“I’m 46-years-old and was born and raised in Ottawa, Ontario. I came to Vancouver in 2002. I was going to transition to Victoria, but when those employment options fell through I ended up in Vancouver, taking security jobs. Struggling to find housing, I moved to the Downtown Eastside and from there, fell in love with the community.

“One day I saw [another vendor] selling the street paper and that sparked my interest. I became involved with the paper and have been very proud to participate since then.

“I think poverty and homelessness in Vancouver is fixable. We have the ability to change people’s lives so that they don’t have to face those life situations. As one person I can’t change the world, but if I start by changing one person’s life then I change their world and my world.

“[As a vendor] I feel very encouraged by the compassion shown by the people here in Vancouver. That customers are willing to reach out and make that personal connection is great. I’d like to sincerely thank all those people who have stopped and talked to me. People who have taken the time out of their lives to make that connection, not just with me, but with all our vendors."