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COPE Councilor Ellen Woodsworth at 2011 Gathering Place Homeless Connect event on Wed Oct 12 in Vancouver
Homeless Connect
Homeless Connect days are special events designed to give people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness access to a wide range of health and other support services all under one roof.
The City will be among other organizations province-wide that will host special events to provide free services for the homeless including: food, foot care, haircuts, hearing tests, pet care, street nurses, and bike repair. The events are also an opportunity to connect with service providers and gather information on employment, housing and health while in a welcoming atmosphere with food, music and other entertainment.
Gathering Place Connect
Wednesday, October 12 from 11 am to 2 pm
609 Helmcken Street
See more at
COPE Councilor Ellen Woodsworth speaking on COPE Housing Solutions for Vancouver Downtown Eastside (DTES)
COPE Councilor Ellen Woodsworth committed today to slow gentrification in the Downtown Eastside, a process that is pushing out local residents through unaffordable rent and rising food costs. In front of the controversial Pantages Theatre site, Woodsworth announced COPE’s plan to ensure property in the Downtown Eastside is devoted to affordable housing for the low-income community.
“The hundred block of Hastings is not a place for high end condos,” said Woodsworth. “The Downtown Eastside can count on COPE to make certain that housing developed in the neighbourhood provides for the current local residents.”
COPE committed to calling for a condominium development moratorium in the Downtown Eastside until sufficient low-income housing is in place. COPE will also strengthen the anti-conversion by-law by defining ‘affordability’ as being affordable to those on Government Assistance. This will ensure that residents of the area are not forced to leave their homes because of increasing rent.
“The Downtown Eastside community is well organised and they have set specific priorities for how the City plans their vital neighbourhood,” said Woodsworth. “COPE remains committed to listening to neighbourhoods, and this neighbouhood is speaking loud, and clear.”
Woodsworth highlighted the demands of local community groups, including the resident-based Downtown Eastside Neighbourhood Council, calling on the City of Vancouver to identify 10 locations to be designated as future sites for low-income housing. COPE also commits to providing greater security and safety for residents of Single Occupancy (SRO) hotels.
“Our city staff need more resources to help enforce standards of maintenance by-laws. This is crucial in order to protect our city’s most vulnerable from absentee or neglectful land owners,” added Woodsworth.
COPE also set a target of creating 1000 affordable housing units in Vancouver every year.
“Housing is a top priority for our city, and residents can count on COPE to create a Vancouver for everyone with safe, secure, affordable housing,” said Woodsworth.
While calling for a national housing strategy and for increased provincial support for affordable and supportive housing units, COPE wants the City to play a leadership role in making the creation of new housing a reality.
“We cannot let Stephen Harper or Christy Clark off the hook. Both provincial and federal governments must return to the housing table,” said Woodsworth. “Vancouver cannot wait though, and COPE councilors will work everyday to focus on how best to make Vancouver affordable for everyone.”
Chinese Freemasons and the PHS Community Services Society co-hosted the unveiling ceremony of a plaque to commemorate the 100 anniversary of Dr. Sun Yat-Sen’s visit to Vancouver as well as his stay at the Pennsylvania Hotel on Friday Oct 7, 2011
The Chinese Freemasons and the PHS Community Services Society co-hosted a ceremony to unveil a plaque to commemorate the 100 anniversary of Dr. Sun Yat-Sen’s visit to Vancouver and his stay at the Pennsylvania Hotel, originally named the Woods Hotel.
When: Oct 7th (Friday), 2011, 12:00 Noon
Where: Lobby of the Pennsylvania Hotel, 412 Carrall St., Vancouver, BC
Event: Unveiling of the plaque and a reception after.
Chinese Freemasons and the PHS Community Services Society co-host the unveiling ceremony of a plaque to commemorate the 100 anniversary of Dr. Sun Yat-Sen’s visit to Vancouver as well as his stay at the Pennsylvania Hotel in February 1911. This is also the 100 anniversary of the Xinhai Revolution, which ended thousands of years of monarchy rule in China and established the first republic in Asia.
Dr. Sun Yat-Sen led the Xinhai Revolution to victory in 1911, the same year he visited Vancouver and he is popularly considered the founding father of modern China.
Chuck Chang Executive (Vice Chairman Chinese Freemasons National Headquarters of Canada): “The Chinese Freemason mortgaged our buildings to help raised tens of thousands of dollars for the revolution. Many of our members also took part in direct action for the course, some sacrificing their lives for the revolution.”
Chuck Chang Executive (Vice Chairman Chinese Freemasons National Headquarters of Canada): “The Chinese Freemason covered the expenses of Dr. Sun’s visit in 1911. We also provided protection to make sure that Dr. Sun’s personal safety was not compromised. One hundred years later, we are still proud of our support to the revolution.”
Dr. Dan Small: “We are proud and honored that Pennsylvania Hotel, formerly known as the Woods Hotel and the Portland Hotel, is connected to such an significant event in human history; and that the Hotel hosted such an important person as Dr. Sun Yat-Sen, the founding father of modern China and the first president of China.”
Dr. Dan Small: “The core belief of the PHS Community Services Society is to support progressive social changes and to promote tolerance of people with diversity of lifestyle and ideas, whether or not such ideas are popular at the current time or not.”
Dr. Dan Small: “We treasure this special and historical link between Dr. Sun Yat-Sen and the Pennsylvania Hotel. We also treasure this special and historical link between the Chinese community and the PHS Community Services Society.”
BACKGROUNDER: Dr. Sun Yat-Sen played a key and leading role in the 1911 Xinhai Revolution that toppled the Qing Dynasty in China, ending monarchy rule that has lasted for thousands of years in the China and established the first republic in Asia.
The revolution commenced with an army uprising in the city of Wuchang in central China on Oct 10th, 1911.
In the same year, in 1911, believed from February 6th to the 18th, Dr. Sun Yat-Sen spent about two weeks in Vancouver. Dr. Sun was a guest of the Chinese Freemason and stayed at Woods Hotel, now the Pennsylvania Hotel, dodging assassination attempts from his adversaries while conducting an uprising in Southern China.
The Chinese Freemason hosted Dr. Sun’s visit in 1911 and help raise tens of thousands of dollars for the revolution, mortgaging their buildings to raise the crucial funds.
According to the recollection of the Chinese Freemason, they paid a total of $97.30 to settle Dr. Sun’s hotel bill, as well as $195.40 for Dr. Sun’s telegraph expenses.
One of the core operations of the PHS Community Services Society is providing housing accommodation to clients with special needs. And the first such housing projects for the PHS was the Portland Hotel, formerly called the Woods Hotel where Dr. Sun Yat-Sen stayed 100 years ago.
Below are videos of Dr. Sun Yat-Sen ‘s Plaque unveiling at Pennsylvania Hotel in Vancouver
AHA MEDIA recently had the great pleasure of witnessing the unveiling of a very special little piece of Vancouver’s amazing history.
In 1911, Dr. Sun Yat-Sen visited Vancouver to raise support for the revolution happening in China. He came to Vancouver and stayed in the Pennsylvania Hotel in our own DTES, welcomed warmly by the Chinese Freemasons society of Vancouver and protected by them as agents had followed him from China to Vancouver and were intent on stopping him.
100 years later, the Portland Hotel Society welcomed us all to the recently renovated Pennsylvania Hotel to witness the unveiling of a beautiful plaque commemorating the good Dr’s visit.
There were many representatives from the city of Vancouver including Councillor Kerry Jang, Councillor Ellen Woodsworth, Andrea Reimer and Sarah Blyth. MLA Jenny Kwan who gave a stirring speech in both English and Chinese to the crowd.
Members of the Chinese Freemasons, people from the Portland Hotel Society, as well as Chinese senior citizens from Chinatown were all present to see the grand unveiling of the plaque.
Afterwards, we adjourned to the Calabash Bistro to enjoy traditional Caribbean food and each other’s company on this momentous historic day!
MacLure’s Cabs celebrates their 100 year anniversary at CBC Studios in Vancouver!
Maclure’s Cabs celebrated their 100th anniversary at CBC Vancouver studios in grand style!!
Beautifully catered event and prepared from chefs right in front of you, fantastic music, door prizes, and tons of fun!
An extremely memorable experience!
Maclure’s Cabs has been an important part of Vancouver’s history and continues to do so with their new line of “green” cabs.
About 1000 people packed the halls of the CBC radio building in Vancouver enjoying Sushi, traditional Indian food, Swedish Meatballs, and delicious Indian sweets for dessert.
The famous Dal Richards and his Orchestra played jazz music in the background and drew many well deserved applauses from a crowd dressed to the
nines in Tuxedos, Suits, Beautiful Saris (for the women of course) and elegant evening gowns.
There were speeches from various people including the President of Maclure’s Cabs, Geoff Meggs from the city of Vancouver.
We were delighted to view one of the original Cadillac Cabs from 100 years ago (fully restored of course) “driven” by a cabbie in traditional uniform, peaked cap, long trenchcoat, and shiny shoes. Even the people greeting us at the door were dressed in traditional outfits from the period.
We will never forget the night as it was amazing and memorable. We have told ALL our friends and families about MacLure’s Cabs!
Thank you Maclure’s for 100 years of great service, may there be at least another 100 years
Below is a welcoming letter from Sucha Poonia, President of MacLure’s Cabs
Welcome to MacLure’s Cabs 100 year celebration!
Dear Friends,
It is with great pride that I welcome you to this milestone in MacLure’s history. We are pleased and privileged to have so many riders, suppliers, industry partners, friends and relatives here to join us in our celebration of 100 years serving in Vancouver.
In the beginning, taxi fares often consisted of trips to Stanley Park and trips across town. Our fleet started with Cadillac’s and later included a Packard Limousine. Since then we have grown to a fleet of 65, and we service all the way to Whistler.
MacLure’s Cabs strives to provide clean, safe, enjoyable rides, getting you to your destination in a timely fashion. Our drivers have all taken the Taxi Host program, to help us ensure that our riders receive the best possible service.
We have worked hard to become environmentally responsible, as seen by our fleet that mostly consists of Hybrid Toyata Prius’s. As soon as there are Hybrid minivans available, we will continue to “green” our fleet.
We are glad you were able to attend our 100th Anniversary, and we look forward to serving Vancouver for another 100 years.
Sincerely,
Sucha Poonia
President
MacLure’s Cabs Inc.
Below are videos of MacLure’s Cab 100th anniversary celebration at CBC Vancouver Studios
Many thanks to Jonathon Narvey for the invitation to help celebrate MacLure’s Cab 100th anniversary in Vancouver 🙂
UGM kicks off Homelessness Action Week with all-day Thanksgiving Dinner served to 1000s on the Downtown Eastside on Monday Oct 10, 2011
The Union Gospel Mission dining room will be a flurry of activity on Thanksgiving Monday, as the homeless, addicted and those struggling to make ends meet will be treated to a delicious turkey dinner with all the trimmings. UGM expects to serve some 3,000 people throughout the lower mainland—mainly in Vancouver but also in New Westminster, and Mission.
WHAT (Vancouver)
The sixth annual Homelessness Action Week (HAW) in Metro Vancouver is October 10 – 16 2011
WHEN
Monday, October 10th (Thanksgiving Day)
Doors open at 10:00am, meals served at 10:30am until 4:00pm
Media are welcome to set up earlier, just connect with Keela if coming before 9:30am
WHERE
Main location
601 East Hastings, Vancouver (@ Princess Street)
Other locations
UGM New Westminster: 33071 Railway Ave (doors open at noon)
UGM Mission: 658 Clarkson Street (doors open at noon)
THE MEAL – By the numbers
• 170 turkeys (3,200 lbs)
• 1,500 lbs of mashed potatoes
• 900 lbs of vegetables
• 900 lbs of stuffing
• 70 gallons of gravy
• 300 lbs of cranberry sauce
• 4,000 dinner rolls
• 650 pumpkin pies
• 300 litres of ice cream
WHY
UGM Senior Chaplain Bruce Curtiss explains that the meal is about more than just providing physical sustenance: “For many of our guests, this is a special time to celebrate and give thanks for what they do have, which is often very little. Over and over, we’ve seen Thanksgiving leading to hope, and hope inspiring courage, and courage – with friends to stand alongside – leading to transformed lives. But it all starts with this Thanksgiving meal, where we’re able to start fostering new relationships which can lead to changed lives through this very special day.”
UGM NEW WESTMINSTER’S HAW ACITIVIES
UGM is part of the New Westminster Homelessness Coalition, which, every year raises public awareness of homelessness during Homelessness Actions Week (nwhomeless.ca). News will be released about their events including Homelessness Connect, a fundraiser with a thought-provoking talk on harm reduction, and a homelessness awareness movie called “Dark Days.” Funds raised during that week will support “I’s on the Street,” a nonprofit social enterprise that provides those in need with stepping stones for employment.
WHO – About UGM
Union Gospel Mission has been feeding hope and changing lives of men, women, youth, and children for nearly 70 years. Through its 9 locations in Metro Vancouver and the city of Mission, UGM provides counseling, education, safe housing, and alcohol and drug recovery to those struggling with poverty, homelessness, and addiction. The heart of the mission is to demonstrate God’s transforming love, ease the burden of the most vulnerable, rebuild the lives of the broken, and offer dignity to those who feel cast aside. UGM is a proud member of the Canadian Council of Christian Charities and the Association of Gospel Rescue Missions. To find out more, visit www.ugm.ca.
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