A photo story of courage and hope in the Downtown Eastside
Real People, Real Lives’, is a candid portrait of 12 people who live in one of Vancouver’s oldest neighbourhoods, and is a collaboration between Atira Women’s Resource Society and its property management company, award-winning photographer Michael Bednar, and the provincial government. Michael spent over a year working with the 12 people profiled and came to know them well. Each person has shown courage in coming to terms with personal difficulties such as homelessness, drug and alcohol addiction, or past experiences working in the sex trade. ‘Real People, Real Lives’ challenges the audience to see beyond these labels and to recognize that these people have hopes and dreams just like everyone else. The initial idea for ‘Real People, Real Lives’ was developed by Janice Abbott, Atira Property Management Inc. and executive director of Atira Women’s Resource Society. Atira operates 17 of the 23 Downtown Eastside SRO hotels acquired by the Province since 2007 that provide clean, safe housing with support services. www.realpeoplereallives.ca
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here here! I have been
here here!
I have been spending a lot of time in the DTES lately as my boyfriend lives and works there. There is a lot of potential for inspiration and love there even though it is a place that breaks my heart sometimes.
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This is an inspired way to
This is an inspired way to connect the broader community with the people of the Downtown East Side in a manner that is true to who they are as individuals - something we sometimes forget when talking about the DTES and the challenges this community faces.