As the holiday season continues and the year draws to an end, all of us at the Downtown Eastside Women’s Centre (DEWC) extend our heartfelt gratitude for the generosity shown this season. From organizing donation drives, collecting much-needed essentials, rallying friends and family, and giving financially, you’ve shown up, shown support, and truly bolstered the spirits of our community.
Thanks to your contributions, we’re distributing toys to over 100 children and teens, and gift bags (containing toiletries, socks, mitts, and other necessities, as well as thoughtful treats) to over 500 women!
The community we serve lives in the intersection of many marginalized identities, including conditions of extreme poverty and violence, systemic racism, and intergenerational trauma. Women who make up the DEWC community have all experienced violence in some form: whether interpersonal violence, pervasive harassment and abuse, and/or colonial and gendered violence, and they are all survivors, all fighting in their own way for the space and resources they need. Check out our latest newsletter for some of the ways women have been making their voices heard, empowered by the safety and community they find at the Centre.
The issues facing women in the Downtown Eastside are ongoing, and so are their effects. Especially during the cold and wet winter months, a place of sanctuary and respite, a smile, a gift bag of essentials, and hot holiday meal can make an enormous impact.
In this Christmas season and beyond, we welcome and appreciate all the support that makes our work possible. With your help, we’re able to care for and celebrate with our community: one that is unceasingly resilient, fiercely loyal, affectionate, and even amidst enduring struggle, lit with laughter and joy.
Thank you!
Our thanks to everyone who made this holiday season extra special, including Purdy’s Chocolate for donating an abundance of treats, Sarah Murray for photographing our children’s Christmas party and The Butler Did It for catering, Backstage Cafe for cooking up a delicious holiday dinner for women in our evening groups, and everyone who dropped off items on our wishlist.
Holiday Meal Sponsors
B+H Architects
Petek Design Studio
Portico Design Group
Westpoint Naturals
Wallace Hamilton
Genworth Canada
Donation Drives
Museum of Anthropology
Discover Canada Tours
YVR
Swim Recruiting
ICBC
YYOGA
Rise People
Telus
evolve Nurturing Vitality
Coastal Peoples Gallery
SFU Communications Student Union
Events
Run to Give YVR
Ugly Sweater Sing-a-long
Bumble
Bunhead
Volunteers
Traction on Demand
Corporate Traveller
Southern & Associates
It’s not too late to give a year-end gift to the Downtown Eastside Women’s Centre! Just $5 gives a woman access to safe space, essential needs, and a continuum of support including advocacy, housing assistance, cultural healing programs, and skills development. From now until the end of the year, your donation will be matched by a generous donor!