Gukwa̲s sa Wagalus
Gukwas sa Wagalus – The Rainbow House
Building Safer Spaces: Together
Dawn to Dawn, in partnership with the Pride Society of the Comox Valley and supported by Hereditary leadership and the K’omoks First Nation, aims to provide transitional housing for 2SLGBTQQIA+ youth in our community.
We call this project Gukwa̱s sa Wagalus – Rainbow House.
A recent BC Housing study has confirmed what many have known for some time: More and more people are experiencing homelessness in British Columbia. Between homelessness counts in 2018 and 2021, homelessness has risen 11.5% in BC; of those experiencing homelessness in 2021 (8,665 individuals), 11% were youth, 39% were indigenous, and 9% identified as 2SLGBTQQIA+. Homelessness increased from the previous count by 12.8% in the Comox Valley and 43.2% in Campbell River. (The Homelessness Services Association of BC (2021). 2020/21 Report on Homeless Counts in B.C. Prepared for BC Housing. Burnaby, BC.)
“These young people in our community often face greater levels of homelessness than their peers, and they can be shunned by family, and are wary of shelters for their personal safety. These young folks, both indigenous and non-indigenous, are falling through the cracks.”
-Grant Shilling, Community Outreach
This underlines the desperate need for transitional housing in our local community. Dawn to Dawn sees this need directly and most keenly in the lives of local 2SLGBTQQIA+ youth. Young people are some of those most affected by the growing
wealth gap in Canada. Their risk of becoming unhoused is greater when holding marginalized identities, even more so when holding several of these identities. Gukwa̱s sa Wagalus – Rainbow House will provide a stable place for these young people to rest, connect and find support.
We need your help – To spread the word – To support those in need – To fund Gukwa̱s sa Wagalus – Rainbow House – Donate Today.
In the Media
Coverage for Gukwas sa Wagalus in the news media:
- Breaking ground with safe housing project for 2SLGBTQ+ youth in the Comox Valley – Comox Valley Record, 25 Jan 2023