Homelessness | Pass it to the Left

Dec 10 2012

Activism, Commons, Communication, Community, Economy, Homelessness, Housing, Intersectionality, Knowledge, Local, Photography, Politics, Poverty, Social Change

The Gentrification Conundrum

by Sarah Allan with photographs by Tegan MacDonald

Gentrification is a huge source of conflict and debate, particularly in Vancouver B.C., where the city changes faster than anyone can keep up with. As a phenomenon, gentrification is not necessarily a negative or a positive thing for a city. Gentrification was defined in the 1960′s by sociologist Ruth Glass as involving the change of a working-class or vacant area of a city to a middle class residential and/or commercial use area. Despite this seemingly neutral definition, there are definitely winners and losers when gentrification occurs in a city; there are things that are lost forever, and things that are gained. Lately, I have been asking myself, and others, a few questions as we all struggle to find our place in this rapidly changing urban environment: Is it wrong to benefit from gentrification? Is there a way for gentrification to occur, without sacrificing the communities that already exist?

Photo by Tegan MacDonald

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Tagged Activism, Commons, Communication, Community, Economy, Homelessness, Housing, Intersectionality, Knowledge, Local, Photography, Politics, Poverty, Sarah Allan, Social Change, Tegan MacDonald

Mar 12 2012

Activism, Charity, Children, Community, Environment, Homelessness, International, Non-Profit, Photography, Youth

Project Somos – Building a Children’s Village in Guatemala

by Deanna Alexander

Project Somos is establishing a village for abandoned and orphaned children in Guatemala near the town of Tecpán.

The Village will have seven homes with Guatemalan Foster Mothers raising a household of children.
The family homes are being built using earthbag construction.
This eco-sustainable Village will use alternative power, and will have organic agriculture & orchards.
The Village is being designed in collaboration with Guatemalan architect, Cecilia Rodriguez.
Education, leadership and arts will be key focuses of The Children’s Village.
The Village will work hand in hand with the local Guatemalan community.

Project Somos volunteers

The first two homes each of which house one den-mother and seven children

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Tagged Activism, Charity, Children, Community, Deanna Alexander, Environment, Homelessness, International, Non-Profit, Photography, Youth

Feb 21 2012

Activism, Commons, Community, Culture, Economy, Equality, First Nations, Homelessness, Police and Security, Politics, Poverty, Social Change

Another Ninety-Five Theses on the Effect and Influence of the Woodward’s Redevelopment

by Melissa Fischer

Without your attention, dialogue surrounding the success and failure of the Woodward’s Redevelopment will continue to fade. Please speak of this issue with your colleagues and your peers, your family, your friends, and your neighbours, the guy standing next to you at the bus stop. Your words can rescue the project, help make it what Vancouver most needs it to be. Thus far, accountability has been evaded through endless complexities, but by whispering new life into what is quickly becoming a closed case, the potential for great change may not be lost.