The Vancouver Care Project

In a coffee shop in Downtown Vancouver I met with the Operations Manager of Directions Youth Services, Phoenix, who shared with me interesting information regarding her work at Directions and also her own story of overcoming addiction and homelessness. To read her story and many more click the link in my bio!

The amazing Employ to Empower is launching the Cardboard project, an initiative that helps us all to see the Downtown Eastside through a new lens. Featuring the cardboard stories of the Downtown Eastside put together by the amazing Downtonwn Eastside artist Marcel and many speakers on mindset, recovery and human connection. I hope to see some of you there at this amazing event!

Walking along Burrard street, I was in search of someone who appeared to be homeless that I could talk to. Unsuprisingly, it was incredibly easy to find someone. It seemed as if there was somebody on the corner of every block who was down on their luck and panhandling for some money. As easy as it was to find someone it wasn't as easy to find someone that I should approach to talk to as many of them were busy at their work. When picking people directly off the street, I often... try to approach people who don't seem to be actively panhandling as that is there income, livelihood and often the source of their food for the day. As I was searching I came across Willie, a man with a kind smile sitting quietly outside Burrard skytrain station. He sat with his friends dog, all of his belongings and his hat out in case anyone wanted to drop some change into it. Willie shared with me that he came to Vancouver in search of work in 1978 from New Brunswick. After leaving school in the 9th grade he hit the road two days after on a trip across Canada, his final stop being Vancouver. To hear the rest of Willie's story go to http://www.vancareproject.ca/stories/willie

"I didn't think I would live to see the day I was 30, yet here I am 60 years old" click here to hear Maggie's inspiring story of recovery and perseverance http://www.vancareproject.ca/stories/maggie

Here is a clip from Breakfast Television this morning!

Today I met Kyle, a young man I came across in the Woodwards building playing the piano. Kyle shared with me that his love for music, taught by his grandma helped him to get through his addictions. I thought I would share Kyle's talent here to brighten up your day as it did mine.

Some food for thought...

Meet Mel! An amazing women with a story of recovery and leadership. For Mel's story and many more click the link in my bio! http://www.vancareproject.ca/stories/mel #homeless #homelessness #helping #advocate #advocating #compassion #advocacy #respect #empowerment #soupkitchen #homelessshelter #shelter #community #socialjustice #vancouver #vanlife #vancouverisawesome #vancares #streetlife #marginalized #reality #recovery #dtes #support #survival #storytelling #story #blog #blogger #honesty #abetterlifevan #bridgethegap #handupnothandout #changemakers #endstigma #stopstigma #spreadthelove #vancityfeature

Today I had the pleasure of taking part in an amazing event, Give Thanks day, put on by @projectbluehands. Here is an art piece called "Cold Hands, Warm Heart", inspired by one of my stories, that was made by various members of the community and attendees of the event. I loved watching people from all walks of life come together to create such a beautiful piece work, reminding me the power behind community and kinship.

http://www.vancareproject.ca/stories/child-number-46 The other day I had the pleasure of meeting a new friend, who did not want his real name shared but rather to be called Child Number 46. Click on this link to read his story of surviving residential schools.

Meet Thomas! A cheery man who proves that reminds us to not judge based on our preconceptions. To hear his story and many more click the link in my bio! You can now read Thomas' story on @viawesome

http://www.vancareproject.ca/stories/nathan Meet Nathan! A story that reminds us to help with an open mind and heart