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… Read more →
Tag Archive for addiction
Finding my peace in forgiveness: how Frank has been restored from injustice
by Frank UGM • • 2 Comments
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… Read more →
Overcoming hidden barriers: four stories of hope from UGM
by Union Gospel Mission • • 1 Comment
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… Read more →
Statement on the Legalization of Marijuana in Canada
by Bishops of BC & the Yukon • • 2 Comments
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… Read more →
Snapshots of faith in Vancouver: the Downtown Eastside
by Peter Biggs • • 0 Comments
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… Read more →
Co:Here Housing Community created on former church parking lot
by Derek Witten • • 0 Comments
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… Read more →
Around Town: Mental Health workshops, Spartans, Responsible Automation . . .
by Flyn Ritchie • • 0 Comments
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… Read more →
Submission to BC Government’s consultation on cannabis regulation
by Archbishop Michael Miller • • 2 Comments
I welcome the British Columbia Government’s consultation on cannabis regulation and the opportunity to offer my concerns, and some suggestions, about the implementation of legalized marijuana in Canada. Let me also me commend the Government for taking seriously the opioid… Read more →
Marijuana can offer comfort – what do we offer?
by Karen Giesbrecht • • 1 Comment
Karen Giesbrecht coordinates several community meals at churches around Vancouver. Some of the participants struggle with addictions, and she is concerned with the implications of easier access to marijuana promised by all levels of government. On a recent Monday evening,I… Read more →
Jacob’s Well: Creating community in the face of gentrification
by Jacqueline Dewar • • 1 Comment
Just over a month ago, the Jacob’s Well community was not sure whether it would be able to carry on, having been evicted from its long-time home at 239 Main Street, just north of Hastings Street. The team decided to close its doors… Read more →