UNIQUE DOWNTOWN EASTSIDE STORYTELLING EXHIBIT LAUNCHED

VANCOUVER – A unique photo storytelling exhibit ‘Real People, Real Lives…Courage and Hope in the Downtown Eastside’ opened today in the rotunda at Pacific Centre in Vancouver.

“The individuals portrayed in ‘Real People, Real Lives’ are a testament to the difference supportive housing can make to people who face challenges in their lives,” said Rich Coleman, Minister of Housing and Social Development. “The exhibit gives a courageous face to the Downtown Eastside and shows it to be a caring and vibrant community.”

‘Real People, Real Lives’, a candid portrait of 12 people who live in one of Vancouver’s oldest neighbourhoods, is a collaboration between Atira Women’s Resource Society and its property management company, award-winning photographer Michael Bednar, and the provincial government.

The photographer spent over a year working with the 12 subjects and came to know them well. Each has shown courage in coming to terms with personal difficulties such as homelessness, drug and alcohol addiction, or past experiences working in the sex trade. ‘Real People, Real Lives’ challenges viewers to see beyond these labels and to recognize that these people have hopes and dreams just like everyone else.

“I would like to congratulate the partners on creating such a moving portrait of our Downtown Eastside residents, and I’d particularly like to thank the 12 people who shared their stories,” said Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson. “The courage and hope they display is remarkable and remind me how everyone is a person with a unique story to tell.”
The initial concept for ‘Real People, Real Lives’ was developed by Janice Abbott, CEO of Atira Property Management Inc. and executive director of Atira Women’s Resource Society. Atira operates 17 of the 23 Downtown Eastside SRO hotels acquired by the Province since 2007 that provide clean, safe housing with support services.

“The tenants who live in supportive housing served as the inspiration for ‘Real People, Real Lives’,” said Abbott. “They all have compelling stories and I wanted to share these so that others could see them as real people rather than as the caricatures seen so often on the news. The Downtown Eastside is a valuable and viable community that needs our support but it is also worth preserving.”

A preview of ‘Real People, Real Lives…Courage and Hope in the Downtown Eastside’ is open during mall hours until Oct. 25 in the rotunda at Pacific Centre located at the corner of Georgia and Howe. On Oct. 30, the full exhibition will open at the Interurban Gallery located at 1 East Hastings Street, and will run until Nov. 14. Both exhibitions are free of charge. More information about the exhibition can be found at: www.realpeoplereallives.ca

In 2009/10, the provincial housing budget is approximately $450 million, more than three times as much as in 2001. ‘Breaking the Cycle of Homelessness’ is a website providing a comprehensive and detailed look at provincial programs and services to address homelessness. Visit www.bchousing.org/breakingthecycle for more information.

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Media Contact:
Susan Thom
BC Housing
604-439-4715
604-230-1301 (cell)