Real People Real Lives
Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside (DTES) is infamous for its issues of poverty, homelessness, mental illness, and addiction. The neighbourhood and its residents are often maligned as the government, non-government organizations, and citizens debate solutions. What is often forgotten in these discussions is the fact that these are actual people who are sons, daughters, brothers, sisters, and friends to someone. Amid their struggles, they live their lives in their community as best they can. This project was a collaboration with the governmental agency BC Housing and the non-profit organization Atira. I was commissioned to document and share the lives of residents, showing them as real people rather than just statistics of addiction, mental illness, and poverty. Although very challenging and heartbreaking at times, the project provided hope and demonstrated the sense of community and care that exists in the DTES.
