In Canada’s recent history, unprecedented numbers of people have died from drug overdoses, and despite various approaches, none have succeeded in mitigating this tragic epidemic. Today’s opioid crisis is especially harsh among the homeless and marginalized, but its impact supersedes…
Jenny Shantz spends her days with youth and their families in East Vancouver who have been impacted by intergenerational trauma, “nurturing hope, belonging and growth.” She sent this message to supporters of Inner Hope Youth Ministries April 4. Last month,…
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…
Earlier this year, Tyler Dunlop gained international attention for all the wrong reasons. He was the ‘Homeless, hopeless Orillia man’ [OrilliaMatters, January 23, 2023] who was seeking euthanasia. Now, he hopes to make a similar impact for all the right…
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…
I was waylaid today, by the bookstore on Broadway at Macdonald. Waiting for the bus, I looked through the window and saw an ink drawing of a single thistle stem upon a book titled Japanese Death Poems Written by Zen…
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…
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…
Grace Baptist Church has been on the front lines in Hope, opening its doors to travellers marooned in in the city because of flooding and landslides. Pastor Jeff Kuhn has been widely quoted, even on BBC News, which included this portion…
Jemal Damtawe is well known and respected in the Downtown Eastside as an outreach worker with Union Gospel Mission (UGM). Many will know that he struggled with addictions himself before he overcame them and began helping others on the street.…