Yvonne Mark
Writer
Amy Romer
Local Journalism Initiative DTES Beat Reporter/Mentor
I was barely two weeks clean and sober when I went to an ice cream social at the old Maritime Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) meeting in Vancouver. It was raining, and I’d worn a dress with shoes that were nearly impossible to walk in. I mention this because I was trying hard to look good — at least on the outside.
My face was hollow and I was a wreck inside, but someone from AA — now a dear friend — welcomed me with open arms. I’ll never forget it, because at the time, I felt anything but huggable or worthy of acceptance. I have so much respect for anyone who practises the art of welcoming. It truly makes a difference.
The theme of the meeting was “The Courage to Change,” spelled out proudly on a banner across the wall. That phrase stayed with me, and throughout my sobriety I’ve repeated it to myself — because it really does take courage to change.
Over the years, I’ve used a lot of the mottos from AA. “Just for today,” and “Easy does it,” and others.
I’m coming up to 20 years of wonderful, yet at times cumbersome sobriety. I was 50 going on 15 when I finally surrendered to my addictions.
Ironically, my last day of using and drinking was on my dear and beautiful daughter’s birthday. In many ways, it was the best gift I could have given; the difference it’s made for my children and for myself is like night and day.
I’ll be forever grateful for the gift of sobriety.
One day at a time.
Yvonne Mark (Nisga’a-Gitxsan) is a Megaphone vendor and member of The Shift peer newsroom. She is an outspoken advocate for recovery and the Downtown Eastside. Megaphone file photo.
Published in Megaphone magazine on October 2, 2025
Yvonne Mark
Writer
Yvonne Mark (Nisga’a-Gitxsan) is a Megaphone vendor and member of The Shift peer newsroom. She has taken part in many creative writing and journalism workshops through Megaphone, and was featured in the 2021 Voices of the Street podcast. She is an outspoken advocate for the Downtown Eastside.
Amy Romer
Local Journalism Initiative DTES Beat Reporter/Mentor
Amy Romer is an award-winning journalist and visual storyteller based in Squamish, British Columbia. Her work focuses primarily on human rights and the environment. She is a National Geographic Explorer. She is also mentoring members of The Shift Peer Newsroom as Megaphone's Local Journalism Initiative DTES Beat Reporter/Mentor. Visit amyromer.com to view her work.
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