Info for participants:
604-558-4031
Meal times:
7 am Breakfast
3 pm Lunch
6 pm Dinner
Snacks served at 10:30 am, 10:30 pm & 1 am.
WISH is exceptionally proud to operate Canada’s first 24/7 emergency shelter for street-based sex workers.
This program is responsive to the specific needs of participants. For example, those staying in the Shelter are free to leave and return at any hour, and they can access dedicated space to get ready for work in the Shelter’s newly created make-up room.
Importantly, women and gender diverse sex workers in need of shelter can access a safe space to sleep while continuing to connect with all the programs, services, and wraparound supports that WISH has to offer.
Shelter residents have regular access to:
- Showers
- Laundry
- Clothing & makeup donations
- Harm reduction supplies
- Food and drinks
- Peer-led activities
“I’m not in a place of desperation anymore and can up my prices. I don’t have to exchange low-cost sex work for a place to stay.”
– WISH participant
The Shelter team includes 6 members of WISH’s Supportive Employment Program (SEP). The goal of SEP is to provide support for sex workers seeking mainstream employment opportunities. With experience as WISH participants, SEP staff bring an immensely valuable skillset and level of understanding to frontline work.
The Shelter first opened its doors on October 26, 2020 thanks to critical support from BC Housing and the City of Vancouver.
Three beds are allocated to sex workers seeking short-term respite, and 20 longer-term beds are available for participants to use while more permanent housing solutions are found.
This critical resource is made possible thanks to your continued support, as well as years of advocacy and allyship from neighbouring organizations and community allies— including the Downtown Eastside Women’s Centre and Atira Women’s Resource Society.
