Researchers Evaluate Shelter For Homeless Vets

Remembrance Day is a time of reflection and memories but despite the ceremonies and somber remembrance services for Canada’s fallen heroes, there is a little-known group of Canadian veterans who are often forgotten– the at-risk and homeless.
        Cockrill House Pilot Project in Colwood is Canada’s first homeless shelter for veterans, and psychologist Dr. Tim Black and compassion fatigue specialist Dr. Susan Tasker, both with UVic’s Department of Educational Psychology and Leadership Studies, are evaluating the effectiveness of its program.
       The study is funded by the Royal Canadian Legion which also funds Cockrill House along with the City of Colwood and private donations. The shelter opened in April and currently houses veterans deemed “hard to house” or homeless, many of whom suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder.
       “My relationship with the Legion as both a clinician and researcher over the last 12 years got me involved with Cockrell House,” says Black, who is well known nationally for his research on veterans in transition from military to civilian life. “My role in the pilot project is two-fold. Firstly, I do informal interviews with the house residents to basically go over what the intention of the house is, the rules, guidelines, etc. I act as a resource and support person and liaise between the tenants and the house. Although I’m a psychologist, I personally do not assess the tenants.”
       The Department of Veterans Affairs acknowledges that while they do have programs, benefits and services that can benefit veterans, they do not offer services specifically designed for homeless and at-risk veterans or their families.
       Black and Tasker will conduct an evaluation of the project to determine if the house is achieving its goals for veterans: to provide stable housing, access to programs and social services, and assistance with transition to civilian life. The researchers are currently in the planning phase of the evaluation and will begin implementation in the new year.

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