the Difference for Youth Experiencing Homelessness in Vancouver

by Guest Author Monday, October 20th, 2025 — 11:48am PDT

The #CHVCatchUp is a monthly series featuring the latest updates and news from Covenant House Vancouver, written by the CHV team. Miss604 is proud to be the Official Blog Partner of CHV.

Covenant House Vancouver October 2025 Donation Matching

Make Twice the Difference for Youth Experiencing Homelessness in Vancouver

Youth homelessness is a significant issue in the Lower Mainland and across Canada. Covenant House Vancouver does amazing work, but being over 80% privately funded, they rely on community support, in order to help young people. From now, until December 31^st, they are running their Double Match Campaign when you show your support.

Imagine the Cause of Homelessness

Imagine being a young person, living in the family home, but your uniqueness is not celebrated by your parents. Perhaps you want a career that your parents don’t agree with or perhaps they’re not comfortable with how you identify. Regardless of the reason, you either don’t feel safe at home, or you are told to conform or leave.

For some of you, you don’t have to imagine, you’ve been there.

Imagine Living on the Street

So, here you are; a young person without a safe place to call home. Living on the street is dangerous and filled with predators. You may not have any money, or you might have a job, but how long can you keep that when you have no place to rest, eat, or maintain your personal hygiene?

You become desperate. Perhaps you beg. Perhaps you join a gang, for safety, or perhaps a trafficker finds you. Your life can quickly spiral out of control. You may turn to substances to help you cope with your new situation.

However it plays out, there’s a good chance that you will not be able to change your situation, without help.

Imagine if Homelessness Could Be Prevented

The 2025 Point-in-Time Homeless Count in Greater Vancouver found that over 5,200 people were experiencing homelessness.

There is significant overrepresentation amongst homeless youth who identify as 2SLGBTQAI+. They are estimated to make up 25-40% of the youth homeless population, compared to only 5-10% of the general population
There is significant overrepresentation of Indigenous youth
Over 40% of homeless youth have been involved with the child welfare system

Imagine if you could prevent homelessness, before it happens. You won’t read about that because homelessness that doesn’t happen, doesn’t make the headlines. But prevention is possible.

Covenant House Vancouver supports young people, age 16–24, who are experiencing, or at risk of experiencing, homelessness and/or human trafficking. Over the last five years, Covenant House Vancouver has helped over 500 youth find stable housing.

CHV helps over 160 youth every day with shelter, support, and safe space for youth to be themselves.

They have low-barrier programs to help with substance use, programs for youth in crisis, and a full spectrum of support that includes counselling, art therapy, life skills workshops, health and wellness supports, internal and external activities, and a clothing room, where youth are free to express themselves.

Imagine What Could Happen with Community Support

Your support enables Covenant House Vancouver to grow their programs and services to better serve youth in the community. Imagine what amazing work they could do, with your support.

There is no better time than now to show young people that you care. Thanks to the generosity of Scotiabank and The Steven Chambers Foundation, who are each contributing $50,000, every dollar you give (by December 31st) will be matched to double your impact!

With your help, youth will no longer have to imagine what life could be like for them. They will be able to create the future that they see for themselves. Donate today!