Resident Lawrence Ross in his apartment at the Victoria Cool Aid Society’s Olympic Vista building in Saanich. DARREN STONE, TIMES COLONIST
Roxanne Egan-Elliott Times Colonist December 8th 2024
When he first saw his new home in the Olympic Vista building near Uptown, Lawrence Ross thought: “How fortunate I am that Cool Aid has a place for senior adults.”
When Lawrence Ross moved into his bachelor unit in a supportive housing facility for seniors two years ago, it was “a big, dramatic change” from his last few months living in a shelter.
Ross, now 64, had been on pins and needles while living at the shelter, where many people were drinking and using drugs and he felt he needed to keep to himself.
“It’s almost like going to jail. If you don’t mind your business, you’re going to be confronted,” he said.
When he first saw his new home in Cool Aid’s Olympic Vista building near Uptown, Ross thought to himself: “How fortunate I am that Cool Aid has a place for senior adults.”
The 24/7 staff go above and beyond for residents, Ross said, and he can have all of his medical needs taken care of at Cool Aid’s downtown clinic.
“I’m so forever thankful for Cool Aid Society, who gave me a chance to have some sort of a sensible life with my own apartment,” he said.
The 36 residents of Olympic Vista, who are 55 years old and up, receive a daily meal, medical care for mental health and substance use, harm reduction support and life-skills development.
