Our Mission is to eliminate barriers, both physical and societal, that prevent individuals who have complex unmet needs from being fully integrated into society. Our goal is to assist them in successfully achieving more fulfilling, empowered and independent lives.
The unfortunates who suffer homelessness on the streets of Vancouver are ten times more likely to contract Hepatitis C then that of the national average. The H.I.V. rate on the Downtown Eastside is worse than the epidemic in Africa. How is it that our society allows this condition to persist in one of the richest countries on the planet? Our collective shame is found in our silence. While we Canadians pour billions of dollars and human sacrifice into Afghanistan, our streets are lined with homeless, hopeless human tragedies yet we allow the suffering to continue. When will we Canadians tell our three levels of government that they need to resolve this critical issue? When and where do we draw the line? Does anyone reading this truly believe that the people photographed at the left are homeless by choice? Throwing money at the challenges doesn't work. Solutions are built by collaboration in the community and regardless of our personal agendas. Affordable housing, not cheap or social housing, has to happen to address this man made disaster. Affordable housing reflects the community; and so typically, rents would be geared to income rather than a fixed rate which is currently the norm in the poorest postal code in Canada. The governments seem to think that shelters are the answer, we say no. The answer to homelessness is HOMES!
Aria and Donnely left home when they were 12 years old. Working the streets of Vancouver is all they know. When we met them, they were both 17 years old and ravaged by the cold hard streets of the Downtown Eastside. We were lucky and found them some housing and connected them with services in the community. They are still working the streets although they are now getting professional and medical assistance. The lesson here is, talk to your children. Understanding them does not mean that you agree with them. If you need help or an in person intervention with your child, don't hesitate, call us at 778-242-3216. Your call will be answered or we will return it within a few hours.
Safe Injection helps to prevent HIV
Going Home Is Not An Option. Now What?
Street Kids Need Your Help!
Unprotected Sex May Lead to Death and is The Leading Cause of AIDS
Saved From The Street.....
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Downtown Eastside Abilities Link Society [D.E.A.L.S.], was founded by disabled people and for other disabled people. We assist human beings overcome barriers in their life through negotiation, mediation, counselling and facilitation. Our approach is holistic; we work with those who have physical and mental health issues and who are hard to house and hard on housing. Our work takes us to the prisons in our communities and before offenders are released. We assist them with a realistic release plan and until recently was funded by government. We have managed affordable housing projects and have done extensive work with those that have persistent and multiple barriers to traditional employment. Our biggest project has been defending and assisting those who have been served Olympic Eviction notices in the community at the Residential Tenancy Branch. We do short term project management and have a program called Choices that helps working girls and boyz develop exiti strategies that work for them. For more information on our intervention programs, please call 778-242-3216 or email us at info@dealsociety.com
DOWNTOWN EASTSIDE ABILITIES LINK SOCIETY
CONNECTING PEOPLE WITH SERVICES THROUGHOUT VANCOUVER
Suite 200-1755 West Broadway, Vancouver, BC V6J 4S5
