January 15, 2015, Carnegie Newsletter

Page 1

<-

With: GeofF 5erner, Harmon~ ot Nations Drummers, Twin 5andit, Solidarit~ Notes Labour Choir, Vancouver Cjt~ Opera withJohanna Hauser, and the Creaking flanks!

Januar~

5t James

2+ 1:)0 )0) E

ova


The community rallied, there was a fundraiser in June 2012, and sufficient funds were realised from it & various sources so the sum total offunds (with a tight budget) got the paper through the Fall of2014. The Carnegie Newsletter is valued & needed in both the Downtown Eastside and in the larger struggle for socioeconomic justice. Resistance is the deep spirit river that all here draw from and on to keep our spirits strong. People are always amazed and inspired by the true feelings of These words are being put together with the hope that community throughout each separate aspect of struggles, the order they're in will ignite, convince, even inspire of the wars each of us fights in our own ways. Please help you to come to a fabulous fund-raising concert for a the voice of our lives & minds endure. We, too, have a crucial publication - Ye Olde Carnegie Newsletter! ) right to remain. The concert itself promises to be great entertainment Respectfully submitted, with an amazing line-up. Music. Drumming, comedy PAULR TAYLOR and stirring presentations. There'll be a Silent Auction Volunteer editor since 1986. going on, starting at 7pm when the doors will open. The Newsletter needs $11,000 a year to produce. The highlight is a framed print donated by Richard it -printing, volunteer tickets, stuff. Help in the Tetrault; be assured that it's the tip of a trove of some incredible treasures. Refreshments are available and Downtown Eastside, the free resource guide is no alcohol. over $3,000 each edition every 7-9 months. $15K All this is well worth the price of admission: $0-$20 is a chunk of change for a. few volunteers to raise just remember it is a fund raiser. . The Carnegie Newsletter began on August 15, 1986 every year, but hey! someone's gotta do it. as a 12-page paper in 60 copies. Now it's a twicemonthly 16-28 page effort in 1200 copies 23 times a year. Contents are writing, poetry & locally-created graphic art on matters that are part & parcel of life & living in the Downtown Eastside. Over the years this has included poverty, housing & homelessness, the drug trade, sex trade, "free" trade, violence against women and the ongoing saga of the murdered & missing women, street safety, legislated poverty & raising the rates, gentrification, renovictions, Native issues & aborigina genocide, totalitarian capitalism and gross mal-distribution of wealth, at-risk youth, the environment, families & children & more. Everything except the actual printing - writing, poetry, art, input, editing, layout, collation/stapling/folding & distribution - is and has always been done freely by volunteers. "Funding for the printing, volunteer tickets & petty cash came through that raised by the Carnegie Community Centre Association (having non-profit/charity status) and its gaming license .. i.e. bingo and casino revenues. Then, in 2011-2012, the Gaming Commission decided that the Newsletter was not a "program" and they wouldn't permit any of our gaming revenue to be used in its production.

(V'vtV1e

DOWNTOWN

EAS'TSIDE

JUNE 2014

*4r


February 4,5 and 6

•••

..",

For the DTES Homeless and Underhoused

~

.Y.Pto Volunteerfor .•.

HomeGround 201 &!


STATEMENT FROM LIBBY DAVIES After almost 40 years of public service and elected office, it's time for me to call it a day. Ihave worked hard as the Member of Pari iament for Vancouver East for the last 18 years & I know it's time for me to pass the torch. Iwill not be seeking re-election in the next federal election. It has been the most extraordinary experience to represent the people of Vancouver East. I have loved my work both in the community & in Ottawa and I thank the good folks of east Vancouver who elected me six times as their representative. Over the years, I have taken on tough issues like the need for drug policy reform and Iremember being told, "You'll never get re-elected if you take on issues like this" But the people of east Vancouver have stood by me. Ideeply appreciate how they have placed their support and confidence in me throughout my many years in office. I am tremendously proud of the work that I have been able to accomplish as part of the NDP team, and to have served as House Leader and Deputy Leader. Iam confident it will be a another New Democrat from Vancouver East who will join Tom Mu\cair in Ottawa after the next federal election and, with such a strong team and experienced & committed leader, we will form the first federal social democratic government in Canada's history. Libby [Elizabeth!}

In Memory of a friend Valory Olive Craske passed away peacefully at the Yale town House in ancouver Dec. 18,2015. Originally from Weyburn Saskatchewan, Yalory was known and loved by many in her adopted community of the Downtown Eastside of Vancouver. She was dedicated to contributing to her community and many a positive difference in many lives, whether it was through handing out cookies and smiles on the street, serving regular lunches from her own resources for "her boys", working for the Neighbourhood Helpers Project at the Downtown Eastside Seniors Centre or serving as an active Director of both Mavis McMullen Housing Society and Bridge Housing Society for Women. Valory leaves behind close friends and colleagues who will carry her in their hearts. EW

Come and sing with the

CARNEGIE CHOIR! Saturdays 6:30 - 9:30 PM Sundays 2:30 - 5:30 PM Jan. 17,to May 17, 2014 Classroom 2 (3rd Floor)

EVERYONE WELCOME!


We're all on Ihis together,

new , sol iqGirity choir c.);

v.... ,lic, "',I:)!-:t tu ',inq aj"j.:\

560/fO

weeks (I)c)body

'i .... ')C12l!

tWIJCcl

'u';t!·.:e

.:jvvCiY)

St~!""llf")~J -'rue:s )~ll')L'q~'Y15

'7-11::30 P /\'\ StrqthC()r)~1 CC)tTirr1Uf")ity; C:c!'}ttc 601

rnrc) and

5 JANUARY 13, 7 pm: The Strathcona Solidarity choir starts up again at Strathcona Community Centre, 601 Keefer. If you like to sing music in support of people's struggles for social justice, fair working conditions and wages, this is the choir for you! The focus is on music that can be easily learned; the fee is $60 for 10 weeks, or $6 dropin.

reqls"tl<~lti()n:6C)4-,··,7·f~)-··'ft33B

JANUARY 15, 7:30 pm: InChoiring Minds, a great local community choir, starts again at Mount Pleasant Neighbourhood House, You don't need to be an experienced singer or to read music ...practice CDs are provided. The conductor doesn't yell! The suggested donation for the I3-week session is $80, but nobody is . turned away for lack of funds.

JANUARY 16, 7:30 pm: Beats on Broadway, the local acoustic open stage coffee house, will take place at Mount Pleasant Nghbrhd House, 800 E Broadway. The feature this month is banjo player Kate Semple. If you'd like to sign up to play, best to get there between 7 and 7:30 ...we tend to fill up!


Hon. Rich Coleman Minister Responsible for Housing Room 128, Parliament Buildings Victoria, BC V8V lX4 Dear Minister Coleman:

December 30, 2014

-I write you today follow up regarding the proposed sale of the Stamps Place housing development. Further to my four previous letters and my Questions on Notice in the Legislature to which I have not received a response to date, I would like to once again seek clarification on the following matters related to the future of Stamps Place, as these issues have been raised with me on several occasions by many constituents. 1) How many people in Stamps Place are currently receiving subsidies in both the short & long- term? What is the rate of subsidy? 2) What is the current mix of income at Stamps Place now? How many are low-income residents (i.e. deep core or core need) and how many are moderate-income residents? Are there any units that are rented at market rate? 3) Beyond the impact for the existing tenants, could you please also confirm whether the proposed sale will change the rate and ratio of subsidies provided to this development, and if so, what is the forecast change in the subsidy rates and ratios? 4) What conditions or covenants will be placed on the site & buildings to ensure they remain as non-profit housing in perpetuity? 5) Will the Ray-Cam Co-operative Community Centre lands and parking lot remain in perpetuity as an amenity for the community? 6) Will the current cost-sharing (70% FederallProvincial & 30% City of Vancouver) for utility, janitorial and maintenance costs be maintained? If not, what is the proposed cost-sharing structure? 7) With the sale of Stamps Place, will the projected $50M be re-invested in the development of social housing? If yes, what percentage of the re-investment will be dedicated for those with deep core or core need? Will any of the proceeds from the sale of Stamps Place be re-invested at Stamps? Has any of the projected $50M been corn mitted to other projects? I f so, how much and which project? 8) In the event that a current tenant vacates the unit, will the future operator be able to rent the unit at market rent a higher RGI rate in order to meet costs of upgrading, repairs, and mortgage? If the operator could change the mix oftenants, how will BC Housing ensure that the units remain housing for low-income residents (i.e. deep core or core need)? Will this lead to the loss of low income housing at the lowest level? 9) Are there any: plans for re-development of the site at Stamps Place? What proportion of land (if any) will be made available for new infill construction for modest market and market rates respectively? 10) Will the level of financial support provided by the government to the non-profit operator change as a result of the sale? 11) Upon full repayment of the mortgage, will the non-profit operator be able to sell the property? Ifso, would they be able to sell it to a for-profit operator? 12) Are there any provisions to ensure that the tenants have input in the current transfer & in future plans Stamps Place? Will there be a written agreement for tenant input? What is the consultative plan beyond the initial notification of change to the tenants? 13) Which party will be held accountable if the housing is in a state of bad repair? 14) What action will govt take to deal with the issue that all these properties are on unceded indigenous land? In addition to the questions above, I'd very much appreciate if you could also provide the following information: 1) List of all renovations & maintenance and a list of the deferred maintenance the deferred maintenance?

projects to Stamps Place that have been completed in the past 5 years for the Stamps Place. Could you also advise of the projected cost of


7

2) Results from core samples taken from parking lot at 512 Campbell Street and at Ray- Cam Co-operative Community Centre this past November 3 and 4. 3) The business plan for the proposed sale indicating how proceeds of the sale will be invested. 4) List of all government-owned properties being offered for sale to non-profits for housing. 5) The current operating agreement and the proposed operating agreement to non-profit operators bidding for, Stamps Place? 6) List of the social housing units that the government has created in the last year? Thank you in advance for your attention on this important matter and I look forward to your response.

Sincerely,

Shayne Ramsay, CEO, BC Housing )avid Eby, Opposition Spokesperson for Housing


. Self-appointed Rights of Insensitivity Satire: to ridicule or scorn Freedom of expression: to utter what one chooses no matter the consequences Provocation: an inane compulsion to satirize Retaliation: a freedom of expression

Garry Gust

Happy 35th Year!

1.

Keep Your Friends Close, But keep Your Enemies Closer Channel 177 Sun News is an extreme Right Wing propaganda machine for Canadian Capitalists. They hate the CBC, they hate David Suzuki, and lately they've started a hate campaign against Justin Trudeau. They hate Burnaby Mountain protesters. They hate any protesters who strive to save the planet, so that their Sun TV masters can gain more and more profits. Once a week, we should all switch to channel 177 Sun News to keep track of their hatred, which is an almost prefect reversal of the Third Reich.

Garry Gust

The Carnegie Community Centre turns 35 on Tuesday, January 20,2015. To celebrate this milestone I encourage you to check out at least one of the many programs that Carnegie has to offer - especially one that you have not tried before! Pick up a Program Guide from the display near the main reception desk to find something that interests you. There is plenty to choose from: yoga. First Nations Cultural Sharing, ballroom dancing, drawing, bingo for Seniors, pickleball, choir, a weight room, two pool tables (1 snooker & 1 8-ball), two writing groups, a room of computers, tutors to help with almost any subject and much, much more. All this for only a dollar a year! Which reminds me: Have you purchased your 2015 membership card yet? One special event that you definitely do not want to miss is the Story-Telling evening that has been organised by Sharon Kravitz. People who have been paid staff, volunteers and part of Camegie Centre over the last 35 years have been invited to share their memories with us. The event will be held on Tuesday, January 20th from 7:00 to 9:00pm, on the rd floor. Refreshments will be served and everyone is welcome to attend. By LISADAVID


I I I I I I i I

celebrate 35 years of the carnegie Community Centre

come share you r carnegie memories :I with us on Tuesday January 20th!

Join us on the 2nd floor

and hear some stories

from the old days ... From 7-9pm

I

J


~,

From the LibrarY It might sound like a morbid topic to begin the New Year with, but Near Death Experience (NDE) can be a really hopeful and fascinating subject. Today (Jan. IS) at 11am in the Carnegie Theatre two leaders, Ross Waddell and Nina Shoroplova from the Vancouver section of the International Association for Near Death Studies are presenting stories and research from people who have literally "seen the light at the end of the tunne\." If you can't make the lecture, VPL has many books on NDE & these items are here at Carnegie:

Glimpsing Heaven: The stories and science of life after death by Judy Bachrach (133.9 B 12g), is a recent book by an investigative journalist. Bachrach accumulated stories from those who experienced clinical death, as well as observations from the doctors and nurses present, and scientists who are trying to understand the patterns. She acknowledges the lifechanging joy behind such phenomenon. Heaven isfor Real (236.2 B96h) by Todd Burpo, has recently been made into a movie. The book is catalogued in the religion section because a four-year old boy and son of a pastor loses consciousness during an emergency, and shares a story of entering heaven when he is revived and the people he meets. The story is endearing, hopeful and mysterious.

Proof of Heaven. A neurosurgeon's journey into the afterlife by Eben Alexander (133.9 A37p), is an exciting read because a skeptical doctor is plunged into NDE debates after he experiences a medical miracle when his brain is attacked by a rare illness. He recalls a magical journey and divine beings, which forces him to address beliefs regarding heaven and the soul.

STATEMENT FROM THE NDP ON THE INTER路 AMERICAN COMMISSION ON HUMAN RIGHTS REPORT ON

MISSING AN路D MURDERED INDIGENOUS WOMEN IN BRITISH COLUMBIA The Official opposition critic for aboriginal affairs, Jean Crowder (Nanaimo-Cowichan) made the following statement: Today's report from Inter-American Commission on Human Rights says that the "disappearances and murders of indigenous women in Canada are part of a broader pattern of violence and discrimination against indigenous women in Canada." The Commission reiterates calls for a national inquiry into missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls and for the government to comprehensively address the underlying factors that exacerbate the violence against Indigenous women. It is time for the Prime Minister and Minister Bernard Valcourt to stop ignoring the sociological phenomenon of missing and murdered Indigenous women and take federal action to address the crisis. In Canada, Aboriginal women are seven times more likely to be murdered than non-Aboriginal women. This is unacceptable. The Conservatives need to accept that this violence is systemic and we need to deal with the underlying causes. It is unconscionable for the Conservatives to continue to ignore the growing demands for action and an inquiry."

JANUARY 24, 7:30 pm: There will be a fabulous

As well, another reminder that the Main & Hastings Book Club meet-up is on Tuesday January 20th at

fundraising concert for the Carnegie Newsletter at St James Anglican Church, 303 E Cordova, featuring GeoffBerner, Twin Bandit, Vancouver City Opera with clarinettist Johanna Hauser, Harmony of Nations drummers, the Creaking Planks and the Solidarity Notes Labour Choir. Tickets are $0-$20 and can be purchased at the door or in advance at

IO:30am in the Classroom on level 3. We'll have another round of sharing and recommending favourite books and authors! Your librarian, Natalie

Refreshments will be served by donation, and there will also be a silent auction in support of this great publication, which has been the voice of the Downtown East Side for 28 years.

http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/1148015


NEWS FROM OPPENHEIMER PARK Featured weekly programs • •

Art program: Oppen-arts Studio (Thursdays, workshop 10:30-1 :00, open studio 2:30-4:30) Kids & parents program: Inside Out (Saturdays, 11 :00-1 :00)

Special programs • Foodmentary project: Tuesdays, 1:00-2:00 Bring your own food stories and participate in an in-camera interview! The completed film will be scr.eened at the HomeGround Festival. •

Cooking it DTES Style - HomeGround Cooking Contest: Tuesday, January 13,20 and 27, Starts at 2:00 The DTES Cook Off will be a gameshow-like cook off between 4 park patrons competing for prize money. The winner will also get to cook for a City of Vancouver event in the summer (please follow up with Carrie/Sandy on this one). The game will be every Tuesday from 2:00-3 :30. Contestants will have 20 minutes to shop for ingredients at the market under a budget and will base these ingredients on the chosen dish for that day. Each Tuesday the contestants will be presented a dish they have to make into their own style i.e Chicken and rice, Steak and potatoes ... etc. If you are interested in participating as a chef, please sign up at the Park. Otherwise please come and cheer on the chefs! There will also be skill testing questions for the audience to win prizes.

• Sushi Making Workshop: Saturday, January 24, 2 workshops 1:30-2:30,2:30-3 :30 Learn how to make California rolls and nigiri sushi from Oppenheimer Park's in-house sushi chefYasushi shima! Space is limited; please sign up in advance at Oppenheimer Park.

Kura

Park's Monthly Birthday Party: Thursday, January 29 at 3pm

Oppenheimer Park would like to share one of our volunteers, Yasushi Kurashima's speech made at our Christmas Dinner. Yasushi started VOlunteering at the Park early 2014 & has been preparing sushi platters for many of our events and programs. At the Dinner, he shared his experience as a volunteer. Oppenheimer Park is thankful for Yasushi's presence and spirit! This year has been the best year of my life. This is because I got involved in Oppenheimer Park & Carnegie Community Centre community. Especially, you - DTES community members' & Oppenheimer Park staff members' friendliness, heart-warming hospitality, and positive attitude moved me a lot. I am very thankful to become a part of Oppenheimer Park family and I finally found the joy of living after retirement. This year was also special as the tent city protest occurred at the Park. I respect the way the City of Vancouver and Carnegie Community Centre handled this situation & resolved without any violence. Finally, I would like to share this word with other Oppenheimer Park volunteers: "the joy of being appreciated." I believe the joy produces our happiness and sharing the joy will help us overcome the difficulties. I believe this attitude will resolve any conflicts & will build peaceful community. This is what I call Oppenheimer Park spirit and what I learned through volunteering at the Park! Thank you very much and Happy Holidays!

Join us on facebook - Oppenheimer Park - DTES Communities' Back Yard Oppenheimer Park I 488 Powell Street I 604-253-8830


Metro Vancouver Alliance (MV A) Update EVERY MEMBER OF THE CARNEGIE COMMUNITY CENTRE ASSOCIATION is invited to attend the following Metro Vancouver Alliance events and meetings. Please mark your calendars to come to the Transit Forum on January 27th (please RSVP on the website http://metvanalliance.nationbuilder.com)', you can pick a Team to join, and also you can come to the DTES MV A Caucus meeting on February 6th. The 9 hr. Leadership Training on January 30th and 31 st is also FREE for ALL CARNEGIE COMMUNITY CENTRE members. Tuesday, January 27, 2015 at 06:00 PM

Holy Trinity Cathedral Hall in New Westminster,

BC

Transit Forum The Metro discussing community es. Transit

Vancouver Alliance invites you and members of your community to our first transit forum. We'll be the upcoming transit and transportation plebiscite and working in groups to build relationships in the and develop strategies to campaign. It's important to everyone in the region that this referendum passservice is suffering and this is our opportunity for increased funding.

Friday, January 30,2015

at 07:00 PM through January 31 Capilano University Library in North Vancouver, BC

Leadership Training Note: 1 evening plus 1 day training takes place Friday Jan 30, 7 to 9 PM & Saturday Jan 31 9:30am- 3:30pm. The training is for those who share an interest in strengthening civil society and working together for the common good. Part of the training experience will be working with other community leaders from diverse institutions on the universals of broad based community organizing. This is FREE FOR ALL CARNEGIE COMMUNITY CENTRE members. Lunch is provided on Saturday. RSVP at: http://metvanalliance.nationbuilder.com RSVP on the website http://metvanalliance.nationbuilder.com to attend anyone of these Team meetings. Because of the time commitment we suggest you pick just one Team to serve on. Full descriptions are on the website. Wednesday,

February 04, 2015 at 06:30 PM

Gordon Neighbourhood

House in Vancouver, BC

Transit Team Meeting The transit team will be working on a campaign to encourage people to Tote to pass the transit referendum; advocating for affordable transit in the region for all; and organizing MV A forums (first one is Jan. 27 - see note above) on transportation issues before and after the referendum. The transit team meets Wednesdays as often as needed during the transit referendum campaign and monthly thereafter. Thursday,

February 05, 2015 at 07:00 PM

Gordon Neighborhood

House in Vancouver, BC

Poverty Team Meeting The Poverty Team meets the first Thursday of every month to work on MV A's poverty campaign, and to ensure Vancouver's municipal government lives up to their commitment to make Vancouver a living wage city. Thursday, February

12,2015 at 06:30 PM

St. Augustine's Church in Vancouver,

BC, Canada

Housing Team Meeting The team will be working on ways to support MVA's housing campaign and hold Vancouver's municipal government to their commitments to a) making covenants a component in all new developments, and b) strengthening, enforcing and extending by-laws which ensure decent standards of maintenance and protect tenants from renovictions. The housing team meets the 2nd Thursday of the month. MV A DTES Caucus (4 meetings per year): DTES members of the MVA will meet again on Friday, February 6th at 6:30 pm at Jacob's Well (239 Main St.) Food provided, EVERY MEMBER OF CARNEGIE COMMUNITY CENTRE is invited to attend. Please RSVP to Pat McSh~rry, Board Member, 604 687 6844 or patmcsherry@telus.net because Jacob's Well needs to know numbers fer the food. Also, I will send you the notes from the last 2 meetings.


The RITUAL of a Single Year So another year has come and gone they seem to get shorter am I right or am I wrong the seasons change almost as much as the landscape, premature blues have me 'in a bind' I watch streets get rearranged as I slowly lose my mind from the bottom to the top there is no escape, the Progress Enforcement Committee can make us bleed but we won't cry every fist thrown at us is just another reason why we the poor will survive your abuse, like laying the groundwork between your teeth for a new set of lies yet to come all poverty people shall reignite the fires that meld us into one your selfishist ways will I hope be of no use, each new year we are told of good things to come but the only changes we see is in your income while minimum wage lifers pay more for less, another year of being told what is best for us I'd rather be out walking than waiting half an hour for a fully-packed bus there are only so many truths I can confess, soon the rich will have their unsecret service police force full of bravado brutality and their sworn loyalty to only use deadly force just asking for directions will be punishable by death, They will claim the universe is their very own backyard going for a night time walk by yourself could be more than a little dangerous catching all those itchy trigger fingers off guard could make quite a mess, dilapidated buildings will be our new playgrounds with special rooms from which there can be crying & screaming but outside you won't hear a sound such unknown pleasures we will have plenty to fill up At QuickEndings 'R Us there will be a wide assortment from which to choose soon being outside when the sun is out might be a serious crime, like an Emotion Disaster Area with $30 an hour workers standing all around no work being done cuz they drink their coffee by the pound time flies when nothing productive is deemed ajob well done, look up then down 'in the sky why it's Superstition Man avoiding any distress 'It's a new year and he has other plans like only looking after Number One If 20 15 is the year this planet explodes do not feel bad our stories let alone this universe will continue to unfold we are curious creatures of habits just waiting to begin again, so I will shed not a single tear as for everyone else I beg of you to find it in your hearts to at least try to have a good new year & avoid activities that coerce mass depression I truly hope that your be-

ginnings come complete with a very far off yet enjoyable end. By ROBERT McGILLIVRA Y "Reading is to the mind what exercise is to the body." -Sir Richard Steele

Review: Who Stole the Spirit of the Carnegie

- Christmas Edition. This play was originally part of the Heart of the City Festival. I couldn't see it at that time, so I was thrilled to hear that an encore would be presented on Christmas Eve with a Christmas twist, written by authors lim Dewar and Adrienne McCaIIum. The play is written in a 1950's detective style, think Mickey Spillane or Ross MacDonald. The detective Nick Grant played with gusto by Mike McNeeley wanders through the various rooms and departments of the Carnegie Centre looking for a woman whose picture he has seen. The action of the play is set up by the narrator off stage with the action and dialogue taking place on stage. We visit the weight room, the pool room, the art room, a hilarious board meeting which captures exactly how boring these meetings can really be, as well as other nooks and crannies of our beloved Carnegie. ' A number of scenes had me busting a gut laughing . • Especially the scene where Nick Grant tries to order a cheeseburger from the cafeteria on a day not Tuesday! Christmas eve being on a Thursday last year this was impossible, as any Carnegie regular would know. There were lots of jokes for Camegie regulars like the scene about the fast elevator, where the unfortunate Nick has a run in with some locals, trips to the smoking patio with a mooching Alfredo Hastings and other inside jokes that had members of the audience falling off their chairs (although it was Christmas eve so there may have been another cause.) The narrator was an important part of the production, and Roger Stuart kept things moving along at a good pace and provided a number of laughs. The actors seemed to be enjoying themselves which went a long way toward making the audience enjoy themselves too. I think the play should be a regular production at the Camegie theatre. The script is great & with a bit more rehearsal this little gem could really shine. I really enjoyed it! I hope they can do it again. By 10 McRobb


CLUNK~N£w

YcAR-

cltes 2015 ~R.i GETTING-

P£OPI.~

-(0 I.AU6H IN

TH'S

~I''''t.yIr1PoV£R,s"'£Il, NEJ6H8oURHOO'D.

"SNIFFL£


W

~MÂŁN

TRANSFORMNG C TES.~g

I

Women Transforming Cities (WTC) is an organisation of women, girls & allies working together to make our cities work for everyone. In pulling together over 20 Cafes in neighbourhoods across the Lower Mainland, we have heard the key priorities for women & girls living in cities. We have learned, with our community partners, event participants, and through our national conference that cities must put an equity/intersectionallens on their policies, programs & finances. Our goal is to transform our cities through community engagement, inclusive policies and equitable representation. Intersectionality: Another word for equity & diversity. When we talk about equity & intersectionality in policymaking, we are talking about recognising women & girls as a diverse group who have distinct & varying needs.(we are & we do.) For example, policies may impact women & girls differently based on their education, age, race, income, class, immigration status, ability or sexual orientation. This broad framework is needed for policy development & evaluation. Data must be collected that reflects the diversity of women & girls and their needs. Aboriginal initiatives: Transforming the experiences of Aboriginal women & girls. Require leaders & all those who interact & work directly or indirectly with Aboriginal women & girls to develop culturally safe approaches to services. Review the core funding requirements of services specifically for Aboriginal women & girls and enhance their compatibility with Aboriginal approaches to social development strategies. Ensure funding requirements emphasize program sustainability. Award grants to increase the number of culture, community . identity & capacity building projects that are run by Aboriginal women & girls. Environment: Make 'green' work for everyone. Green initiatives such as recycling, composting, buying local & reducing energy consumption are important to the earth & future generations. In the home much f the 'green' work is done by women & girls. Out in the community the

interests of women & girls are often overlooked. Create 'Green' policies that include all women's work & responsiblities. Increase women's & girls' access to recreation & community centres & playing fields, including dedicated spaces & programs. Immigrant women: Strengthening the commitment to diversity & inclusiveness for newcomer women& girls. Having access to essential socia services is crucial to ensuring the safety & well-being of non-status, refugee & immigrant girls & women. Make Vancouver a Sanctuary City for all women & girls regardless of immigration status. Appoint an advocate to highlight important issues & solutions for newcomers & engage their participation in the decision-making process. Violence against women & girls must stop. Zero tolerance. Vancouver is known internationally for the prevalence of violence against women, particularly against Aboriginal women. Anti-violence policies & programs are critically needed to keep women & girls of all ages safe. Adequate, affordable housing. A basic right. Generate a housing strategy that addresses the distinctive & diverse housing & homeless circumstances of women & girls, such as vulnerability to violence, income inequality & family responsibilities. Implement sustainable low-income housing options thaffocus on women and children Request that federal & provincial governments reinvest resources toward housing strategy development & housing supply & maintenance with a focus on supporting the diverse housing needs of women & girls. There is much more to learn, discuss and work to implement; areas like transit, quality & affordable childcare, wages, work & the fostering of young women in working for change. Womentransformingcities.org is a good place to get involved.


~r

~~=J ~~~~~~~-~:~~0~;-'~~

We acknowledge that Carnegie Communi~ Centre: and

THIS NEWSLETIER IS A PUBLICATION OF THE CARNEGIE COMMUNITY CENTRE ASSOCIATION Articles represent the views of individual contributors and not of the Association. WANTED Artwork for the Carnegie Newsletter

• •

• • • •

• •

• •

"Never doubt that a small group ofthoughtful committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has." -Margaret Meade Next issue: SUBMISSION DEADLINE

THURSDAY JANUARY 29TH

Small illustrations to accompany articles and poetry. Cover art - Max size: 17cm(6 %")wide x 15cm(6')high. Subject matter pertaining to issues relevant to the Downtown Eastside, but all work considered. Black & White printing only. Size restrictions apply (i.e. if your piece is too large, it will be reduced and/or cropped to fit). All artists will receive credit for their work. Originals will be returned to the artist after being copied for publication. Remuneration: Carnegie Volunteer Tickets

Jenny Wai Ching Kwan MLA WOrking for You '1070 - 1641 Commercial Dr, V5L 3Y3 Pbooe;004-775-0790

Please make submissions to Paul Taylor, Editor. The editor can edit for clarity, format & brevity, but not at the expense of the writer's message.

COMPUTER ADVICE , Vancouver Community Network Cost-effective computer & IT support for non-profits VCN Tech Team http://techteam.vcn.bc.ca Call 778·724-0826 ext2. 705-333 Terminal Ave, Van

WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION • • • • • •

.AIDS POVERTY HOMELESSNESS VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN TOTALITARIAN CAPITALISM IGNORANCE and SUSTAINED FEAR

(Publication is possible only with now·necessary donations.) DONATIONS 2015 Terry & Savannah ·$100 Michele C.-$100 Leslie S.-$100 Bob & Muggs -$100 Catherine C.-$100 Glenn B.-$200 Vancouver Moving Theatre -$100 Harold & Sharron 0.-$100 Usa -$50 Michael C.-$100 Eleanor B.-$50 Cindy L.-$200

Vancouver's non-commercial, listener supported community station.

~<


Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.