Lookout Society News and Updates

Dundarave Festival a huge success!

Fri, 13 Jan 2012 22:29:19 PST

Dundarave Festival raised $30,351.50 this year for the North Shore homeless! That is a 21.5% increase over the prior year! The generosity of the Dundarave Festival of Lights Society, the volunteers and musicians who freely give their time to make this an outstanding event for the young, and young at heart. The incredible yummy food served by our food service social enterprise, the event was simply amazing and successful. We don’t know how to thank everyone who came to enjoy. To Michael and Mary Markwick – you are very very special people. Because of all of you, we will be able to support homeless people get off the street, and stay off the street by providing them with the staffing supports and skills they need to be successful. The money goes towards the staffing that teach the lifeskills. Whether the food service training or the lifeskills, people who are having a challenging time addressing personal issues, have few opportunities. All of you became part of the solution! We wish everyone the very best in 2012; you certainly made it best for the North Shore Shelter!

Thanks to Larry Husty

Wed, 11 Jan 2012 16:06:16 PST

A special tahnks to Larry Husty who helped out at the Living Room Drop In on Christmas Eve. Click on the link to download.

Bright Lights - Realtors’ Annual Christmas Classic Fundraiser

Fri, 6 Jan 2012 15:02:51 PST

Representatives of the North Shore/Sunshine Coast/Sea-to-Sky division of the Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver held the Realtors’ Annual Christmas Classic Fundraiser Dec. 1 at Capilano Golf and Country Club. The event was well-attended and featured live music, silent and live auctions and various prize draws. The event raised more than $6,000 for the Lookout Emergency Aid Society, which operates the North Shore Shelter. Take a look at the pictures of the event by clicking on the link.

IT'S DIFFERENT NOW

Thu, 5 Jan 2012 17:29:38 PST

It's Different Now is a new campaign that focuses on what's different with HIV, how all areas of HIV have changed over the years from diagnosis to treatment and the importance of routine testing. Routine testing for all adults reduces stigma and improves early detection, and early detection can save lives and reduce transmission.

• Join us on Facebook & share the page and poster creative to your network - www.facebook.com/itsdifferentnow.org

• Join us on Twitter, follow us with your account and RT our messages - www.twitter.com/IDN_YVR

• Visit the website and watch (and share) the videos - www.itsdifferentnow.org

Lookout's December 2011 Newsletter

Fri, 23 Dec 2011 15:57:16 PST

Wishing everyone a wonderful holiday – Lookout’s December newsletter. The new issue of the Lookout 'At Home' Newsletter has been posted to the website. Click on the link to download.

COMFORT BAG DRIVE

Mon, 12 Dec 2011 17:52:38 PST

"Comfort Bag Drive" by Cove Cliff School

NEW LEARNING CENTRE AT THE LIVING ROOM

Wed, 7 Dec 2011 18:03:35 PST

A recent partnership between the Basic Education Department of Vancouver Community College (VCC) and the Lookout Society has led to the pilot of a new learning centre at The LivingRoom (524 Powell St.), specifically focused on learners who use The LivingRoom and/or live in buildings supervised by the Lookout. The partnership between VCC and the Lookout evolved organically out of the college’s desire to maintain a connection with the Downtown Eastside community, and the expressed interest by staff at The LivingRoom to have a fundamental literacy class. Since September 2011, free classes have been held at The LivingRoom on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons. Learners are provided with help in reading, writing, computers, and math by Rene Merkel, the class instructor, and Jessica Jessome, a staff member at The LivingRoom.

You can read more about this exciting partnership here:

http://dteslit.blogspot.com/2011/12/new-learning-centre-at-livingroom.html

This month's issue of 'Round DTES Literacy Life also features a story on the learning centre at The LivingRoom. You can read the issue here.

CHRISTMAS GIFT DONATIONS NEEDED FOR HOMELESS in DTES

Wed, 30 Nov 2011 21:47:22 PST

Lookout Emergency Aid Society - a non-profit housing society in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside needs your help!
Many of our tenants & shelter guests find Christmas a lonely time of year for many reasons and many have no connection to family members.

Each year, Lookout Emergency Aid Society tries to give a gift to our tenants and guests on Christmas Day. The atmosphere of excitement and gratitude is evident when they receive their gifts! This year, due to the increased number of tenants and guests, we are asking for NEW GIFT donations (approx. $5.00 limit) to ensure that everyone receives a gift.

Our wish list is for brand new items such as:
- bath towels and kitchen towels
- socks
- slippers (generic size L)
- umbrellas
- rain ponchos (good for those guests that are in electric wheelchairs)
Of course, any gift is greatly appreciated, even if not from our wish list!

*There is no need to wrap your donated gift, we have volunteers who are helping with this.

Please drop off your donations to:
528 Powell Street
LivingRoom Drop In
Between the hours of 10am – 8:00 pm weekdays
and 10:00 – 6:00 pm on weekends

Your donation will help us to brighten someone’s Christmas and make them feel included in the festivities around this time. Thank you for your kindness!!

Dundarave Festival of Lights - Christmas 2011

Sun, 27 Nov 2011 11:23:35 PST

This Christmas, The Dundarave Festival is raising funds for Lookout Society. Please come out and support our social enterprise, training homeless and at risk people cooking skills, while feeding other homeless people. Visit the link for more information.

Lookout Calendars on Sale

Wed, 23 Nov 2011 10:01:11 PST

The 2012 Lookout Calendar will be available at Lonsdale Quay the weekends of December.