Surprise gifts warm hearts of vulnerable women

VANCOUVER—For women struggling with the effects of B.C.’s overdose crisis, homelessness, and past abuses in residential schools, a weekly downtown program offers a ray of hope.

“There are a lot of people passing away,” said Brenda, one of a dozen ladies at Women’s Wednesday at The Door is Open.

She recently attended a memorial service for her son and said she finds comfort in the community at The Door Is Open, where other vulnerable women like her get a free meal and time to chat and work on some arts and crafts.

“I love the women here. They’re awesome.” Brenda estimates she’s been coming to Women’s Wednesdays for six years, and the guests and volunteers feel like family.

“It’s good to have good friends. We may not have family, but all our friends are family.”

Next to her, residential school survivor Mamie was working on a First Nations smudge plate, using tools at the drop-in centre.

“It’s been a place to get away and be with your friends,” she said. Mamie was also thrilled with a special treat that day; members of the Catholic Women’s League at St. Pius X Parish delivered free bags filled with clothing, toiletries, towels, and stuffed toys.

“I love that bag,” said Mamie. Her daughter and three grandchildren are living in second-stage housing after being homeless for seven months.

“I’ll give the toys and stuff to my grandkids and I’ll use the towel for myself,” said Mamie. The smudge plate will be a housewarming gift for her daughter when she gets her own place.

Brenda was also happy to receive the unexpected gift of clothing, towels, and a small stuffed dog. “Everything helps down here.”

The ladies from St. Pius X, also known as the CWL Crafters, sew cloth bags out of recycled material. It’s an initiative, said member Eileen Lewis, that’s motivated by a concern for the less fortunate and for the environment.

“Plastic is toxic to the environment and to the animals,” said Lewis. “To encourage people to use less plastic,” the CWL crafters turn unused table cloths and drapes into hundreds of cloth bags they sell at craft fairs and to friends.

All the funds they collect (so far about $1,300) go straight to charities that support seniors and homeless or abused women.

When the CWL Crafters heard they could do something for The Door Is Open, they filled 18 of their handmade bags with clothing and other necessities and personally delivered them Jan. 10. 

It’s not the first time St. Pius X volunteers have made the trip from North Vancouver; for many years, volunteers made sandwiches for the homeless alongside the Sisters of the Atonement, back when they used to run The Door is Open. 

Lewis said they’ve also donated their bags to charities including Agape Street Ministry and Sancta Maria House.