[SWAF-Potluck] Volunteers needed desperately

[Barb Altman]

Hello everyone! Happy New Year!! I hope 2013 will bring you all health, happiness and prosperity this year with many wonderful returns in the future!

I am sure most, if not all of you are familiar with PACE (Providing Alternatives Counseling & Education) Society operating in the Downtown Eastside... I am a volunteer and in fact, did my 200 hours of community service there (which was part of my sentence after being convicted of keeping a common bawdy house).  It's one of the most fulfilling volunteer experiences I have ever had...I find myself learning new things all the time.  The staff are amazing, the members inspiring and when I can't volunteer (my health hasn't been too great since late August so I haven't been able to be there since) I really miss it.

They are an important resource to not only the workers in the DTES but to anyone who identifies as a sex worker (former or currently working).  When I first moved here from Winnipeg, after being arrested and charged with everything from the bawdy house charge to sixteen counts of procurement to corruption of children and the apprehension of my kids, PACE was here for me!!! 

 In addition to counseling, and resources, Alka, one of the support workers, took me by the hand (literally) and helped me navigate through the healthcare system as well as the application process to receive a PWD (person with disabilities) designation... 

Honestly, they saved my life on more than one occasion, particularly when I wasn't being allowed contact with my daughter or my parents (the crown wanted to use my daughter as a material witness against me and because she had been placed with my parents I could no longer have contact with them either)... Anyway, long story long, what I am trying to say is they desperately need help!!! They have had to lay off two staff already and really need to get some volunteers in there!!  

Timing for me couldn't be worse as I am dealing with health issues and have weekly treatments that knock me out for at least two or three days/week until late February... So, I am writing to appeal to any of you who might have some time to please consider volunteering for this incredible, invaluable organization!!! PACE will be there for all of us and we need to be there for PACE!!!  If you can't volunteer, never fear (I really want to use some kind of superhero allusion but I should stick to what I know teehee), you may be able to make a financial contribution.  Wouldn't it be amazing to get enough money together to be able to bring one (or more) of the staff back to work?  Beyond that, PACE can always use previously loved (and gently used) clothing, accessories, shoes, boots, outerwear, books, etc. although I would guess they need volunteers first to deal with that stuff... I'm getting ahead of myself!! ;-)

So please consider what you can do to help ensure PACE has the volunteers to keep rockin the service and support they provide that help us all!!  Contact Sheri or Alka at the PACE office, 604-872-7651 for more info... I know they will be thrilled to hear from you!!  

Thanks everyBAWDY!!  I am hoping to see more of you when I am finally feeling better!  Maybe late February when this course of treatments are done!!!!

Have fun and stay safe...XOXOX
Barb in Vangroovy =)