A recent article in the Vancouver Sun by Miro Cernetig criticized the DTES Connect pavilion at Woodward’s for being contrived and dumbed down. A glossy and slick, politically machinated “homeless pavilion” and a PR exercise is what the article summed it up as, stressing how the efforts of all three levels of government have been too little too late in the case of the DTES. This appeared to be the first shot in what has become a heated discourse over the DTES Connect pavilion.
The Olympic Games have been a source of protest and debate from the minute our bid became known and as we inch closer to the opening ceremonies the most bombastic fireworks might not be above English Bay or False Creek, they may very well be in the media. BOB is featured quite prominently in the pavilion along with other non-profits that have been active in the Downtown Eastside, and we’re glad that our story has been included there, but we also empathize with those who stress more needs to be done. Governments will always be struggling to keep up with the sweeping and unpredictable forces of economics, technology and culture. In this era of globalization the external pressures placed on a city such as Vancouver by cultural, technological and economic change (or say…by an international sporting event) creates an incredibly complex internal dynamic between all those affected for better or worse. Rising costs of living, increased development, city competitiveness, and the struggle to define space and place creates constant tension in our dynamic urban environment with or without major events. Those who are pushed to the edges by powerful and complex forces need champions to fight for them. There needs to be protest, demonstrations, activism, debate, but at the same time we may benefit from being mindful of the accomplishments of residents, non-profits, businesses and government in the challenging task at hand. Taking a moment to reflect on the work of non-profits in a complex and challenging situation…is it entirely fair to call this whitewashing?
It’s important that we’re able to move away from the singular view of the DTES as a neglected and tragic PR nightmare and a place where only bad things happen. There is also a vibrant community at work here. No matter how glossy the photos may look at DTES Connect there is no glossing over the challenges within this part of the city. Mayor Robertson himself testified to this, as did the other speakers who appeared at Woodward’s to officially open the pavilion on Monday, including Liz Evans whose Portland Hotel society has been doing invaluable work in the DTES for years. Some may have confused the medium for the message, because it sounded clear to me that the City and its partners have chosen to be very open, frank and mature about the complex realities of poverty, homelessness and urban renewal.
This part of the city is far more than just a “social failure” and trying to tell both sides of the story is far more than a public relations exercise. Many Vancouverites who live and work in the DTES as well as business owners and institutions keen to invest and relocate here also feel that Vancouver’s inner-city, despite the many challenges, has an exciting present and incredible potential.
While nobody denies that there are many challenges left to overcome, we’ve come a long way. Yes we do need more social housing, we do need continued support for residents, business, and social enterprise, we need living wages and affordable family supports but not because things are getting worse. It’s because these things are helping. Not because government isn’t doing enough, but because when government does do something it helps a lot. Woodward’s is an example of that.
Dealers and drug users still collect in clusters on the corners and in the alleys but many longtime residents have overcome challenges and are now working at busy new stores like Nester’s Food Floor and London Drugs, in the same Woodward’s Building that now houses Simon Fraser University’s School for the Contemporary Arts. 34 “hard to employ” DTES residents in total have been employed at these three locations, 15 of them at SFU alone. Over 300 DTES residents were trained and over 120 have recieved work in construction thanks to the city’s first major community benefits agreement, an important starting point for future CBAs to build on. Social enterprise like the SOLEfood inner city farm, Tradeworks Training Society and Common Thread Sewing Co-operative offer training, income and employment opportunities for Downtown Eastside residents while innovative co-working spaces at W2 Social Media House and here at Building Opportunities with Business (BOB) offer affordable monthly rates for mobile workers in need of bandwidth and secure space. Exciting new restaurants Bao Bei and Campagnolo have opened their doors in locations that a few years ago would’ve been unthinkable while organizations like Blade Runners, Union Gospel Mission, BOB, New Chapter 2, United We Can, Mission Possible and others have all worked hard to train, support and find employment for residents eager to work and make a difference in their lives and in their community. To paint the neighborhood in one colour as “Vancouver’s largest social failure” is a slight to all those who have overcome addiction, who have opened businesses, who have found work, and through their preserverence improved this historic part of our city. Taking a moment to reflect on the work of residents, non-profits and governments struggling to keep up with strong forces of change may help us to better understand how we can work together to improve our communities, discounting it as pure whitewash denies us that moment to reflect and think critically about the numerous parties, powers and people involved in our communities.
I congratulate DTES Connect on its official opening and all those who devote their time and energy to our inner city and its residents. As the fireworks fly, I hope they shed light on the full spectrum of characters and complexities within the inner-city and inspire government, non-profits and community activists to question how we can improve upon all our past and present efforts as we move forward.
The proposed 20-30 gardens would be situated adjacent to public spaces in the area. This would contribute to the beauty of the neighbourhood, allow for the local growth of edible plants, and engage the community in the gardens’ collective upkeep. Barbed wire fences and other deterrents currently found in Strathcona can create an exclusion of people from their neighbourhood.
