New Hope Community Services has welcomed more than 800 refugees since 2004, offering them community and housing at their 13-unit apartment building in Surrey. Their recent email to supporters linked the stories of their new arrivals to that of Mary…
Karen Giesbrecht, dietitian and food security coordinator with Union Gospel Mission in Vancouver, along with the Westside Food Collaborative and Kitsilano Neighbourhood House, recently released Food For All: Seniors’ Food Security in Vancouver’s Westside. The 29-page summary of a community…
The Dundarave Festival of Lights in West Vancouver does an admirable job of combining seasonal and Christian elements. Their mission is “bringing light, goodness and beauty into the darkest days of the year,” while also adding ‘the ultimate Canadian Christmas’…
Three Christian groups are working together with a creative community initiative. Pursuit Kitchen is designed “to empower youths and young adults by teaching them practical skills, and nourish vulnerable individuals with nutritious meals,” in collaboration with the CityReach Care Society,…
Two top-flight athletes will headline the Complete Champions Reception this Friday (November 24). Alison Jackson and Rick Hansen will address those gathered at the annual event to support the Trinity Western University (TWU) Spartans, the athletic teams that represent the…
BC Housing announced November 6 that an “affordable and supportive homes” project on the property of First United Church is now under way: Indigenous Peoples and people experiencing or at risk of homelessness in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside will soon have…
At one time, it might have seemed odd to head along to church to hear some jazz music. Surely it was more suited to smoky night clubs? Non-smoky now, of course, but still not churches. Times have changed, though, at…
Luis radiates joy. He speaks with enthusiasm – about his work as a chef, about biking along the seawall – and when he says he’s in a place of happiness, it’s impossible to doubt. Separated from his family in his…
Stephen Rathjen has lived and worked in the Downtown Eastside for many years. He has many friends and connections in the area, but over time experienced how Christians can live in close proximity and still not really know one another.…
A growing number of Canadians believe that the current rate of immigration to Canada is too high, particularly citing concerns about how newcomers might impact the availability of affordable housing. This is one of the main findings of a Focus…