100 years of fighting poverty

from 24 Hours Vancouver

By MATT KIELTYKA, 24 HOURS

In 1907, a group of concerned citizens provided food, support and shelter in the face of emerging poverty in Vancouver.

They called themselves the Central City Foundation (CCF).

A hundred years later, the foundation still provides low-income housing in the Downtown Eastside and is involved in a number of social programs and community services.

But they took some time out yesterday to throw a celebration at Vancouver's Victory Square - with live entertainment, cupcakes and free lunches - to celebrate their birthday.

"We're not really the expensive gala type of organization," said Jennifer Johnstone, Central City's beaming CEO. "So here we are having a street party and serving lunch to 4,000 people."

Johnstone told 24 hours that the foundation's success has been simple.

"We know we're not the solution to all the problems. Sometimes we don't know what the solution is," she said. "But we listen to the community and help address their needs."

Lately, that's meant undertaking some big projects.

The CCF is funding the renovation of the DTES Women's Centre, launching the Phil Bouvier Family Centre in Strathcona - which includes a new 89-space child-care centre - and building B.C.'s first long-term residential treatment centre for drug-addicted youth.

While the issues may be different, Johnstone says the next 100 years will be just like the first for the CCF.