Carrie Underwood’s 2005 hit “Jesus Take the Wheel” immediately came to mind when I was asked to write a Reflection on my experience as a volunteer at The Door is Open. I’ve been working in the kitchen for almost eight years, organizing, prepping and serving meals to our women’s program Read more…
I have been volunteering at the Door Is Open since one morning in October of 2012 when my friend, Alice, and I walked into the facility and met with the manager, Julia Ruggier. Her eyes lit up, because two of their long-standing Wednesday volunteers had recently moved away and retired. Read more…
When I first started volunteering at the Door is Open, my regular Wednesday mornings quickly became something I looked forward to. The community that was created in the art room was strong and flavoured with everyone’s unique styles. Something I particularly enjoyed was when I would bring in a project for that day Read more…
Matthew 8:20 And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay His head.” It is a blessing to be part of the Downtown Eastside Community and I truly believe it is God’s grace that Read more…
From the time that the CWL was established at St. Joseph the Worker Parish five years ago, its members knew that its works of charity would extend beyond the Year of Mercy. Their desire to serve the most vulnerable in our city led them to The Door is Open. This Read more…
Yoshi was always interested in volunteering in the Downtown Eastside, and when she moved into the neighbourhood a few years ago, she took the opportunity to research charities where she would be able to help. Because she feels that food is a fundamental necessity, she knew that she wanted to Read more…
The Door is Open (DIO) staff and volunteers were sad to hear of the passing of Eleanor Cook, a ‘retired’ long-time volunteer at DIO. Eleanor was a devoted volunteer at DIO. She was responsible for expanding our Wednesday Women’s Breakfast program beyond a bowl of cereal and a cup of Read more…
Meet another of our wonderful volunteers! Gwen helps to prepare and serve meals and takes care of our “clothing room” – sorting and distributing our clothing donations. We asked Gwen to share the story of how she became involved with community, and what she enjoys about it. This is what Read more…
We were blessed to have Sr. Baybeth at The Door is Open for last two and a half years. Her gentle but firm manner, together with her strong organizational skills and sense of order, made her a perfect fit for The Door is Open. We became so accustomed to seeing Read more…
You gave Jacques a new start! In 2011, Jacques arrived in Vancouver on a bus from Ottawa. Homeless, he camped out in Stanley Park with limited access to food. Then he discovered The Door is Open and found himself returning often because he enjoyed the atmosphere. “There are good people Read more…