Adults will be allowed to possess up to 2.5 grams of opioids, cocaine, methamphetamine and MDMA in British Columbia by early next year. That major shift in Canada’s drug policy was announced May 31 by Federal Minister of Mental Health…
Creating Conversation is a weekly editorial, curated by the Centre for Missional Leadership, that gives opportunity for people to speak about issues they believe are vital for the church in Vancouver. One of the goals of this weekly article is to…
Union Gospel Mission (UGM) has announced it plans to distribute $100,000 to 22 communities which are supporting their neighbours. Eligible applicants are encouraged to apply for a UGM Transforming Communities Grant. Here is how UGM describes the grant program: We…
February is Friendship Month at Inner Hope Youth Ministries. They are sharing eight stories around the theme ‘Love Perseveres,’ from people who have benefited from and participated in their work. Following are three of them. Part of the family: Diana’s…
Four years ago, I was laying on the street in the Downtown Eastside, about to try heroin for the first time. But then, I turned over and saw the UGM sign. If it weren’t for that, I believe I’d be…
Unaddressed, hidden barriers can silently trap someone in poverty, homelessness or addiction. But every day, Union Gospel Mission (UGM) support offers people resources to triumph over these complex challenges, moving them towards transformation. Following are four of those stories, re-posted…
The Catholic Bishops of BC and the Yukon issued a joint statement November 30 on the issue of legalized marijuana. The pastoral statement distinguishes between using cannabis for health purposes and using it simply for pleasure. While the letter is…
Peter Biggs of The Light Magazine is researching one Metro Vancouver / Fraser Valley municipality each month, and producing a focus on each one. The October issue brought attention to the Downtown Eastside and a feature interview with Jacqueline Dewar, who has worked and lived in…
Clean from hard drugs for two years and living in the brand new Co:Here Housing Community, Todd K’s[i] journey of recovery has been long. He began drinking heavily at 15, and was living on the streets of Vancouver with a crack cocaine…
How can Christian communities provide meaningful, thoughtful and effective supports to those who struggle with mental illness? That is the question that Sanctuary Mental Health Ministries and Regent College have addressed in two series of workshops, one last year and another…