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SAVE THE DATE! McLaren Goes To The Races!
On Saturday, September 19th, 2015, McLaren is hosting a fabulous event at the Hastings Racecourse! McLaren is honoured to be one of 8 organizations to have been awarded a Community Day from the Hastings Racecourse for 2015. With a delicious BBQ lunch, silent auction, local entertainment and of course, thrilling live racing, this event is not to be missed! Stay tuned for more information about purchasing tickets!
Photo by Michelle Gosney.
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37th Annual Pride Parade
McLaren is so excited to be taking part in the Pride Parade! Happening on August 2nd, 2015, starting at noon, this parade is one of the most beautiful and diverse parades in the world. Attracting crowds of more than 650,000, the Vancouver Pride Parade is renowned on the international stage as one of the largest and most successful LGBTQ2+ events in the world.
This year, the theme is Gender Super Heroes! Gender Heroes reflects the diversity of our community, and the need for people to have role models that reflect and inspire.
Keep an eye out for our float and be sure to say hello!
Photo by Don Martin.
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AIDS Walk For Life
On September 20th, Joel Leung will once again be walking on behalf of McLaren at the 30th Annual AIDS Walk For Life.
All net proceeds raised by the walk become part of Positive Living BC’s Community Health Fund (CHF). The CHF reimburses low-income HIV-positive members with up to $25 a month for health expenses not covered by other plans. Even little things such as drinking filtered water and getting the right vitamins can determine the fate of someone with a compromised immune system.
Click here to support Joel in his walk!
Together we are strong. Together we can help.
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VIP Visit from Ted McLaren's Family - By Kim Stacey, Executive Director
Five years ago I started working for McLaren Housing Society. Like many people I knew little about the organization other than it was named after Ted McLaren who died when the AIDS crisis was in its infancy.
In looking through the donations made during our Holiday Appeal, I noticed a cheque from Daphne McLaren, Ted’s mom. Included was a short note, beautifully written by hand, thanking us for all our work and how much Ted would have loved it.
Since then we have kept in touch and as a result Ted’s sister Kathleen and her son Jeremy visited Helmcken House and Howe Street last month. It was an emotional day for all of us. Lots of laughter, some tears, many stories and above all a confirmation of the deep connection between this organization and the family name it bears.
Pictured: Jeremy and Kathleen with staff members Michelle and Latisha; Jeremy enjoying the sunny 8th floor roof garden
Photos by: Henk Piket; Kathleen Bailey
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Howe Street Official Opening and SAVE THE DATE for a Community Celebration on September 15th! - By Kim Stacey, Executive Director
We are excited to announce the official opening of 1249 Howe Street on Monday, July 6th, 2015, at 2pm. Attendees will include Federal, Provincial and City representatives, together with BC Housing and StreetoHome Foundation staff and board members. The financial contributions of the aforementioned community partners was essential in the construction and development of the building which provides 110 units of supported housing with staffing 24/7.
Darren Kopetsky, who was instrumental in the planning and development of Howe Street, and is the Past Board President of McLaren Housing Society, will speak along with Rich Coleman, Deputy Premier of BC and the Minister of Natural Gas Development and Minister Responsible for Housing.
The Community Celebration for Howe Street will be held on Tuesday, September 15th, 2015. You are all invited to join us! It is planned for Daphne McLaren and two of her children to attend this event so that they can meet many of the other important people in our community. We recently discovered that Ted died in October 1985 - how fitting for this celebration to take place on the 30th anniversary of his passing. His spirit lives on.
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 Howe Street Community Kitchen -
By Alicia Costa, Resident Support Worker
Three times a week residents gather on the second floor of our 12-storey supportive housing building at 1249 Howe St. Located on the second floor is a kitchen and garden space to gather, cook, and socialize. With the goal of building community and combating depression and isolation in mind, staff teach residents a new recipe each time. By using a wholesome freshly prepared meal as a tool, we have found it helps residents develop strong bonds with the staff and their neighbours.
Acknowledging the importance of food security and access to quality nutrition each recipe is selected by our amazing Life Skills Workers to meet and exceed nutritional guidelines for people with lower or compromised immune systems. Special attention is given to make a wide range of foods available to reflect the diversity of our residents. Especially culturally appropriate and traditional Indigenous foods and preparation. Large holiday meals are also prepared and served in this space as well to give the opportunity for residents to come together and celebrate.
A special thanks to our community partners at Nester’s Market Yaletown, the Greater Vancouver Foodbank Society and The Cutting Edges Hockey Club. Without their support this program would not be possible.
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At Home At Howe Study - By Dr Surita Parashar, BC Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS
McLaren recently opened the doors to the Howe Street Residence, a 110-unit supportive housing complex, the largest HIV-specific residential building in Canada.
In March 2015, researchers at the BC Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS launched a study investigating the impact of this supportive housing model on the health and well being of Howe street residents.
At Home At Howe is a community based research study, which means the needs of the community drive the research. McLaren Housing is not involved in conducting or analyzing the study findings, but is an active supporter of this important work. Through the findings of this project, McLaren will be better positioned to improve programming, support clients in the ways they need, and to provide evidence to policy makers that housing is health - something that McLaren has known for years.
Two Peer Research Associates, people living with HIV and having common experiences to Howe street residents, were hired to design and administer the survey, and to recruit study participants.
There has been a keen response from residents to participate in the study, which involves a one-hour confidential survey administered by one of the Peer Research Associates. The contributions of the study participants has been invaluable. In a few short months we have learned so much about the impact of this housing model on residents' sense of well being.
The At Home At Howe study is ongoing. Howe street residents who are interested in participating are welcome to call the study team at 604-806-8781 to arrange a confidential interview with one of the Peer Research Associates. The study team expresses heart felt thanks to all those who have already contributed to this project.
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