Message from the Board

Published in WISH’s 2024-25 Annual Report

As we reflect on a year of significant transformation for WISH and celebrate the incredible accomplishment of 40 years of WISH, I am reminded of the people that have contributed to making WISH what it is today.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, WISH expanded services to meet the rapidly growing needs of our community. To those at WISH during that time – the board, leadership team, staff, and volunteers – I commend your tireless efforts. I am grateful for your work supporting those left behind in a global crisis, those most vulnerable in our community.

While this expansion was necessary to meet the need, we are now feeling the impacts of a return to pre-COVID funding levels, with further reductions in resources available in our current political and economic climate. These funding constraints led to very difficult decisions this fiscal year, including the temporary closure of the Drop-In.

The lack of long term, multi-year funding puts many organizations, like WISH, in a precarious position year after year. This uncertainty is felt at every level of the organization, most deeply affecting participants whose lives can depend on the services available to them.

WISH is very fortunate to be navigating this temporary closure, and the impacts to street-based sex workers in our community, under the leadership of our new Executive Director Kara Gillies. After an extensive recruitment process, WISH welcomed Kara in September 2024. Kara draws on her many years of experience and deep knowledge while responding with adaptability and creativity to funding uncertainties and the colliding crises deeply impacting lives on the Downtown Eastside, always keeping the focus on ways to better serve sex workers.

With the support of an incredible leadership team and dedicated staff and volunteers, the board is confident in WISH’s ability to adapt while still living our values of acceptance, dignity and respect for street-based sex workers. The care with which every person at WISH approaches the work, and those we serve, is why WISH is still here after 40 years.

It is with your support – funders and donors – that WISH will continue to offer that deep care for 40 more. I raise my hands to you all, haawa (thank you in Haida).