Nearly five years ago we stepped foot onto the creaky floors of a second floor loft that became known as “The Great Room,” in the Downtown Eastside of Vancouver, for the first time. We were, essentially, handed the second floor of a condemned building off of East Hastings and Abbott. After years of walking around the DTES becoming familiar faces, meeting women in the neighbourhood, building trust, investing in friendships, our dream had quite suddenly come to fruition: a space that invited hurting, broken, lonely women to be wrapped in rest, acceptance, love, and hope.
This space has become sacred over the last five years. It has sheltered us in times of tears, of laughter, of confusion as we have shared the stories of our lives, seeking hope and healing amidst pain, grief, addiction, etc. It has hosted Olympic athletes and tourists, Members of Parliament and Cabinet Ministers, Christmas carollers, various organizations and church groups. But most of all it has hosted our sisters, and has inspired creativity, fostered beautiful friendships, and has given many a place to call home.
Two weeks ago we were informed that this entire building had been sold and that we needed to vacate the building as soon as possible.
Thursday November 10, 2011 marked our final day in this space that we have called home for nearly five years. While this is certainly a very emotional transition for everyone, our friends continue to surprise and inspire us. Last Tuesday during our women’s circle, in full recognition of the sadness in losing the current space, one of our friends said, “It’s not about the space… We are the Great Room.” With the rest of the ladies chiming in validating that statement in full agreement, we can’t help but be reminded once again that this is so much bigger than a space, a circle of women in the DTES, our vision: it comes back to women standing in solidarity with each other no matter personal histories, believing that there is hope and healing for each of us.
On Tuesday November 15 we will step into a new space that we will bring The Great Room to. Grace Mansion, on the corner of Princess and East Hastings, is operated by The Salvation Army, and they are partnering with us to create a space for the new Great Room in the lounge of the women’s floor. It is a smaller space, but its two-story corner windows with views of the North Shore Mountains inspire great potential for a new space. On Tuesday we will begin painting and start refurnishing and decorating the space. It is only a matter of time before this new space will be anointed with laughter, tears, story, and sisterhood as we step into the next season of our journey with The Great Room. Aside from saying goodbye to the vermin and insects, change is always challenging. We appreciate your thoughts and prayers as we make this transition with our friends in the DTES.
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