Read Stories 

Operation Phoenix

February 05, 2009

"From now until the 2010 Olympics, The Province, Global BC and CKNW will shine a light on the issues that have left some of our poorest citizens living in deplorable conditions."

"Our project is called Operation Phoenix. We want to help renew hope in the Downtown Eastside." - Ros Guggi, Province Deputy Editor and Project Leader for Operation Phoenix, from "Introducing Operation Phoenix"

Union Gospel Mission, along with 10 other service providers on the Downtown Eastside, is privileged to be taking part in Operation Phoenix.

"We don't have any magical answers," writes Ros Guggi. "But we invite you to help us try to make this a better place for the most vulnerable members of our society, many of them so disabled and addicted that they simply cannot work. The project will offer those who want to help a way to connect with agencies that need goods or volunteers."

Through the main Operation Phoenix website, you can view and select how to make a difference, how to volunteer your time, and how to provide needed goods to the various organizations.

There are six main goals behind this initiative. Operation Phoenix...

1. Is committed to raising awareness of conditions.
2. Is committed to provoking dialogue and debate around all the issues facing the residents and business owners.
3. Is committed to celebrating what is working and exposing what is broken.
4. Will hold specific people accountable to help facilitate change.
5. Will actively push for the change that's needed to improve people's lives.
6. Will work to engage communities in and outside of the Downtown Eastside in our quest to find workable solutions.

WHAT YOU CAN DO

Find out how you can make a difference by donating goods or time.

See and hear how the Downtown Eastside needs your help, through a multimedia presentation from The Province.

Read the introduction to Operation Phoenix

Read, watch or hear the newest Operation Phoenix news stories on:

4 people have commented on this article, join the conversation!

Please note: We welcome all comments, from compliments to complaints. House rules: Be nice. Keep it clean. Stay on topic. No spam. Be advised that posts containing expletives or denigrations will not be displayed. Thanks!

Union Gospel Mission said:
December 10, 2009

Hey there Calvin, Thanks for sharing your amazing story. You've been through a ton, and I really hope you can find the satisfaction you seek of being able to give back. I wanted to email you back but didn't see your contact info, so I'll tell you how to find out more about jobs and internships at UGM: For internships, you can send an email to volunteers@ugm.ca and let them know you're interested. You can check our job openings anytime by clicking Current Job Openings at the bottom of this site, or by visiting this page: http://www.ugm.ca/meet-ugm/job-openings Hope that helps! - Kevan @ UGM

Calvin Harrington said:
December 10, 2009

I was born the product of a mixed race marriage in the United States. At the age of 5 my parents divorced and I went to live with my father. At 9 years old I was playing percussions professionally with my father’s gospel quartette. By the age of 12 I was given the “Apple of Achievement Award” by the Milwaukee County School Board. The following year I received the “Diamond of Distinction Award” for outstanding scholastics and being in the top 2% of all middle school students in the state of Wisconsin. I was placed in a superior ability class where I excelled. The following year I was placed in the University of Mississippi Prepatory Program where I attended the university Tuesdays, Thursdays and every other Friday. I was only 13 years old and on the road to success. One Saturday morning, while back home in Wisconsin, I went down my father’s basement to wash a load of laundry and found my step brother lighting a glass pipe. I asked him what he was doing and he replied that if I had ten dollars he would show me ………..thus began my journey into addiction. I went from being a straight A student, star athlete and musical prodigy to a 14 year old crack addict, thief, liar and delinquent. Throughout this 20 year addiction to cocaine I found myself homeless, imprisoned, abusive and living on the streets…I was a pimp, dealer, user…I worked for various criminal organizations and was shot three times…I took all of my God given talent and put it to use on the streets to become the best drug addict that I could become. Meanwhile all of the people that cared for me were abandoned, including my children. I was on a downward spiral and could not figure out how to end the madness. Then one Wednesday evening while sitting in a service at the Union Gospel Mission, on the downtown eastside, I decided to re-dedicate my life to Christ. Things gradually began to become clearer. I was taken off the streets and put into a shelter. My road to recovery did not happen overnight but I stayed the course and found my way to treatment. I will be celebrating my fourth year of sobriety this January 15 and I could not ask for a more blessed life than the one that I have been given right now. I have been working full time for the past four years. I am a volunteer basketball coach and youth mentor at the YMCA and have been doing this for the past three years. I have a wonderful spouse who also stayed the course and is about to complete her Addiction Service Worker degree. I have a wonderful 2 year old son that is actually in our care (after having 3 children removed by the Ministry). I have food, clothing, shelter, transportation and many other blessings. The time has now come for me to give back to the community that I once raped, brutalized and pillaged. The only thing lacking in my life is the satisfaction of helping people who are in the same position that I was in for many years. I feel that my experience with addiction, being on the streets, in the shelters, living on the DTES , along with my recovery can be an instrumental asset to any social organization that is reaching out to those in need. It is my request that you take me into consideration for any entry level position that your agency may have open. I realize that with all of the funding cuts your budget may be lean but I am willing to work for a wage that is commercially applicable to an entry level position. I am also open to an internship that would include a possibility of professional development leading to full time employment. I want to thank you for giving me the opportunity to share my story. It is my goal to help as many people as possible exit addiction and homelessness to become all that they were meant to be. Calvin Harrington

Ben @ UGM said:
November 09, 2009

Hi Rosemary, I'll make sure to get you connected with the right person. Thanks for your generous support! - Ben @ UGM

Rosemary Rigsby said:
November 09, 2009

Hello, Would somebody please call me regarding your policy on accepting donations? I am facilitating a promotion with a Vancouver retailer that will result in a donation of goods. I can explain in more detail via telephone, and may be reached per below, Thankyou, Rosemary Rigsby BC Area Sales Manager Higgins Cohn Brand Management 604 - 314 - 4584.

Post new comment

The content of this field is kept private and will not be shown publicly.

© 2009 Union Gospel Mission
Registered Canadian Charity
13190 2348 RR0001

616 E Cordova Street
Vancouver, BC, Canada
V6A 1L9 • 604.253.3323