A Nanaimo supportive housing site celebrated a decade of giving people a home in the community.
On a sunny April day, staff and residents at Boundary came together for a 10th anniversary BBQ. Boundary is in central Nanaimo near the hospital, it’s run by Vancouver Island Mental Health Society(VIMHS), the organization behind People First Radio. A number of those in attendance have been with the organization since the building first opened up back in 2016.
People First Radio spoke with staff and residents at Boundary about what life is like there, and the impact it has had on the lives of residents and the community.
VIMHS Executive Director Taryn O’Flanagan says there were concerns in the community before Boundary opened, but it’s been a quiet part of the neighbourhood for the last decade.
“This project specifically had a large opposition from the neighborhood association. It was actually quite aggressive at times and we worked really hard in the final year before opening to work with the neighborhood association as well as afterwards,” she said.
“We had two community advisory meetings with the neighborhood after we opened, and we never have had one since because there hasn’t been a need and there’s been no complaints. So it was a real solid success story in that regard.”
Resident Brandon says Boundary gave him a “perfect place to live.”
“ Otherwise I would’ve been on the streets and, I’d be dead because I suffer with schizophrenia and also addictions. I’ve been clean and sober for over three years now,” he said.
Boundary resident Brandon says there’s a sense of camaraderie among the residents
Resident Shane says he has a very structured routine living at Boundary.
“I get up at around 9:00, brush my teeth, and then I walk to Tim Horton’s with my friend,” he said.
“Then I either call my mom or play video games…at 12 I drink my coffee, and then at around like 2:30 I work out. And I often watch a movie with my friend after dinner.”
He says between all of that he also does a little bit of work reviewing documents for BC Mental Health and Substance Use.
Shane says living at Boundary has been great for his recovery.
“I’m grateful to have this place,” he said.
Boundary resident Shane says living at the site has been great for his recovery
Manager Camille has been working with VIMHS all 10 years that Boundary has been open. She says she’s seen the impact of the building in giving residents a safe place to live and build community.
“ It’s very heartwarming to see people looking out for each other,” she said. “They are their own family within the building.”
Apple Podcasts
Spotify
YouTube