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Spring 2008
Interview with a Board Member
Most people recall the defining moments of their adolescent years. The same is true for Frank Thoresen, the immediate Past President of the Board of Directors for Threshold Housing Society (THS). A board member since 2001, Frank decided to get involved when two representatives came to his church and spoke about the important work of the Society.
"I was moved to be involved, despite how busy my life was both professionally and personally."
Frank found himself identifying with the youth who pass through Mitchell and Holly Houses. He says, "I sometimes have that conviction, There but for the grace of God go I. ... If it hadn't been for an adult who put me back on the straight and narrow when I was a youth, I could have been on the street, homeless, in a foster program or in jail. I could have been one of our kids." “(That adult) made me feel
that I was valued. I had felt most of my life discounted by family, and this individual treated me like I was a human being, like my opinion meant something.”
It does take more than inspiration to be the President of the Board, however. Frank's main duties are to deal with policy issues and to assist the Executive Director with her administrative responsibilities.
"I'm also involved in our housing committee," says Frank. "I do work that needs to be done around the houses, maintenance work, cleaning, yard work. That is to me just a Christian service."
Doing manual labour has its benefits for Frank's relationship with the residents of each house.
"It gives me an opportunity to be around ... without being in a formal role for the kids. For example, when I was working in the yard at Mitchell House, one of the young fellows came home from school, stopped to chat, and spent the next hour and a half working with me in the yard. It was really good! I quite enjoyed his company and felt that he was comfortable."
Given the salient needs that are being met through Threshold's program, Frank sees the organization expanding its work to other communities on Vancouver Island within the next five years.
"Two houses are just nowhere near enough. The Ministry has acknowledged the important and unique services we provide .... If we had more beds, they would be able to fill them. Virtually every community has needs for transitional housing for youth."
Frank sums up the Christian philosophy that informed the origins of THS and its goals:
"In each person, Christ is present. His message to us is that we're to take care of those who need to be taken care of: those needing to be loved. THS fulfills that; it provides a safe place for kids to heal and find themselves and to decide on future direction."
"Threshold Housing Society provides safe, affordable, semi-independent housing for youth. It is an important part of social housing in our community, and there is a desperate need for it. Supporting us and helping us to grow will help to relieve the housing shortage that exists in our community. "
- Penelope Hagan-Braun, Weekend House Supervisor & Newsletter Editor
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