Our Place: a nonprofit society formed by the alliance of the Open Door and The Upper Room in 2006. We have moved into our new facility to help those in need in Victoria’s inner city. We provide transitional housing, meals, support and advocacy, hygiene facilities, training and more. We are striving to give people a hand up, not just a hand out.

Our Mission: Our Place Society works in compassionate Christian love with those who are homeless and others in need to enrich and improve the lives of all.

Our Vision: Our place Society is a Christian organization providing leadership in creating a healthy community.  All who enter our doors, all who support our vision and all who work with us make up Our Place Family.

• We will provide a place where all who enter can find inspiration, hope and comfort.
• We will actively reach out to offer opportunities for positive change and enhanced self-reliance.
• We will create economic, employment and life skills initiatives.
• We will provide transitional housing initiatives that empower our residents.
• We will offer meals as a major part of meeting the needs of the hungry.
• We will raise awareness of the impact of poverty and homelessness in the wider community.

Our Guiding Principles:
Responsiveness- Our work involves responding with immediacy to the social, physical, spiritual and psychological needs of those who are homeless and others in need.

Self Determination- We recognize and uphold each individual’s freedom to make their own decisions and determine their own future.  Each of us is responsible for the impact our behaviour has on others in our community.

Accountability – We operate with integrity, earning the trust and confidence of those with whom we work and the respect of our community.  Financially, we live within our means and are accountable to our donors and funders.

Collaboration – We collaborate with service providers and others, gaining strength through teamwork and partnerships.  We recognize the importance of community and the contributions each person can make.  We play an active role in enhancing the quality of life in our community for its residents and visitors.

Celebration – We celebrate the gifts we receive, the people we serve, and our staff and volunteers.  We take time to notice and appreciate our successes and we recognize and learn form our failures.

Innovation and Evaluation – We are creative and innovative, continually striving to improve our programs and practices.  We evaluate our effectiveness, and respond accordingly.  Our Place offers opportunities for learning, mentoring and research.

Our Request to You: We ask you to consider the important contribution you can make in the lives of many in inner city Victoria by donating to our operating funds. Please look at this website, and forward our web address (www.ourplacesociety.com) to anyone you know who may be interested.

Our wish: for our inner city family, lives that just keep on getting better and better.

Our thanks: to you, for being willing to faithfully consider how you might help!

May it be so.