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April 10, 2009

Sometimes, the Downtown Eastside is referred to as Canada's poorest neighbourhood. Sometimes, we here at UGM call it that, too. But this is our neighbourhood, these are our people, and this is our society. This postal code has more community, more character and more life than any I've known, and that spirit of diversity is more prevalent today than ever. It might be statistically correct to call the DTES Canada's poorest, but to us, this is Canada's most amazing neighbourhood.
Today, hundreds of people are gathered on the sidewalks outside Union Gospel Mission's Downtown Eastside headquarters. Similar lineups can be found outside our Drop-in Centre in New West, the one in Mission, and at our townhouse complex in Surrey.

Some have been here since 6 am. Some camped out overnight. But our friends aren't here to see a movie premiere, to audition for Canadian Idol, or to get an iPhone. They're here for food: for a warm, heaping plate of ham, scalloped potatoes, veggies, pineapple sauce and a dinner roll, plus an apple pie and ice cream for dessert.

We do this because some people don't have families they can be with right now. It's one of Canada's most beloved holidays this weekend -- and one of the hardest times to be alone is when everyone else is celebrating. So we want to make sure that everyone gets the chance to celebrate Easter. Our house is your house. Our food is your food.


[Above: This is Oscar. He left El Salvador and his family when he was 22 to escape being in the army, and now lives in Vancouver. "My food was delicious, thanks for asking," he told Leah when she snapped his photo this morning.]

Today, people will be given the chance to start all over again. They'll hear about UGM's six-month Alcohol and Drug Recovery Program, where they get a place to stay for 6 months and the chance to talk with professional counsellors every single day to work through their addictions. They'll hear about our GED program, where people who were never able to complete Grade 12 can finally reach that milestone.

They'll also receive an orange at the end of their meal, as a round, tangible reminder that it is never too late for a fresh start.

The rough, pockmarked texture of the skin of an orange is like the speckled ashphalt under our feet. But underneath the surface of the orange, and underneath the superficial stones of the street, is the most vibrant, healthy, fresh, surprising and rejuvenating life. We want to give people the chance to experience that. To get off the streets, to get into a new life.

Happy Orange Day everybody, and happy Easter!

• To donate online in support of Orange Day, click here. Help us bring freshness and renewal to the Downtown Eastside and all of Metro Vancouver.
• See the official Orange Day website, where photos and messages from people in Vancouver like you are being shared.