As part of Global Studio, I worked with the Vancouver Area Network of Drug Users (VANDU), a community organization of drug users and former users who provide peer support, education, and recovery help. Forced out of their SROs (single-room-occupancies) during the day, residents are left on the streets and many women are harassed in the male-dominant area. The neighborhood has the least amount of green space but the greatest demand for public facilities in the city. Inspired by Rebar’s Park(ing) project, we collaborated with VANDU’s Women’s Group to plan and promote a community park in one of the area’s many vacant lots. We set up a temporary park in two street parking spaces, presented preliminary ideas for community spaces, archived case studies of successful community gardens, gathered comments and feedback from local residents, spread the word through local publications and television channels, and delivered a final petition package to the mayor.
In addition to the event, I designed a local resource guide made for and by recovering female drug addicts. During peer support meetings the women would scribble down and xerox a recommended event and pass pages around; they had no easier way to keep track. To help remedy this, the guide includes a blank calendar to help maintain a positive schedule for peer support meetings and more. It also includes a map of female-friendly organizations, key of services, and list of phone numbers for crisis, legal and recovery help. The pamphlet is easily xerox-able at community facilities and, as suggested by VANDU members, the pamphlet folds down to wallet-size for easy portability. 2006.
Temporary park on Hastings Street
The team, minus VANDU Women’s Group (for privacy)
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