40 Years of Caring A Brief History of the Victoria Cool Aid Society - by Helen Edwards, Edwards Heritage Consulting Copyright 2009, Victoria ...
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40 Years of Caring A Brief History of the Victoria Cool Aid Society by Helen Edwards, Edwards Heritage Consulting Copyright © 2009, Victoria Cool Aid Society
40 Years of Caring: Brief History of Cool Aid
The 1960s
2
40 Years of Caring: Brief History of Cool Aid
Cool Aid formally began at a and/or North American religious
meeting on June 10, 1968 but its culture, and were at odds with
roots go farther back – to the Fall of traditional middle class Western
1965 when a group of students at values. Young people of the time felt
Victoria High School, members of strongly about Civil Rights and
the Philosopher’s Club, later known opposed the Vietnam War. Many
as the Monday Club, wanted to Americans came to Canada to
operate a peace club. Denied escape the military draft. All over the
permission to run the club through world, young people were travelling,
the school, they organized the Peace usually with very little money. In
Action League as an outside group. Canada, Pierre Trudeau, favourite of
In September 1966 the group was the young, became Prime Minister at
reorganized as the Victoria Youth a groovy, swinging Liberal
Project of the Company of Young convention in 1968. The focus
Canadians. One of the prominent everywhere was on the young
members of the Philosophy Club because they were so loud, so
was Charles Barber, later to become insolent, so numerous. Newspaper
one of the co-founders of Cool Aid. 1 columnists laboured to explain “what
the kids are saying.” Students
manipulated television news
whenever they seized public
2
buildings or campuses. These
people were visionaries that pushed
for things that we now take for
granted, things like women’s rights. 3
The time was ripe for an organization
Cool Aid's early days. Charles Barber on like Cool Aid to be founded and to try
right. Lynn Curtis collection to help.
In order to understand how The Victoria Youth Council
the young people felt, it is important (VYC) was organized with a list of
to consider the times in which they things that needed to be done. The
were growing up. The hippie young people felt adults did not
subculture began in the United understand the problems of youth.
States in the early 1960s and spread They were a group with a sense that
around the world. Hippies renounced they were misunderstood by society
corporate nationalism and embraced and were planning to do something
aspects of Buddhism, Hinduism, about it. Their goal was to get
3
40 Years of Caring: Brief History of Cool Aid
somebody elected to City Council. were many another groups that
They did better than that: Charles sponsored concerts on Sundays as
Barber eventually became an MLA. well. The first Love-in in Beacon Hill
They also believed that everybody Park was held on May 1, 1967 and
has the right to have their dreams was called “one of the strangest
met. VYC members helped the gatherings Victoria had seen since
seniors at the Silver Threads centre, quiet Sunday afternoons in the park
showing compassion for others. for the masses were done away with
They also helped draft dodgers and by the advent of the automobile.” 5
deserters. Actually, they helped By August, another Love-in was
people do whatever it was they cancelled by acting Mayor Robert
wanted to do. They even helped a Baird. When a group of “sixty hippies
young man enlist in the military, as invaded City Hall” to get him to
that is what he wanted to do. change his mind, he said he had “no
love to offer” because he thought
their conduct was not socially
acceptable. The “hippies” had used
Centennial Square during the
summer and Baird admitted they had
broken no laws, so “it was
impossible to have police whip them
Victoria Youth Council meeting.
out of the square or firemen flush
Lynn Curtis collection
them out with hoses.”6
The group worked at
organizing educational events of The first meetings were held
which music was a large part. on Wark Street, then 1527 Amelia
Musicians have been involved with Street. In early August, the VYC
politics since the 1960s social began to meet every Sunday at UVic
movements, says music historian at 2 o’clock. Whoever showed up
Alan Cross. “Back in the ‘60s, with constituted the current membership
the hippie movement and the whole of the VYC. All decisions were made
peace and love thing, the Vietnam by consensus with agenda items
War was turned into a tremendous written on a blackboard. The
galvanizing experience for youth meetings lasted until all the agenda
culture,” he says. 4 In Victoria, music items had been discussed and voted
was always a part of the VYC scene on. Items on which no action had
according to Lynn Curtis. Beacon Hill been taken by the following week
Park was the site of “big happenings” were discarded unless they were
on Sundays in the afternoon. There added to the current agenda.. This
4
40 Years of Caring: Brief History of Cool Aid
had the effect of focussing the efforts to a social pattern established by
of the group and ensuring that their and in our present education system
ideas and projects remained current. and an attempt to revise the present
concepts of ‘teaching’ and to put
these into practice.” 7
Also in the mid-1960s, the
federal government was responding
to the needs of youth with the
establishment of the Company of
Young Canadians with a mandate to
encourage social, economic and
community development in Canada.
Promised in the Speech from the
Throne on April 5,1965 and formally
established on June 10, 1966,8 the
Company of Young Canadians
(CYC), recruited young Canadians,
trained them in “social animation”
techniques and sent them out to
work for a moderate salary on
community programs across the
country.
Martlet Magazine, October 20, 1966
Cool Aid archives In March 1966, Stewart
Goodings spoke to students at the
Their first action was the University of Victoria and said The
renting of a thirteen-room house at Company of Young Canadians
1054 McGregor Street where the would attempt to use new tactics for
Social Education Centre was solving the old problems within
founded. Based on the idea of the Canada. He noted, “A pilot program
Free Universities of New York and with 250 volunteers will start this
Seattle, Rochdale College in Toronto summer. This initial program would
and San Francisco, it offered focus its attention on the Canadian
courses such as politics, religion, Indian, downtown slums, adult
and education. According to the education, school dropouts, and
Centre’s first calendar, “The centre delinquency. In the field volunteers
was founded as an experiment in would receive living expense only.
social communication, an alternative After serving two years, they would
5
40 Years of Caring: Brief History of Cool Aid
receive an honorarium. Orientation conventional way this
periods before service in the field unconventional kind of
11
and evaluation periods during honesty.” The publication was
service would provide the volunteers under constant threat from adults
with ideas and suggestions on the who felt its material went beyond the
techniques of community borders of decency, but the editors
9
development.” were able to refute all charges. One
radio broadcaster said: “Youth
One of the volunteers was doesn’t have the experience or the
Lynn Curtis, the son of a Vancouver understanding to take responsibility.”
elementary school principal, who had WinePress was a representation of its
been a UVic student that year. After times in which youth felt alienated
the initial training session in Nova from mainstream society and felt
Scotia at which he was elected the powerless to make any meaningful
chairman of the group,10 he returned changes. The Social Education
to Victoria to continue working on the Centre eventually self-destructed
development of a youth project in because it attempted to serve too
Victoria. According to the October many interests and too many
29, 1966 newsletter of the Victoria different groups of youth, including
Project, the Social Education Centre some very destructive ones, using
was not yet an accepted project of an approach that was too
the CYC although Lynn Curtis is unstructured. By the end of
listed as a CYC volunteer on its November, it was gone. Cool Aid
administration directory. He was also had a small office in James Bay on
the author of the “Basic Plan for Niagara Street, just east of Menzies.
Organizing a Free School System for That is where the WinePress had
Victoria, B. C.” that outlined the been started and was the
concept of alternative schools that headquarters of the Victoria Youth
would help high school-aged Council, conveniently close to
students and adults develop classes Beacon Hill Park.12
outside the mainstream education
system. The Social Education Centre All work done by the Victoria
also published an alternative Youth Council was under the banner
magazine, The Winepress that was a of The Victoria Project. The group
“free and honest forum for young produced regular newsletters to
people who want to express their update people on their activities,
idea of what the real is all about. including benefit dances,
[They provided] an alternative to a “happenings” at Bastion Square,
society that does not permit in the regular meetings of the Youth
6
40 Years of Caring: Brief History of Cool Aid
Council, and plans for a Youth have some positive impact on
Centre. Meetings were also attended Victoria City Council as they were
by supportive adults who gave the made aware of the struggles of
group credibility in dealing with young people in uncertain times and
government bodies. In early 1967 set the tone for later activities by the
the group tried to establish a space group. The first drop-in centre was
for youth to meet in a downtown on Quadra Street.
setting, but were frustrated by the
public misconception that all their
organizers were “involved in the use
of marijuana and LSD.”13 The group
eventually secured space at 1408
Broad Street for a drop-in centre for
youth in 1968. Organized by Alan
Elford (19), son of the Mayor of Oak
Bay, Frances Elford, and Jack and
Pat Menard, it opened on May 2,
1968.14 There was a $2.00
membership fee, but it was not often
paid, the centre had financial
troubles and closed on November
30, 1968. At the time Charles Barber
noted, “People had no pride in it.”15
First drop-in centre on Quadra Street, 1968.
Cool Aid archives
In October 1967, the Victoria
Youth Council developed a At the end of 1966, Lynn
“December Plan” to “give youth an Curtis took a group of students to the
effective and potent voice in their Student Union for Peace Action
public affairs, to give them power to conference in Waterloo, Ontario.
shape the quality and direction of They stayed at the University of
their own lives, and to give them the Waterloo. On the train to the
resources they need to develop their conference, they developed an idea
full potential as free individuals.”16It of a youth power base, revolutionary
was a very ambitious idea, with the yet positive. The work on the Victoria
end goal of gaining public facilities Project included protesting the War
for youth in Victoria and active in Vietnam. They organized an
participation of youth in all decision- international seminar on Vietnam,
making. Based on the concept of held on March 18-19, 1968 with
“youth helping youth,” the plan did speakers as diverse as university
7
40 Years of Caring: Brief History of Cool Aid
professors, ministers, American folk- phone number – 383-1951 (still the
singer Joan Baez. US Senator Henry number for Cool Aid today).
Jackson and US SDS organizer Tom
Hayden. According to the SUPA John Warren, a welder, and
newsletter, “It was huge, it worked, it Lynn Curtis went to Vancouver with
was successful, it was solvent, we adult supporter Hugh Wade where
sold 1000 pieces of literature and there already was a Cool Aid
made many converts.”17 association and asked for permission
to use the name. Lawyer Mike
During April and May 1968, Harcourt gave permission for the
members of the VYC had Victoria group to use the name.19
researched, analyzed and discussed Charles Barber and Greg Welsh
the extent and quality of helping went to test out the Vancouver
facilities available to youth in the hostel. Ironically, the Victoria group
Greater Victoria area. For housing, is the only one to succeed; the
the picture was “dismal” with the Vancouver Cool Aid disbanded many
Salvation Army housing only men, years ago. Mike Harcourt recently
and the YMCA housing women but said that the group in Victoria had a
charging $2.50 - $3.50 per night. For sense of humour that he credits with
counseling, the outlook was even its long term survival.2
worse. Thus was born the idea of a
hostel and an emergency-oriented,
crisis intervention service, run by
youth.18 Starting these services
under the name of Cool Aid in
Victoria was one of the agenda items
to be discussed at a weekly Victoria
Youth Council meeting. Charles
Barber was originally opposed as he
felt it would not create social change Adult supporter Hugh Wade with Victoria
but would divert the political Youth Council members in Vancouver.
grassroots youth organizing work Cool Aid archives
and consume all the energy of the
group. Eventually he agreed and a The group issued a flyer
plan was made where adults would asking for help from the public (see
be asked to take transients into their to the right). 21
homes on a case-by-case basis. The It should be remembered that
group contacted homeowners, the temporary accommodation for
rented a phone and obtained a transients was only one initiative of
8
40 Years of Caring: Brief History of Cool Aid
the Victoria Project. In a July 24, people (mainly transients) who need
1968 assessment, they listed nine help, makes arrangements for
organizations created to carry out billeting with private homes.
certain responsibilities: 4. Youth Week Committee: Plans for
Youth Week August 18-25 from an
1. Victoria Youth Council: This was office at 1164 Kings Road. One of
the prime decision-making body of the events was the Robert Baird
the Project and was then meeting Whip Memorial Festival, a reference
every Sunday at 2:00 pm at 1817 to Alderman Baird’s comments in
Quadra Street 1967.
2. Broad Street Centre: This was 5. Friends of the Youth Council: This
begun in January 1968 and opened is a supportive group of adults
its doors at 1408 Broad Street on deeply committed to the goals of the
May 2. This was considered one of Project and who meet together when
the most important functions of the asked to do so and who provide
Project, as it was a most effective ideas information, money and
means of exchanging information, contacts. They were also able to give
ideas, criticism, and life styles. the youth credibility in their quest for
funding for projects. Some members
of the group were deemed
“outsiders” or “rebels” by the
establishment, but the majority was
considered to be upstanding citizens.
The 1968 President was Architect
Peter Cotton.
6. Social Education Centre: This was
the Project’s publishing house.
7. Thirty Pieces Productions: Makes
films, harnessing the creative
expression of youth.
8. Group Therapy: This group meets
every Wednesday night and brings
together nine people from different
components who try to work out their
Cool Aid request for help in summer 1968. difficulties with each other. [It is
Cool Aid archives
noted that this group was led by
social worker Gerry Webb and the
3. Cool Aid: Described as an number of participants varied a great
operation designed to aid young deal from week to week. The actual
9
40 Years of Caring: Brief History of Cool Aid
text of the report is left intact.] dances to raise funds for their
9. Norman Bethune Club: This group operations and charities like Oxfam.
organizes confrontation for changes Cool Aid was still run as a billeting
around issues like Vietnam, civil service with constant calls for adults
rights. to open their homes. The phone was
temporarily disconnected in October,
but service was restored after adult
supporters paid the bill. In addition to
housing transients, the group also
helped locate runaways and
provided legal aid where it was
needed.22 Another of the early
members was Charles Ball who is
remembered by Charles Barber as
“an important and deeply helpful
volunteer.”
Youth Week 1968 program.
Cool Aid archives
Work planned for the future included:
1. Youth Council Day planned for
August 21, 1968
2. A “Happening” at Carberry
Gardens Victoria Youth Council raising money
3. A Marathon Group Therapy through a car wash. Cool Aid archives
session lasting 20-24 hours
4. A Project Development Weekend The Friends of the Youth
with the topic “Where Do We Go Council held a special meeting to set
from Here?” up a charitable body that would be
able to apply for the needed funding
Throughout the remainder of and would be legally able to control
1968, the VYC continued its efforts the finances of the youth’s
to help youth. As already noted, the enterprises. Without formal adult
Broad Street Centre was closed on support, the provincial government
November 30. They raised funds would be unlikely to provide any
through events such as car washes money to the youth group. The
and musical events that continued to Pacific Community Self-
play a large part in the operations. Development Society with its Board
The group sponsored concerts and of Directors drawn from the Friends
1040 Years of Caring: Brief History of Cool Aid
of the Victoria Youth Council, Cool worthwhile, and any tax dollars given
Aid, and the Company of Young to Cool Aid couldn’t serve a better
Canadians was duly incorporated on purpose. There is no red tape like
December 5, 1968. On February 23, you find it in official welfare
1969, Cool Aid held a special agencies; Cool Aid knows what the
meeting to deal with the “inevitable kids want and I think they are very
rush in Cool Aid business this idealistic to have taken abuse in the
spring.”23 They noted that they were past two years.”24
very short of housing and were
thinking of applying for provincial On May 1, 1969, Cool Aid
funding to help meet their goals. opened their first hostel at 953
Balmoral Road. This meant they
In early 1969, the new could continue the work started in
PCSDS made application for funding their first year with the billeting in
at the inter-municipal level. A grant
of $3,060 was approved at the inter-
municipal level but City of Victoria
Alderman Robert Baird voted against
the City of Victoria share, and the
request was referred back to the
Finance Committee. On April 17,
1969, he was the sole member of the
committee to vote against the City
paying its share of the grant. He
claimed “we shall be the laughing-
stock of the nation, if we associate
Sketch of hostel at 953 Balmoral Road.
with them.” Other committee
Cool Aid archives
members did not agree. Support also
came from Garth Homer, executive which they had provided 854 units of
secretary of the Greater Victoria housing, counselling for 121 kids,
Community Welfare Council who and 29 found jobs (of part-time and
noted the proposed program was limited duration). By the end of 1969,
“worth a try.” Alderman Ove Witt, the new hostel had housed 2,107,
chair of the City’s Youth Committee, served 3,196 meals, and counselled
added: “I don’t give a damn what 444 kids – a remarkable increase in
anyone says – these kids are doing only one year.25 When Cool Aid
a great job, and they do it in a way started on Balmoral Road, they felt
no other agency could hope to do it. the police would raid the place. It
They have proven themselves was Hugh Wade’s idea to have a
1140 Years of Caring: Brief History of Cool Aid
front door key made and delivered to and I do mean any, problem
the Police Chief. They said the police presented.” Mayor Hugh Stephen
could visit at any time but shouldn’t added: “If there was not an
kick down the door, as Cool Aid organization such as Cool Aid...
couldn’t afford to pay for the repairs. there would be no refuge at all for
They always sent flower to the Police certain types of young people.28
Chief on Monday.26
In November 1969, federal
senators toured the Vancouver Cool
Aid operations. In contrast to
Victoria’s one property at that time,
Vancouver owned two buildings and
served about 1,600 teen-agers every
month. Vancouver Cool Aid had also
been given municipal funding in
Freeze the Cool Aid group that sought to
1969. 27 have funding overturned. BC Archives
At the end of 1969, the However, not everyone was
Greater Victoria Inter-municipal supportive of the young people’s
Committee received a report on the efforts. Once Victoria City Council
activities of Cool Aid. Dr. R. J. began to support their projects, a
Flanagan said that the probe was group of adults started a “Freeze the
“one of the most interesting and Cool Aid” campaign. Their
enjoyable pieces of work in which I information sheet was full of half-
have ever been involved.” truths and inflammatory statements
Committee members Miss Helen that actually reinforced young
Ruckle and Mrs. Genevieve Ali people’s belief that they had no
spoke highly of the work of the power in the decision-making
fledgling association. They urged the protest. Charles Barber was
1970 committee to continue to classified as “an admitted Marxist
financially support the work of Cool whose main ambition is to destroy
Aid. Speaking of traditional service the society in which he lives and one
delivery agents, Dr. Flanagan said, can find him at any demonstration
“These institutions are handicapped concerning peace, war, or brotherly
by their high degree of organization love.”29 Citizens were urged to write
and red tape. Cool Aid’s strength lies to their mayors and aldermen in area
in being unstructured and its municipalities in order to ensure that
willingness to try to cope with any, this “group of hippies” did not get
1240 Years of Caring: Brief History of Cool Aid
further funding. Obviously the cases – drunks, youth out of control
campaign was unsuccessful as the –with grace and humour. Over the
inter-municipal committee continued next years, every time Cool Aid
to provide grants, and the provincial needed something done, Laurie was
government provided matching funds there. He secured sleeping materials
in subsequent years. for free and sourced food from
wholesalers. Together with Greg
In mid-1969 Laurie Smith Welsh and Dale Brand (with some
arrived at Cool Aid as a client.30 He assistance from adult Board
started working as a volunteer doing members), he organized the donated
whatever needed to be done. When medical services and set the stage
funding increased, he was offered a for Cool Aid’s medical services
job at $100 per month. No task was today. The Free Medical clinic
too grand for him; he worked opened at First United Church on
cheerfully and competently and was August 18, 1970, co-sponsored by
known to deal with the most difficult the YMCA.
1340 Years of Caring: Brief History of Cool Aid
The 1970s
1440 Years of Caring: Brief History of Cool Aid
By early 1970, Cool Aid and Aid hostel at 953 Balmoral Road was
its work was becoming part of the just down the street from the St.
local new scene. In a full-page article John’s Church Memorial Hall and
written at the time the organization Jenner knew they needed additional
was requesting a grant of $7,980 space.32 The basement of the church
from the Inter-municipal committee, was ideal for a temporary extra
Victoria Daily Times reporter Don hostel as there was no rent or
Vipond penned a very supportive utilities to pay (the church paid the
piece. Drawing his material from the utility bill), there was a good kitchen,
1979 annual report, he wrote “this and it was close to the main shelter.
project works toward young people Cool Aid budgeted for 3 staff at $150
having a voice in the decisions that and agreed to occupy the space
affect them.” He noted the support of from April 1 – September 30. The
the adult members of the Pacific cost was not to exceed $5,280. The
Community Self-Development second location meant that sexes
Society including Hugh Wade, Peter could be separated: girls slept at the
Cotton, Dr. Harvey Richardson, and church hall while the boys were at
Frances Mahon, and advised of the 953 Balmoral. Cool Aid was given
support of the Victoria Medical autonomous control of the basement
Society where twelve doctors were hostel with only one of three Cool
available for services, and the three Aid staff chosen from St. John’s
psychiatrists, four lawyers and three Church Group. At this time there
ministers that Cool Aid could call on were six permanent staff at the two
when necessary. He noted that the centres: Charles Barber, Dale Brand,
rule of the hostel - No Drugs, No Don Bridgman, Janice Garay, David
Sex, No Booze - ensured that there Landles and Laurie Smith. In
was no trouble with the authorities.31 addition, there were 28 families who
were prepared to billet the overflow
St. John’s the Divine Anglican from the two locations. Among the
Church’s involvement with Cool Aid several supporter of the Summer of
began in March 1970. The assistant Service were volunteers, plus Marnie
priest of St. John’s, the Rev. Leonard Davis, CYC volunteers Barrie Taylor
Jenner, had a particular talent for and Ted Whittaker and Ruth Davis,
dealing with young people and had driver of a Ford Falcon / Pake Zane /
built an active youth group. He lived Kate Barlow / Colin Constant / Peter
close by the church, and his door Murdoch / Leslie Marrion / Terry
was open at all hours to youngsters Humby / Harry Creech / Jim
who needed his company. The Cool McBurney from Cabbagetown /
1540 Years of Caring: Brief History of Cool Aid
Steve Lee / Graham Dickinson aka Development Society Board of
Christopher Robin / Liz Kenney / Directors “passed the hat” at a
numerous bands / Earl Dean / Ray meeting, and came up with a $1,000
and Carol Rayfuse / the Cox family / deposit on the purchase of the
Dr Marian Sherman. former Emmanuel Baptist Church at
1900 Fernwood Road. The church
National recognition came to was willing to accept the deposit,
Victoria’s Cool Aid in April 1970. At a and understood that Cool Aid
conference of the Canadian Welfare needed time to raise sufficient funds
Council in Sainte Adele, Quebec, to complete the purchase.
word of the Victoria operation’s In November, Cool Aid hosted
success spread. According to an “Open House” at the Balmoral
Bernard Kenney who helped hostel so neighbours could see
organize the Victoria youth Council exactly what the organization did.
“ours was held up as being quite This was meant to allay fears that
sophisticated…. Our Cool Aid is the operation was less than legal
being held up as a model in that it and to gain support for the move to a
tackles problems from a total larger facility. This was followed by
approach at a community level.”33 an Open House at the Fernwood
Road site at which 300 friends and
However, it became apparent that neighbours attended.
the current facilities would be
stretched past capacity during the
The former Emmanuel Baptist Church, 1900 Public Open House as reported in Daily
Fernwood Road, as found by Cool Aid. Colonist, November 22, 1970.
Cool Aid archives Cool Aid archives
summer of 1970 and it was time to Some of those in attendance had
look for a larger home. In May 1970, signed a petition against the hostel
the Pacific Community Self- before they really understand what
1640 Years of Caring: Brief History of Cool Aid
Cool Aid did. They had visions of the youth hostel “all the way through.
hooligans invading their These people call themselves kids -
neighbourhood, devaluing their these kids are 21, 22, 23. “They are
properties. making a job for themselves ... and
the time has come for them to go
At a three-hour public hearing home and grow up.” He said the “city
on December 17, 1970, citizens owes them nothing - and they owe
against the proposal said they were the city everything.”36 Once again
concerned about the proximity of the Alderman Ove Witt spoke in support
proposed hostel to Victoria High of Cool Aid when he noted,
School, although, ironically, Principal ”kindness solves more problems
Duncan Lorimer and his teaching than bitterness and hate.” He then
staff of 64 were supportive. moved that Council table the bylaw
Reverend Leonard Jenner from St. while awaiting approval from
John the Divine Anglican Church, a Rehabilitation Minister Phil Gaglardi
long time supporter of Cool Aid, was for Cool Aid’s purchase of the
accused of wearing a symbol of the building for $60,000. The province
devil. When some members of the would provide the money.
public argued that Cool Aid clients
used drugs, John Shields,
representing the Family and
Children’s Service said “there are
probably more drugs being used
inside of the [Victoria] high school
than there are being used on Cool
Aid premises.” 34It was the first
Colonist, June 6, 1971 coverage on Cool Aid
meeting of the new council that once farm on Markham Road.
again included Alderman Robert Greater Victoria Public Library clipping file
Baird who had lost his seat in the
previous election when he had failed In early 1971, Cool Aid
in his attempt to win the Mayor’s received federal funds through the
chair. Baird, who topped the Opportunity for Youth program to
aldermanic poll, says he was re- operate a farm on Markham Street in
elected because voters “looked what Saanich. The Job and Food Farm
I was attempting to run for.”35Baird Project was initiated to aid in
said his “very determined viewpoint” combating two problems: short term
on long-haired youth and Cool Aid jobs for travelling youth and a lack of
still stands. He will continue his sufficient food in the youth hostel
opposition to the very existence of during the summer. Organizers
1740 Years of Caring: Brief History of Cool Aid
noted that many of the travellers fruition. Lest the public worry about
were penniless, and that it cost the quality of the work, it was noted
money to leave. Using a combination that long-time supporter Architect
of local volunteers, young people Peter Cotton was supervising the
paid $8.00 per day and a paid staff project and had volunteered his
of three; the farm produced an time.39
impressive list of crops. There had
also been a shortage of good food at The project was financed by a
the hostel the previous summer. In $64,000 mortgage through CMHC
August 1970 with a budget of $200, ($59,000 for the cost of the property
the hostel fed 2,033 meals of and the balance for rehabilitation
questionable quality. In 1971, with costs), repayable over a 50-year
the opening of a new facility, they period at 7 ¼%. Cool Aid also
expected to feed twice as many received $7,500 in donations from
meals on a budget of $300 per the public. Each month Cool Aid
month, using fresh produce from the received a grant of $1,600 from the
farm operation. Cool Aid practiced Youth Hostels program of the
organic farming long before the term Department of the Secretary of State
gained public awareness.37 to cover both operating and
purchasing costs.
On March 25, 1971, the
Pacific Community Self-
Development Society and Cool Aid
again made a presentation to
Victoria City Council who voted to
hold a public hearing on April 8,
1971. A second “Open House” at
1900 Fernwood Road gave visitors
more concrete plans of how the
hostel and other services would be
located in the building. The group
also put out a call for volunteers who
might be willing to donate their
services to help with the conversion
of the space from a church to a
hostel.38 By June, the work was
Meal preparation in the new Cool Aid shelter
almost complete, needing only at 1900 Fernwood Road.
skilled carpenters, plumbers and Lynn Curtis collection
electricians to bring the project to
1840 Years of Caring: Brief History of Cool Aid
The first meal was served in convicted of running a health clinic
the new Fernwood Road hostel – with a public nurse, in violation of a
The Youth Resources Centre - on city zoning bylaw whereas in
July 24, although the lack of fire Victoria, 18 physicians, 5
alarms and a fire exit sign meant that psychiatrists, 5 lawyers, 13 dentists,
overnight accommodation had to be one dental mechanic and two
delayed until July 29. 40The optometrists provide their services
counselling and crisis intervention for free in addition to free emergency
work continued at 953 Balmoral treatment at a local hospital and free
rather than at Fernwood Road as it prescriptions from a pharmacy. The
was felt that hostels were by their relationship with the police was also
nature hectic places and that these quite different in Vancouver where
specialized services required a the Cool Aid premises had been
relaxed atmosphere.41 raided 200 times looking for drugs; in
The success of the Victoria Victoria the only time the police visit
Cool Aid was featured in a television the hostel is to drop off a homeless
documentary on the CBC program transient rather than charge him with
Hourglass in August. Cool Aid was vagrancy. The article concluded with
offered as “a successful example of a quote from Laurie Smith “People
what happens when a whole here are proud that we have a clean
community supports the efforts of hostel. …They hustle their butts to
young people to solve their own keep the place attractive. If they treat
problems.” 42 43 The operations their environment with that much
received further positive publicity respect, maybe it’s only natural that
when columnist Denny Boyd wrote a they treat people with respect, too.”
comparison of the Victoria and
Vancouver Cool Aid programs in the
Vancouver Sun in November 1971.
His opening sentences tell the tale:
“In Vancouver, the with-it, hip frontier
town, Cool Aid clings to a precarious
life, succeeding marginally in spite of
The Establishment. In Victoria, the
tweedy, ultra-square retirement city,
Cool Aid flourishes, backed solidly
and enthusiastically by The Fernwood Dental Clinic inside Cool Aid
44 shelter at 1900 Fernwood Road.
Establishment.” He went on to
Cool Aid archives
contrast other areas between the two
cities: In Vancouver, Cool Aid was
1940 Years of Caring: Brief History of Cool Aid
Dr. Joe Haegert, long-time doctor at Cool
Aid Medical Clinic. Times, unknown date
In May 1971, the focus of the
Cool Aid House was changed from
Fernwood Dental Clinic entrance.
Cool Aid archives
one of the crisis/referral centre to a
group home facility for youth referred
In 1972, the first dental clinic by the Children’s Service. In its new
was established at the Fernwood location at 1133 Fort Street, it
Road hostel. Funded by the offered relatively unstructured
Department of the Secretary of atmosphere combined with
State’s Youth Resources branch, it counselling by adults, many who had
offered free dental work to low been through the system
income patients and was used as a themselves. Crisis and counselling
“demonstration model” for other services were moved to the hostel
communities across Canada.45 In its building and additional staff was
first year, it handled 4,000 visits. The hired to handle the workload. But the
weekly medical clinic continued to main focus of Cool Aid remained the
operate with Dr. Joe Haegert as its hostel. In 1973, 21,236 meals were
supervisor and dealt with a myriad of served while 13,117 overnight stays
clients, offering “sympathetic advice, were provided. The numbers were
no moralizing or sermons, just up from the previous year and the
medical treatment.”46The medical staff expected the demand to
staff saw 900 patients. Legal Aid increase even more in the upcoming
services continued to be offered by summer.
the Bar Society with a client load of
about 20 per week. In order to better serve the
2040 Years of Caring: Brief History of Cool Aid
young working mothers in its they have undertaken.” The media
immediate neighbourhood, Cool Aid coverage included details on the
began operation of a Day Care. It services offered at that time: a men’s
was originally intended to be housed hostel, women’s hostel, dental clinic
in the main hostel building, but there and medical clinic at 1900 Fernwood
were concerns about the suitability of Road, a group home for problem
young children being exposed to teenagers, and a day care centre.
hostel clients. In June 1973, the Day The former church sanctuary was
Care opened at 1340 Balmoral renamed the Springridge Theatre
Road. Students from Victoria High and was available for community
School and the Boy’s Club made groups that wanted to hold a meeting
toys, and local people donated many or put on a play.47
needed items. It was the only Day
Care operation in Fernwood. Cool
Aid was officially registered as a
charity with the federal government
in May 1973, opening the way to tax-
deductible donations.
In January 1975 Cool Aid
received a surprise. They had won
the first Commonwealth youth award
granted by the Commonwealth
secretariat. A Malaysian group
running a farming operation was also
selected. According to worker Laurie
Smith, “The federal secretary of
state’s department contacted Cool
Aid about 10 months seeking
information so they could apply for
the award on behalf of the group.
Then we heard nothing for a long
period of time, until three weeks
Cool Aid wins Commonwealth Youth Award.
ago.” Cool Aid won a plaque and
City of Victoria Archives clipping file
medals to mark the award and were
granted up to five travel fellowships Although the summer of 1975
to “study similar projects in other was not as busy as the previous
Commonwealth countries, and to year, Cool Aid was quite happy. At
demonstrate and discuss the work
2140 Years of Caring: Brief History of Cool Aid
one time in 1974 they had 200 elected MLA for Victoria the previous
visitors in one night – far too many December and was, therefore,
for a hostel with 100 beds. The unable to travel.50
overflow would sleep on the floor in
sleeping bags as no one was turned Financial statements for Cool
away. For the modest cost of $1.50 Aid’s operations in early 1976
per night, visitors received supper showed just how far the operation
and a breakfast of fruit, granola, and had come since its beginning. For
tea.48 The Board of Directors of the the three-month period ended March
Pacific Community Self- 31, 1976 hostel grants included
Development Society continued to $21,276.00 from the Province of BC,
monitor Cool Aid’s activities, noting $855.36 from the Association of BC
in the minutes of a regular meeting Hostels, $8,800 for the Dental Clinic
“Laurie Smith gave a fine verbal and $13,930.00 for the Medical
report on the progress of Cool Aid. Clinic.
Rents received this month total
$300, and are expected to increase April 25, 1976 was a very
to $500. The monthly mortgage important day for Cool Aid. At its
payments are now $550 a month, Annual General Meeting, the Pacific
and the rents will, it is expected, Community Self-Development
nearly cover this.”49 Society passed the following
motions:
In February 1976, five Cool 1. That the Pacific Self-
Aid workers departed on a month- Development society
long all-expenses paid trip to the Far hereby agrees to
East – the fellowships won as part of transfer the properties
the Commonwealth Youth Award the at 1900 Fernwood
year before. The five taking the trip Road (Lot A, Section
were Dale Brand, Cathie Sharkey, SR, Plan 25139) in the
Terry Humby, Harvey Kelly and City of Victoria,
Director Laurie Smith. Province of British
Columbia and the Day
The group visited Australia, Care Center at 1340
Hong Kong and Tokyo, Japan to see Balmoral Road (Lot 2,
what other youth groups were doing, Section 75, Plan 317A)
and to explain what Cool Aid had in the City of Victoria,
done here in Canada. Absent from Province of British
the tour was Cool Aid founder Columbia, to the
Charles Barber who had been Victoria Cool Aid
2240 Years of Caring: Brief History of Cool Aid
Society which is in the the following projects,
process of being i.e. Youth Resources
incorporated within the Center, Day Care
Province of British Center and Group
Columbia; Home, to the Victoria
Cool Aid Society upon
2. That the Pacific Self- its incorporation within
Development Society the Province of British
hereby agrees to Columbia;
transfer all the chattels,
equipments and 4. And that the said
supplies found at the transfers shall be
Building at 1900 effected immediately
Fernwood Road in the upon the incorporation
City of Victoria, of the Victoria Cool Aid
Province of British Society.”51
Columbia, and at Day
Care Center at 1340 Cool Aid had come of age and
Balmoral Road in the was no longer a group of youth with
City of Victoria. no credentials and financial savvy. It
Province of British was to become a full-fledged society
Columbia, and at the under the law of British Columbia.
Group Home at 1133 On October 28, 1976, the new
Fort Street in the City society was officially created as
of Victoria. Province of Society 12,684 with its first board of
British Columbia, to the directors:
Victoria Cool Aid Patrick Downey – President
Society upon its Joyce Heynsbroek - Vice
incorporation within the President
Province of British (President July 1977-May
Columbia; 1978)
Clare Yarwood - Treasurer
3. That the Pacific Joseph Haegert, Sr. -
Community Self- Secretary
Development Society Sibylla Artz
hereby agrees to Denys Beames
transfer all Cash and Beverley Timmons
Bank Accounts in the Michael O’Connor
custody and name of Ronald Spence
2340 Years of Caring: Brief History of Cool Aid
Peter Cotton He was very much involved as a “do
Ella Davis what you need to get it running and
Phyllis Chapman offer support to the people” type of
Roy Watson guy. He notes that it wasn’t until the
Frances Chapman52 new Streetlink Shelter was set up
that there was a more organized
As passed by the PCSDS, all approach.54
assets were transferred to the new
society and it began its adult life, For the next three years, Cool
owning its own property and Aid continued its work with the
assuming its own liabilities. It was at hostel, day care, and group home.
this time that the name of the society By November 1979, there were an
began to be spelled “Cool Aid” increasing number of clients who
without the hyphen. Also in 1976, the were more or less homeless or ill,
main stage space was rented to the and had nowhere else to go. While
newly formed Belfry Theatre the summer clientele continued for
Company who would continue to the large part to be travelling youth,
share the space with the hostel until in the fall and winter, the picture was
Cool Aid moved downtown and the quite different. Hostel Director Laurie
Belfry Theatre purchased the old Smith noted “In many cases there is
church. Former board member no other resource in BC able or
Frances Mahon Chapman fondly willing to give a bed and help to the
recalls the early days of Cool Aid. “I people who eventually dossdown at
think the spirit of Cool Aid, this spirit the hostel. We are dealing with
of creativity and giving, has been people who just aren’t able to fit into
maintained over the time. … The other resources in the province. We
young people often generated the try to act as a go-between while
ideas, and then the board vetted other workers in the system try to
these ideas. The young people were find an appropriate place for them.”55
very creative and were always trying In late 1979, the group applied to
to convince us that what they wanted extend the hostel services as the
to do was realistic.” 53 facilities were overcrowded. Slowly
the focus of Cool Aid was shifting.
Phil Ward moved to Victoria in The sale of a property at 1325
1976 and was looking for a part-time Pembroke Street, which the City
job while going to school. His sister acquired for $75,000, was endorsed
was a nurse at the Cool Aid Clinic by the Land Management Committee
and told him about a position of the City of Victoria. Unfortunately,
available as a worker/maintenance. Cool Aid did not have sufficient funds
2440 Years of Caring: Brief History of Cool Aid
for the purchase and their request for
rent-free tenancy was turned down
by City Council. Cool Aid President
Joe Haegert Sr. expressed his anger
and disgust with the decision noting
Council had an “opportunity to do a
very fine and good thing.”
Eventually Cool Aid secured
funding from the Health Ministry and
the Human Resources Ministry and
was able to acquire a house across
the street from the hostel – at 1921
Fernwood Road. Operated as the
Cool Aid Psychiatric Boarding Home,
the facility had a capacity of eight
boarders who lived together in a
family setting. They also learned how
1921 Fernwood Road, site of the Cool Aid
to take care of themselves – how to
Psychiatric Boarding House.
cook good meals, how to clean up, Cool Aid archives
how to do laundry and how to get
along with other residents. Dr. Ron 70% had drug or alcohol-related
Anderson, administrator of the Eric problems. Cool Aid was in the
Martin Institute said it was far less process of searching for a downtown
expensive to pay for a person to live location that could also include low-
in a boarding home than in a cost housing to complement its
psychiatric hospital. “Psychiatric downtown outreach program. In July
boarding home programs are ideal, 1981, the Capital Regional Hospital
but unfortunately they are in short District approved a request for
supply… The programs need $428,000 to be cost-shared with the
expansion.”56 Health Ministry on a 60-40 basis with
the province paying the larger share.
At the same time, Cool Aid These funds would allow the
realized that the clientele of the provision of a medical clinic and
hostel had changed drastically. Most administration services in its
of the people being served were proposed new 42-bed facility. The
homeless or destitute, and about Society was also negotiating with the
Ministry of Social Services and
housing for the shelter portion of the
2540 Years of Caring: Brief History of Cool Aid
new facility.57
Times Colonist, August 11, 1988
Cool Aid logo, 1980s
2640 Years of Caring: Brief History of Cool Aid
Outside Cool Aid shelter, 1900 Fernwood Road. Lynn Curtis collection
Biker outside Cool Aid shelter, 1900 Fernwood Road. Lynn Curtis collection
2740 Years of Caring: Brief History of Cool Aid
Registration at Cool Aid shelter, 1900 Fernwood Road. Laurie Smith on right.
Lynn Curtis collection
The lounge area, Cool Aid Shelter, 1900 Fernwood Road. Lynn Curtis collection
2840 Years of Caring: Brief History of Cool Aid
The dormitory, Cool Aid Shelter, 1900 Fernwood Road. Lynn Curtis collection
The breakfast place, Cool Aid Shelter, 1900 Fernwood Road. Lynn Curtis collection
2940 Years of Caring: Brief History of Cool Aid
The 1980s
3040 Years of Caring: Brief History of Cool Aid
In 1982, Cool Aid hired Jane
Dewing as Executive Director. In her With the increasing number of
first few years, she spent time doing clients with mental health problems,
anything that needed to be done Cool Aid had to start discussions
including cleaning the hostel, with local mental health groups. The
ordering supplies, etc. She was problem was that Cool Aid had no
always involved at some level with accreditation as a service provider.
the clients, and she enjoyed that They had received one grant, but did
interaction. She recognized that Cool not fit the funding formulas. Jane
Aid had a solid foundation for Dewing explored partnerships with
service, providing hostel service and other agencies on the basis of “what
food, but as an organization it part could you help and who could
needed to be able to grow and react pick up the other part?” She talked to
to societal change. They housed 70 officials about Day Care and the
people per night. She preferred to Group Home. She used her
use words that represent the solution knowledge of people to get funds.
(to find a home, not “homeless”). It The RISE project funded the
was part of her job to ensure that Employment Services.
City Council and key organizations
were aware of the need to house The diversity of services
people. Pacifica Housing housed meant Cool Aid could tap into many
families, and the Salvation Army was funding needs and funders. Jane
seen as a downtown agency, but Dewing shared information with
Cool Aid was seen as the most others in the community and got onto
comprehensive in town. At this time provincial boards. She felt it was
they had no brochures or written very important to retain the
material. Cool Aid used the services “grassroots” connection between the
of the Community Council who did board and the operations so that the
reports on various aspects of the history was not lost. Jane found that
social problems. For example, the the most instrumental board
Community Council interviewed members came to Cool Aid because
everyone who came in for meals for of the Day Care Centre. It had been
30 days, to determine where they the first Day Care in Fernwood, and
came from, what their needs were, later added a special needs
etc. The hostel at that time was still component. As a result, Cool Aid
funded by the Human Resources was able to influence policy on Day
department who offered a per diem Cares in the city and province.
for each bed occupied at night.
3140 Years of Caring: Brief History of Cool Aid
used a new program called
Reconnect for funding. The purpose
of the shelter was to collect youth
and then help them reconnect with
home. Mike Ellis was on the board of
Cool Aid for a long time. Kiwanis
made alterations to the building
behind the Crystal Pool. It was
Day Care Home, 1340 Balmoral.
difficult to get rezoning but later
Cool Aid archives
surveys of neighbours were
Between 1983 and 1987, the favourable. The Victoria Youth
hostel clientele changed from the Empowerment Society eventually
travelling youth to the “hard to took over the shelter.
house” and “homeless.” When the
provincial government closed the Cool Aid used federal
large psychiatric facilities as they felt programs to hire three people to do a
large institutions were not the way to brochure. Trudy Norman was hired
handle the problems, this had the in 1986 as a researcher/outreach
result of an influx of mentally ill worker and did the first homeless
persons living on the streets. Many count. She prepared a report about
of these ended up at the Cool Aid the 350 people on the street
hostel. This, coupled with decreases including information on what
in the welfare system, produced a addiction problems there were. Her
large street population in need of report outlined the continuing needs
help. The effects are still being felt in of the street population including
2008.In 1985, the name of the continued outreach, a shelter open
shelter was changed to Streetlink 24 hours, a mental health worker,
Emergency Shelter to better reflect and consistent ongoing funding for
the type of users. additions and mental health
problems.
The Kiwanis Youth Shelter
was set up in Spring 1986 because Her report served as the
the staff felt they were unable to proposal for the Streetlink Shelter.
guarantee the safety of youth in the She continued to work as an
hostel situation. Mike Ellis from outreach worker and support figure
Kiwanis was instrumental in the for the housing project until 2005.58
process. Three people started Streetlink got its first manager
looking for a downtown site. They through application of United Way
outreach money in fall 1986 and by
3240 Years of Caring: Brief History of Cool Aid
fall 1987 a downtown outreach annual grant to Cool Aid that helped
position was established. Streetlink to employ at least two extra people -
was also opened for daytime use. an additional life skills person to
The motto was then – and still is – work during the day and an extra
“Put the path where the people person at night at Streetlink.
walk”. This is why the Cool Aid Executive Director Jane Dewing
buildings and facilities are located noted, “It recognizes the support
where they are now. care we give with severe drug and
alcohol problems.”60 Further support
Programs underwent a was announced on November 24,
change with the offering of outreach 1988. The Capital Regional District’s
and mental health issues at hospital and health planning
Fernwood. It was difficult to get commission unanimously supported
funding for health issues as most of Cool Aid’s proposal for a new
the money went to publicly owned building. The estimated cost of the
facilities. The Board then made new facility was $2.8 million, and it
health care a case for better shelter, was intended to house the Streetlink
and met with BC Housing. It was shelter, lifeskills programs, a medical
determined that conversion of the clinic and the downtown outreach
hostel on Fernwood to meet the new program for adults. A new innovation
needs was not practical. By August would be 20 units of low-cost
1988, it was obvious that the housing.61
Fernwood Road facility was too
small, and was unsuitable for the In January 1989, the
additional service that were required. expenditure of $520,000 for site
The open dormitories were not acquisition and planning for a new
popular with clients and could lead to Cool Aid building was approved by
one person with nightmares or the Capital Regional Hospital District
hallucinations keeping the whole Board, subject to cost-sharing by the
dormitory awake at night.59 As well, provincial government. Board Chair
there was a desire to provide low Murray Coell said “the expenditure
cost housing on a permanent basis, roughly breaks down to $413,000 for
not possible at the small site. land acquisition, $80,000 for
Funding was expected to come from architect’s fees, and $17,000 for
a variety of sources. other administrative costs.” He said
the Cool Aid Society helps people
On September 21, 1988, who fall through the cracks in
Labour and Consumer Minister Lyall existing health and social care
Hanson announced a $78,000 system.62
3340 Years of Caring: Brief History of Cool Aid
would make the organization unique
In April 1989 the Province of in Canada. He added, “the centre will
BC approved in principle its 60% have 55 emergency shelter beds in
share of the cost of the new facility.63 two- and three-bed rooms, instead of
Cool Aid was now able to look for an the current warehouse-style
appropriate site in the downtown dormitories in the current shelter”.
area as they had been reluctant to The medical on the main floor and
do so before confirmation of funding. large “interior street” prevented the
In June Gwyn Simmons was hired as indignity of clients having to line up
project manager to find a suitable on the street for food and beds. On
site for the new shelter. Cool Aid the top two floors were 25 one-
acquired a six-months option on land bedroom apartments and one
on Swift Street and profiled 50 bachelor apartment, available for
clients in a bid for funding for people ready for independent living.
completion of the project. Funding The units were to rent for 30% of a
came from BC Housing and other tenant’s income. The CRD was
agencies. On December 15, 1989 initially going to pay for part of the
Social Services Minister Peter Dueck building, but it was discovered that
announced that a former meat- funding could come through BC
packing plant on Store Street would Housing Management Commission
be the new home of Streetlink and from the provincial and federal
other Cool Aid services. He said, governments, so the CRD paid for
“Cool Aid provides food and shelter – furniture and fixtures instead.
the most basic of human needs – but
it also offers opportunities to grow in The three-level Gainer’s
other areas of their lives once the building, designed in Chicago and
basic needs are satisfied. It helps built in 1925, was seen by project
people make positive changes in manager Gwyn Simmons as “a good
their lives.”64 example of recycling an existing
building. It’s a good model for other
In addition to the contribution buildings like this in the city.”65 On
for the new structure, the province February 15, 1991, the new
agreed to provide $1 million in Streetlink building opened its doors,
annual operating funds through the followed by a night-long community
Social Services, Housing, Health and celebration and a celebrity “sleep-
Labour and Consumer Services over” to help raise funds. Invitations
ministries. Cool Aid Society chair were sent to people in all levels of
David Poje noted that the expanded government and those who had
services offered in the new building been involved with the new building.
3440 Years of Caring: Brief History of Cool Aid
It cost $60 to attend the celebration with these guys for almost five years
or $100 if the invitee wanted to stay and now I have a sense of giving
the night. The new facility also had a them something wonderful.” Of
kitchen facility capable of serving course, these apartments would not
three meals a days to 100 people, bring an end to homelessness, as
and a professional chef was hired to the numbers continued to rise, but it
manage this new kitchen. The new was a positive start. According to
residents of the apartments renamed former Executive Director Jane
their home “Swift House”. For some Dewing, “The Streetlink Building was
clients, it would be the first real a benchmark in Cool Aid’s evolution
homes they had known in years. The as it was a purpose-built shelter.
apartments all had new kitchens and From there Cool Aid moved from one
bathrooms, brand-new carpets and a housing project to another. They
variety of designs. Outreach worker were able to tap into an increase in
Trudy Norman noted, “I have worked alternative funding.”66
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