Poverty in the Downtown Eastside doesn’t look like poverty elsewhere in the world. People in this community are challenged in many cases by more than low incomes. Here homelessness is a complex problem that is the result of years of abuse, addictions and/or mental illnesses. It is a problem requiring compassionate and innovative solutions.

Many organizations are collaborating to break the cycle of homelessness. The following groups are participating in Downtown Eastside Connect at Woodward’s.

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Aboriginal Health Services - working to improve health within the context of Aboriginal people’s input and cultural beliefs; offers primary health care, drug and alcohol counselling and treatment, sexual abuse intervention, mental health services and HIV/AIDS treatment. Website.

Atira Women’s Resource Society - committed to ending the violence against women by providing housing and support services to women and children and education about the impact of violence. Website.  

Atira Property Management - affiliated with Atira Women’s Resource Society and offers property management services for strata corporations, developers, rental properties, non-profit housing, and cooperatives; profits are used to fund housing and support programs. Website.

BladeRunners - helps construction contractors fill entry-level positions with motivated at-risk youth and adults through a three-week construction site readiness course, on-the-job support/coaching up to 18 months apprenticeship, and job and support service referrals. Website.

Building Opportunities with Business (BOB) - supports business development and employment for inner-city residents and provides recruitment, job postings, supported employment program and skills development. Website.

B.C. Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS -  dedicated to improving the health of people with HIV and offers comprehensive drug treatment, health care and support services at Paul’s Hospital. Website.

Coast Mental Health - promotes recovery of people with mental illness by providing practical help such as housing, jobs, rehabilitative social and recreational opportunities, food, clothing and basic life skills training. Website.  

Covenant House - part of a national and international network providing emergency shelter, street outreach, transitional living program, drug, alcohol and mental health counselling and life-skills training. Website.

Downtown Community Court - does not have a separate website - the court brings together justice, health and social service agencies to help change criminal behaviour by addressing both the crime and its underlying causes. Website.

Embers - offers an array of affordable business supports designed to give people skills, confidence, and practical supports to plan, start and operate successful microenterprises. Website.

First United Church - an inner-city mission providing shelter and outreach services, including free solution-focused therapy, health services, personal hygiene such as showers and foot care, social support programs, food, and advocacy to anyone in need. Website.

Greater Vancouver Regional Steering Committee on Homelessness - is responsible for recommending projects funded by the federal government including the Metro Vancouver Homeless Count and organizes Homelessness Action Week in Metro Vancouver; the website provides a library of resources and a platform for the exchange of ideas for communities that are organizing to take action against homelessness. Website.

Greater Vancouver Shelter Strategy - regional network of agencies and all levels of government responding to meet the needs of people who are homeless or at risk; fact sheets, planning and other documents are available on the Website .

Katherine Sanford Housing Society - has licensed community residences and supported housing developments for people living with mental illness. Website.

Keeping the Door Open: Dialogues on Drug Use - a multi-stakeholder coalition serving as a resource to develop evidence-informed research to reform Canadian drug policy and prevent and reduce the harms associated with problematic substance use. Website.

Lookout Emergency Aid Society - offers emergency shelter, transitional and supportive housing and activities, and life skills programming to adults with significant challenges including mental illness, addictions, chronic health including HIV/AIDS, physical disabilities, social dysfunctions and legal concerns. Website.

Mental Health Commission of Canada - seeks an integrated, national mental health system through collaboration with governments, mental health service providers, employers, the scientific and research communities, and those living with mental illness and their caregivers. Website.

Mission Possible -  a Christian agency delivering safe and secure housing, a drop-in program, short-term counselling, a 12-step recovery group, Bible study, resume services, a job bank, computer classes, free haircuts, clothing, and referrals to appropriate social service agencies.  Website.

MPA - Motivation, Power & Achievement Society - provides housing and support services including emergency shelter beds, supportive housing, licensed housing, respite beds, SRO hotel outreach services, advocacy services and a community resource centre. Website.

PHS Community Services Society - provides social housing and support, focusing on people with chronic substance abuse issues or concurrent disorders; has a partnership with Vancouver Coastal Health operating North America’s first legal supervised facility site for injection drug users. Does not have a website.

Potluck Café & Catering - operates in the heart of the city serving hundreds of corporate and non-profit clients; revenue is invested back into its four community social programs: training and employment, meals, community kitchen and community outreach. Website.

Raincity Housing and Support Society - provides innovative, specialized housing and support services for people living with mental illness, addictions and other challenges. Website.

The Salvation Army - an international Christian organization providing a wide array of services in the DTES including addictions rehabilitation, meal programs, shelters, transitional housing and services for women and children suffering from domestic abuse. Website.

St. James Community Service Society - a social service agency providing guardianship, mental health services, home support, hospice, women and children’s services and supportive housing. Website.

Strathcona Mental Health Team - provides mental health services for older adults who are 65 and over in the DTES, including specialized assessment and consultation, treatment/case management and rehabilitation. Website.

Street Sisters Outreach - First Person stories of survivial & support from the Downtown Eastside...the Street Sisters are nine aboriginal women who have agreed to have their stories filmed as a legacy over one full year. Also offering tours of the Downtown Eastside. Website.

S.U.C.C.E.S.S. - a multicultural, multi-service agency that offers a wide range of services including social, health, employment services, business, economic development services, and training and education to Canadians and immigrants. Website. 

Union Gospel Mission - faith based organization providing street outreach, meals, shelters, drug and alcohol recovery, education and employment services, affordable housing, and children and family services. Website.

United We Can - has created hundreds of jobs through the collection of recyclables from local businesses, apartment complexes and special events using non-motorized foot and bicycle carts; also has a contract to collect recyclables during the Olympics from 200 designated areas providing about 70 additional jobs. Website.

Vancouver Aboriginal Friendship Centre Society - provides programs emphasizing the philosophies and values of Aboriginal culture and tradition in health and welfare, social services, human rights, culture, literacy and education, recreation and daycare services. Website.

Vancouver Aboriginal Transformative Justice Services Society - provides a culturally appropriate alternative to the criminal justice system for Aboriginal offenders to reconcile with those they have harmed and seeks positive integration of the offender and victim into the community. Does not have a website.

Vancouver Coastal Health Authority - government funded regional health service providing primary and hospital care, home support, mental health services and housing, addiction recovery, street outreach, HIV/AID treatment, and services for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered people. Website.

Vancouver Native Health Society - delivers medical and dental services, HIV/AIDS support, counselling and family social services, with an emphasis on providing care to the Aboriginal community. Website.

Vancouver Native Housing Society - a non-profit housing provider currently housing eight per cent of Vancouver’s Aboriginal population. Website.

Vancouver Police Department - a member of the Partners in Action program with the Province and non-profit operators of the government-owned single room occupancy hotels to ensure safe, secure housing environment for tenants. Website.

YWCA - provides a range of integrated services for women and their families, including Crabtree Corner Community Kitchen, literacy through Aboriginal tradition and mentorship for young Aboriginal girls; during the Olympics the YWCA Hotel is hosting an art exhibit of sport-themed paintings created by local artist Ken Wesman. Website.