On Friday, March 29 we were part of the official opening event for the first of two modular housing projects in Chilliwack. It really does take a village to make changes and only by working together can we address crucial issues like addressing homelessness. All levels and types of government, people throughout the community sharing …
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Spring has sprung – and so has our new website!
Welcome to our new website! Our last site launched in 2008, along with our new name and logo. Back then we had eight different programs all operating in Vancouver. Now we provide 24 unique programs and services and we do this in over ten municipalities. So we’re really happy we have a new site that …
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We’re opening up a Shelter in Gibsons on Dec 12!
The shelter will have space for 15 beds and be open from 6 p.m. until 8 a.m. We will have a dedicated phone line for the shelter, 604-989-9314, and our staff able to respond to inquiries round the clock. We want to provide meals, and have created an online sign-up for community members who want …
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The Jubilee Rooms Reopens its Doors
We are very happy to be reopening the Jubilee rooms and being able to move people indoors and into safer and more secure accommodation than they’ve had for a long time. At the opening a number of people wanted to know why we’re excited about this new project. “When people move indoors, and they’re connected …
Using Google Streetview to see what’s changed, and what can be done!
Today we’ve launched our campaign vancouverstreetview.ca, an interactive site where you can see how homelessness has increased in the Greater Vancouver Area. The technology allows users to toggle between Google Street View images taken in the last four years and see how the number of people identifying as homeless has increased across Metro Vancouver. The initiative …
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Our Overdose Prevention Site is open!
Earlier in May we opened a new overdose prevention site — the only such site connected to a hospital in the province, and the only spot in Vancouver outside the Downtown Eastside where people can use drugs with clean equipment under the supervision of trained professionals and peers. They can even have their drugs tested for fentanyl …
Our Sechelt Shelter moves to a Hostel
The communities on the Sunshine Coast keep on giving and giving. Last month the owner of the Upper Deck Hostel offered the space (larger than the current shelter) as a shelter until permanent housing is built.It opened a week early due to the cold snap, so there’s still work to be done. But it feels …
Announcing our Clinical ICM Team! What does ICM mean, again?
On April 1 RainCity will begin operating a Clinical Intensive Case Management (ICM) Team in Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows. This Housing First outreach team will assist people in locating places to live that are a little more affordable while building and maintaining relationships with landlords. There are 40 rent supplements that help ensure folks can …
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A Peer’s Perspective in the Downtown Eastside
RainCity Housing is excited to announce we are partnering with Vancouver Coastal Health to embed peers in nine care teams in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside. The peers will be hired, managed and supported by us at RainCity and hired over the next few months. RainCity defines Peers as people who are representative of the diverse population …
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3030 Gordon is OPEN!!
All the rumors are true! Thanks to the amazing crew at Ventana Construction, the building was completed on time, which means that this week we were able to begin moving folks from the mat shelter currently set up at the Alliance Church directly into our shelter! The Tri-Cities News had a tour before we opened …
Are you a superhero?
The theme for Vancouver’s Pride this year is Gender Superheroes and for the first time at RainCity, a specific program (both tenants and staff) put together our Parade entry – our LGBTQ2S* Housing for Youth! The amazing folks living at and involved in this project are inspiring, courageous, strong, and really, really funny; all the …
Vancouver’s DTES just got a little better.
We are so excited to announce that women and families have begun moving into our newest building, the Budzey. Both unique to the Downtown Eastside and to RainCity Housing, the Budzey has 105 units of housing for women (trans* and cis), and 41 units for women led families. Below is a view of the north …
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3030 Gordon Ave May 2015 Update!
Welcome back! The official event in April went off without a hitch, and we just squeezed in all the speakers before the first train went by. Many guests came to show their support of the project, including all three Mayors from the Tri-Cities. Sean and Bill also presented a delegation to Port Moody Mayor and …
It’s now even easier to donate to RainCity!
We’ve just launched our direct donation page and we really like it. Why? Because it’s not only super easy for you to use, but now each donation goes directly into our accounts on the same day! That means the money can make changes for folks faster than ever before. Plus, you’ll get your tax receipt …
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Newsflash! How to learn about Housing First – and quick!
It’s all right here! Well, actually right here, where today we’ve officially launched our ‘Housing First: Principles to Practice’ toolkit, a workshop that explains in nuanced ways what the Housing First model is and how it works. On that page you’ll find the five videos, each one explaining one of the five principles of Housing …
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To house, or not to house – that is the question!
A simple question. With complex and heartfelt answers. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Zlr3aXhozA The video clip above and the pictures below are to give you just a taste of the original, honest and at times hilarious production of ‘Much Ado About Something!’ You have not seen anything else like this before and you only have until October 16 – …
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It’s time to make some space!
We are ready to take our first physical steps to address homelessness in Coquitlam. Over the next few weeks, crews will be clearing the trees at 3030 Gordon in Coquitlam so construction can start in September/October for our newest building. In order to lessen the environmental footprint, trees will be assessed for milling and potential …
Together we can end one of the last acceptable stigmas in Vancouver
It’s up and running! And we love it! The Open Your Heart website invites you to be curious, think about how we interact in the world, and start addressing one of the last socially acceptable stigmas — mental illness. Click on ‘support’ or ‘accept’ and watch what happens to the people’s lives on screen. Mental …
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Do you live generously?
“You are better than no one,” the minstrel had proclaimed, “and no one’s better than you.” — Bob Dylan If you’ve spent time reading comments below online news articles, or overheard conversations in coffee shops, or even been presented with throw away phrases at social gatherings, one would get the impression that the general public …
How can you protect someone who’s “invisible”?
On the eve of International Women’s day and the week before Vancouver’s annual homeless count, the federal government tabled a report entitled \”Invisible Women: A Call to Action\”. It wasn’t received well by aboriginal groups and the opposition parties who wanted a national inquiry in to the murdered and missing women across Canada. In December …
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Telling your story is so important.
Is it time for a new evolution of wise storytelling? We think it is. Stories that challenge the way we think about mental illness. Stories that give a human perspective on the facts. Facts like: In any given year, 1 in 5 Canadians experiences a mental health problem or illness. Up to 70% of young …
Hello Mount Pleasant!
Please join us at one of this week’s Open Houses for the Biltmore Hotel. At these sessions we hope to get valuable input from people on how we can make this housing program an important part of Mount Pleasant and find ways to work together on how it intersects with the community. The two Open …
NEWS — New Evolution of Wise Storytelling!
In collaboration with the Community Action Initiative and our community partners, RainCity Housing and Support Society has launched a project called NEWS – New Evolution of Wise Storytelling. The goal of NEWS is to create opportunities for community members and media creators to come together to create inclusive and supportive stories about mental health, as …
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LGBTQ2S+ housing for youth!
Transgender and gender non-conforming people are much more likely to be experiencing poverty or homeless than the average person, almost twice as many as the general population. Discrimination or harassment from service providers, or rejection from their families and gender segregated shelters can all lead to ending up on the street. This can also impact …
We know that volunteers rock, so come out and rock with us!
Join us at the FIRST EVER Downtown Eastside Women’s Rock Camp! Your all time favourite Girls Rock Camp Vancouver has partnered with our first ever DTES Women’s Rock Camp. And we are REALLY excited! But we need your help. Volunteers are needed for some or all of the days of the camp. And the deadline …
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“…something right is happening.”
That’s what Executive Director Mark Smith said when he was asked by CNN about how Vancouver (and RainCity Housing) is addressing homelessness. He was referring to how many more people were inside — almost 80% more — when comparing the numbers from the latest Metro Vancouver Homelessness Count (2011) to the count that was done …
International Women’s Day is Good News
Good news! It’s the 101st International Women’s Day, and there are many ways to celebrate. You can attend the City of Vancouver’s Remarkable Women event this evening, or the Women in Film Festival that starts today, and many others. Bad news — last week the Metro Vancouver Homelessness Count released their final numbers, and while …
A snapshot of homelessness
Last week the preliminary numbers were released from the Metro Vancouver Homeless Count 2011, and if you haven’t already heard there were a number of surprises. For the first time since the count began in 2002 there was a decrease, albeit a small one, in the overall numbers (1%) and a big decrease in unsheltered …
The FYI on YPI
What are they teaching kids in school these days? Would you believe me if I told you they might be learning about social awareness and how to give back to the community? It’s true! The Youth and Philanthropy Initiative, or YPI, has been part of the high school curriculum (usually grade ten) here in Canada …
The women at Vivian want their stories heard.
A few weeks ago there was an article with the women living at the Vivian, because it was important to find out what they thought and if they wanted to share their side of the story. The women living at the ‘Viv’ arranged a meeting to express their concerns about the article, and two of …
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Survival, Strength, Sisterhood: Power of Women in the Downtown Eastside
From it’s small, difficult start to the important and internationally recognized event that it is today, the 20 years of the memorial march is eloquently shown by film makers Alejandro Zuluaga and Harsha Walia. Please share the short film widely. Watch the film.
It’s all about trust
Our Executive Director Mark Smith spoke with CTV about the success of the VPD’s Outreach Program, and that the key factor is building trust. Read the story.
Homelessness is not a Choice
An Emily Carr University student created this years ago. We love it, and want to thank the student. If you recognize the work, please ask the artist to contact us so we can include their name here. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q-fJGuv3C3Y
Sean speaks with CKNW
Sean Spear, our Director of Support Services, speaks with Jill Bennett on CKNW about the temporary shelter on East Broadway, why it’s located in that neighbourhood and who it’s serving. Listen to the interview.
Sean Spear on CKNW
Our Director of Support Services, Sean Spear, speaks with Jill Bennett of CKNW’s Weekend News about the Provincial Government’s Assistance to Shelter Act, and the impact it will have on the homeless. Listen to the interview.
The Homelessness Panel reconvenes
At the tail end of Homelessness Action Week CBC Radio One’s ‘On The Coast’ brings together Laura Track from Pivot, Coast Mental Health’s ED Darrell Burnham and our very own Mark Smith to discuss what’s being done and what still needs to be done to address homelessness in Metro Vancouver. Listen to the panel.
Mark Smith on BC Almanac
Our Executive Director speaks with Mark Forsythe on CBC Radio’s BC Almanac about what it might be like if the authorities had the power to compel the homeless living on the street to stay at shelters during extreme weather conditions. Listen to the interview.
Briony shares her Story
A group of youth filmmakers displaying an amazing amount of courage, together with YouthCO and the help of the National Film Board of Canada, have assembled a number of stories of how at-risk youth can play it safe. After staying at our Granville Shelter, Briony was able to find her own accommodation. Watch Briony’s story.
Forgotten Women share their stories
In the August issues of Chatelaine Magazine, ‘Dianne’, a tenant at the Vivian shares her story, and Manager Amelia Ridgway talks about the respectful way staff work with tenants. View the article.