Vancouver City Workshop at the Dugout

Friday, representatives of the City of Vancouver Community Services Group held a workshop at the Dugout. The purpose was to do some asset mapping and beginning to collect data from the residents of the DTES (Downtown Eastside) about what places and things are important to them. Participants opinions and observations will help the city planners understand the effects of development for the future of the community. This was the first of many workshops to be held in the area and the findings will be published this fall.

Tanya Fink, a Social Policy Planner organized the event. I am very familiar with her compassion and effectiveness as she serves in the Eastside. She started volunteering at the Church a few years ago, and was motivated by these experiences to get her master's degree in social planning at the University of British Columbia.

The group attending all had low income housing in DTES. Tanya had a large map of the area and each person used colored dots to demonstrate the assets of the community that are meaningful to them. The Dugout, First United Church, The Carnegie Centre and a variety of parks were the most common. General agreement was formed on the need for a large recreation center offering athletic, recreational and educational programs.

There were three men at my table who have lived in the DTES ranging from 17 to 33 years. It was my first in-depth chance to visit with residents who had worked regularly but are not now because of disabilities from  work injury or retirement. Two are living in SRO's (Single Room Occupancy) where 8-10 rooms share a bathroom and cooking is impractical in their rooms. They listed a half dozen new housing developments that have taken in homeless but not the existing residents in lesser facilities. One of the men who worked 17 years while living in the Eastside was talking about becoming homeless to gain entry given the advice of his residence manager.He has been applying for 8 years. He was prepared to get a tent and live this way if it would gain him access by being homeless. The other man had worked 32 years as a roofer while living in the area.

My primary interests are addressing addiction, but recovery is not possible unless there are stronger social / cultural / spiritual influences available than the drug culture. Safe low cost housing is essential for this to happen in the DTES.This all is in stark contrast to most of Vancouver which has the highest cost of living in North America.

Tanya will be holding another workshop like this in a variety of settings with the next one on June 26 at First United Church where most of the participants will be homeless. It will be interesting to gain from their perspectives.

Memorial for "Irish Mike"

Yesterday a memorial was held for a long term member of the First United Church Community. "Irish Mike" was well known and well thought of. Community members are generally very accepting of each other including those who are deeply troubled and prone to act out when they are using alcohol and other drugs.

Pictured playing the guitar is my friend and colleague Layton Peck. Layton is the night manager of the hosts who are the "front line" contact with those staying at the church. The hosts become very involved personally as well as keeping a sense of direction and supervision in the sleeping and dining areas. They are some of the finest people I have met with hearts of service that helps keep my heart soft and motivated. At least three were former residents at the church and now are living clean and sober lifestyles of service.

Layton, originally from Eastern Canada has been a business leader, minister, entertainer, and has a gigantic heart for the displaced and marginalized who reside at the church. For those who stay more than a few days he knows their names and a major part of the stories that bring them to the Downtown Eastside (DTES). For me he is also an expert on the criminal element that supplies drugs behind the scenes in the 10 block area.

Even though it is safe to walk the streets in the daytime, he tells me it is a different story at nights. Drugs are supplied by gangs and organized crime. It just occurs mostly out of sight. The visible signs of drug dealing I have seen on the streets from time to time in the day time are the secondary dealers, not the primary suppliers.

Layton was a major influence in the life of "Irish Mike." Layton recalls the first time he met Mike was to break up a fight. Then he became a night time confidant as Mike would seek him out when troubled. Layton has memories of holding Mike when he would have emotional collapses, counseling him, and taking him to secluded areas in the church to pray with him.

Mike passed away from natural causes which so sadly is not the reason for the other memorials I have attended at the church. Everyone in attendance was given an opportunity to share their thoughts and memories, and it gave me a sense of how much of a community exists in the DTES. It provides meaning and belonging in spite of the rampant addiction and mental health problems.There is an authentic element to their relationships that is very appealing and the sense of loss and grief was tear jerking.