Providence once again `walks the talk' in the park

By Laureen McMahon

Providence Health Care staff, physicians, and volunteers are becoming familiar faces to the locals who frequent Oppenheimer Park on Cordova Street, one of the few green spaces in Vancouver's notorious Downtown Eastside.

Ryan Bushby / Wikimedia Commons Organizers are hoping these empty lawns in front of the legislature will be filled next week with crowds of people proclaiming that abortion is harmful for mothers as well as their unborn babies. The Thursday, May 8, B.C. rally has been timed to coincide with marches in Ottawa and several other provinces.

Over 500 people turned out on April 5, when volunteers from PHC gave out free food, clothing, and toiletries.

Sister Margaret Vickers, SCIC, who can be credited with being an inspirational guiding force behind the initiative, called it "a great opportunity to reach outside ourselves and care for the larger community around us."

The twice-yearly Oppenheimer program, now in its fifth year, said Sister Vickers, honours the PHC traditions of care and the spirit of the founding congregations who searched out those whose need was the greatest.

A PHC spokesman said that this kind of charity in action is even more necessary than when it began five years ago, because recent statistics indicate that homelessness in Vancouver neighbourhoods has jumped 20 per cent since 2005.

"A big thanks goes out to all the volunteers, corporate sponsors, and PHC Mission Teams who made this event possible," said Thomas Salley, Mission Leader. "It is our hope that it will continue to grow and that we can help more people each year."

Back by popular demand after last fall's visit are the hair-cutting sessions which seem to give many people a much-needed sense of renewal and hope.

PHC staff and volunteers unable to attend showed their support by donating clothes, food, or money.

Providence Health Care operates St. Paul's, Mount Saint Joseph, and Holy Family Hospitals as well as St. Vincent's Langara, Brock Fahrni Pavilion, Youville Residence, and Marion Hospice.

Three years ago PHC received the International Spirit at Work Award by the Association for Spirit at Work.