We all have something to be grateful for.

A job, a friend, a place to live. It is often our fundamental securities that we take for granted. When we take away the presumption of assuming someone’s story, we can acknowledge that in our beautiful city, no one should have to be homeless. From this insight of gratitude for our basic needs being met, we can create an environment where we no longer ignore the problem or pass on the responsibility of dealing with it. It is precisely these feelings of gratitude that make us want to work with those already on the front lines in the fight against homelessness. The Provincial and City governments are allocating substantial sums to address the problems. In addition, there are other agencies and organizations already fully engaged in projects to end homelessness and there are people who dedicate their lives, day in and day out, to help those who live on the streets. The mission of Gratitude Week is to complement these existing efforts by involving the citizens of Vancouver and also raising funds from ordinary citizens. These dollars will have an impact far beyond their monetary value. These dollars represent the will of the people of Vancouver to end homelessness now.

Learn more about the many organizations who are helping end homelessness now

This is not somebody else’s problem.

Vancouver is one of the most prosperous and desirable places in the world to live. Yet we have more than 2,600 people living on our streets. We all know homelessness is something that must end, but the problem keeps growing. And while the issues of homelessness are complex and sometimes contentious, the reality is that until people have their basic needs of safe, clean affordable housing and shelter met, the larger and more difficult issues cannot be addressed.