This may not seem like much, but safe washrooms can be hard to find in the Downtown Eastside, especially for women.
For folks in the Downtown Eastside, finding a safe bathroom can be a challenge. For women, that struggle is compounded by the potential threat and real danger of being assaulted while using one of the few available public co-ed showers / bathrooms.
As a result, many women avoid using bathrooms altogether, including when living in co-ed SRO’s where washrooms are shared. This can lead to serious health risks like infections, kidney problems, and aggravated wounds.
All our spaces are equipped with bathrooms, including safe, clean showers, stocked with donated toiletries, towels and even makeup and hair products for those that wish to access them. While this may not seem like a high priority to some, this is one of the rarest and most valuable resources in the Downtown Eastside.