PHS Community Services Society
@phscss.bsky.social
Housing, harm reduction and healthcare in Vancouver & Victoria, BC
Stephen Ruben never thought he'd end up homeless and sheltering under a tarp in his retirement.
“I’m 66 years of age, no safety net for me at all. . . 44 years, and this is what I have for that,” he said.
tinyurl.com/5468pau5
“I’m 66 years of age, no safety net for me at all. . . 44 years, and this is what I have for that,” he said.
tinyurl.com/5468pau5
November 9, 2025 at 6:00 PM
Stephen Ruben never thought he'd end up homeless and sheltering under a tarp in his retirement.
“I’m 66 years of age, no safety net for me at all. . . 44 years, and this is what I have for that,” he said.
tinyurl.com/5468pau5
“I’m 66 years of age, no safety net for me at all. . . 44 years, and this is what I have for that,” he said.
tinyurl.com/5468pau5
Special thanks to the team on the CBC show Allegiance who donated clothing from the production earlier this week.
These items will be shared with people in the Downtown Eastside who are in need - people using our shelters and those coming up to the door asking for help because they are cold and wet
These items will be shared with people in the Downtown Eastside who are in need - people using our shelters and those coming up to the door asking for help because they are cold and wet
November 8, 2025 at 6:00 PM
Special thanks to the team on the CBC show Allegiance who donated clothing from the production earlier this week.
These items will be shared with people in the Downtown Eastside who are in need - people using our shelters and those coming up to the door asking for help because they are cold and wet
These items will be shared with people in the Downtown Eastside who are in need - people using our shelters and those coming up to the door asking for help because they are cold and wet
“What’s killing people? It’s not decriminalization, it’s not prescription programs, it’s the unregulated toxic drug supply fueled by organized crime” - Guy Felicella.
“There’s a lot of counterfeit drugs on the street, a lot of counterfeit prescription drugs on the street."
tinyurl.com/4a3s754v
“There’s a lot of counterfeit drugs on the street, a lot of counterfeit prescription drugs on the street."
tinyurl.com/4a3s754v
November 8, 2025 at 3:00 AM
“What’s killing people? It’s not decriminalization, it’s not prescription programs, it’s the unregulated toxic drug supply fueled by organized crime” - Guy Felicella.
“There’s a lot of counterfeit drugs on the street, a lot of counterfeit prescription drugs on the street."
tinyurl.com/4a3s754v
“There’s a lot of counterfeit drugs on the street, a lot of counterfeit prescription drugs on the street."
tinyurl.com/4a3s754v
Reposted by PHS Community Services Society
The November issue of @megaphonemagazine.com is now available around Vancouver from your favourite vendors 🎁 This month in my column I featured Holiday Hamper campaigns.
megaphonemagazine.com/find-a-vendor/
megaphonemagazine.com/find-a-vendor/
November 7, 2025 at 9:50 PM
The November issue of @megaphonemagazine.com is now available around Vancouver from your favourite vendors 🎁 This month in my column I featured Holiday Hamper campaigns.
megaphonemagazine.com/find-a-vendor/
megaphonemagazine.com/find-a-vendor/
Reposted by PHS Community Services Society
“Politicians need to do better, and this case is really, really clear on that.”
Harm reductionists explain a key victory, as a Supreme Court of Canada ruling affirms protection from possession arrests for people at an OD scene.
@maddidellplain.bsky.social reports:
Harm reductionists explain a key victory, as a Supreme Court of Canada ruling affirms protection from possession arrests for people at an OD scene.
@maddidellplain.bsky.social reports:
Landmark Ruling Fortifies Canada’s “Good Samaritan” Overdose Law
Harm reductionists see the decision, protecting people from possession arrests at overdose scenes, as a vital win in a worsening landscape.
filtermag.org
November 6, 2025 at 3:46 PM
“Politicians need to do better, and this case is really, really clear on that.”
Harm reductionists explain a key victory, as a Supreme Court of Canada ruling affirms protection from possession arrests for people at an OD scene.
@maddidellplain.bsky.social reports:
Harm reductionists explain a key victory, as a Supreme Court of Canada ruling affirms protection from possession arrests for people at an OD scene.
@maddidellplain.bsky.social reports:
Reposted by PHS Community Services Society
Freedom of expression is an important Canadian right. Please sign our petition to let Post Media know that we don’t agree with their recent decision to pull my opinion column after pressure by someone who didn’t like it.
Thanks for having me. I hope you followers will speak out in support of freedom of speech and the voice of lived experience like @guyfelicella.bsky.social by signing this letter forms.gle/hPG9oPJ5aKQW...
Signatories to the letter to Post Media
OPEN LETTER To Rob Roberts, Postmedia Editor in Chief and Monica Zurowski, Deputy Editor Calgary Herald
Cc: Canadian Association of Journalists and National NewsMedia Council
LETTER TEXT THAT YOU AGR...
forms.gle
November 2, 2025 at 9:45 PM
Freedom of expression is an important Canadian right. Please sign our petition to let Post Media know that we don’t agree with their recent decision to pull my opinion column after pressure by someone who didn’t like it.
Reposted by PHS Community Services Society
While the Good Samaritan Drug Overdose Act ensures immunity from charges for simple drug possession during an overdose, the Supreme Court of Canada says that protection must also extend to arrests. www.nationalmagazine.ca/en-ca/articl...
Supreme Court of Canada clarifies Good Samaritan law
In drug overdoses, it provides immunity from charges for simple possession and extends to subsequent searches and arrests
www.nationalmagazine.ca
October 30, 2025 at 3:49 PM
While the Good Samaritan Drug Overdose Act ensures immunity from charges for simple drug possession during an overdose, the Supreme Court of Canada says that protection must also extend to arrests. www.nationalmagazine.ca/en-ca/articl...
Reposted by PHS Community Services Society
This belongs in @thelouvreof.bsky.social’s Louvre of Real Life exhibit
November 3, 2025 at 7:27 PM
This belongs in @thelouvreof.bsky.social’s Louvre of Real Life exhibit
Reposted by PHS Community Services Society
"B.C.’s Ministry of Health is ordering the @vanislandhealth.bsky.social to reinstate key staff positions for a #youth #mentalhealth program [after] school districts expressed concern... amidst an acute deficit of mental health services for #children" #VancouverIsland #BC www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
B.C. orders Island Health to reinstate mental health supports for youth | CBC News
The B.C. Ministry of Health says it has directed Island Health to reinstate key staff positions that were cut for a program that is part of British Columbia's strategy for mental health and substance ...
www.cbc.ca
November 5, 2025 at 4:16 PM
"B.C.’s Ministry of Health is ordering the @vanislandhealth.bsky.social to reinstate key staff positions for a #youth #mentalhealth program [after] school districts expressed concern... amidst an acute deficit of mental health services for #children" #VancouverIsland #BC www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
Reposted by PHS Community Services Society
Despite the state health department funding harm reduction groups, Michigan has no law that explicitly supports syringe access—but does have local ordinances that explicitly criminalize it.
Michigan Will Again Try to Legalize Its Rising Number of Syringe Programs
Despite health department funding, Michigan has no state law explicitly authorizing SSP—but does have local ordinances against syringe access.
filtermag.org
November 3, 2025 at 3:52 PM
Despite the state health department funding harm reduction groups, Michigan has no law that explicitly supports syringe access—but does have local ordinances that explicitly criminalize it.
With Smokey D live painting, artwork from DTES residents AND a bus tour of public toilets, an evening celebrating neighbourhood creativity will itself be performance art.
Shelter X Crab Park X DTES Art Sale
312 Main Street
Tuesday, Nov. 4
From 5 to 8 pm
Shelter X Crab Park X DTES Art Sale
312 Main Street
Tuesday, Nov. 4
From 5 to 8 pm
Stir Q&A: Shelter tackles homelessness through art at Downtown Eastside Heart of the City Festival — Stir
Radix Theatre project helps put paint supplies in the hands of marginalized artists whose works will show on bus shelters and at November 4 art sale
www.createastir.ca
November 3, 2025 at 3:00 AM
With Smokey D live painting, artwork from DTES residents AND a bus tour of public toilets, an evening celebrating neighbourhood creativity will itself be performance art.
Shelter X Crab Park X DTES Art Sale
312 Main Street
Tuesday, Nov. 4
From 5 to 8 pm
Shelter X Crab Park X DTES Art Sale
312 Main Street
Tuesday, Nov. 4
From 5 to 8 pm
It's fitting that Downtown Eastside hero Tray Helten will be honoured during the Heart of the City Festival of the community he did so much to support.
Ashtrey Forever: A Short Film Series Tribute with Nat Canuel is from 7 - 8:30 pm on Friday, Nov. 7.
FREE
Info:
Ashtrey Forever: A Short Film Series Tribute with Nat Canuel is from 7 - 8:30 pm on Friday, Nov. 7.
FREE
Info:
Ashtrey Forever: A Short Film Series Tribute with Nat Canuel
A not-to-be-missed night to honour, laugh, and celebrate DTES hero and legend featuring Trey's funny, eye-opening unseen shorts.
www.eventbrite.ca
November 2, 2025 at 6:00 PM
It's fitting that Downtown Eastside hero Tray Helten will be honoured during the Heart of the City Festival of the community he did so much to support.
Ashtrey Forever: A Short Film Series Tribute with Nat Canuel is from 7 - 8:30 pm on Friday, Nov. 7.
FREE
Info:
Ashtrey Forever: A Short Film Series Tribute with Nat Canuel is from 7 - 8:30 pm on Friday, Nov. 7.
FREE
Info:
Olympic gold medallist and two-time World Champion Camryn Rogers is letting the world know how easy it is to find yourself homeless.
Aged 13, just after starting high school, mom Shari lost their home in the leaky condo crisis and they lost it all.
Read their story: tinyurl.com/jknyy5n8
Aged 13, just after starting high school, mom Shari lost their home in the leaky condo crisis and they lost it all.
Read their story: tinyurl.com/jknyy5n8
November 1, 2025 at 5:00 PM
Olympic gold medallist and two-time World Champion Camryn Rogers is letting the world know how easy it is to find yourself homeless.
Aged 13, just after starting high school, mom Shari lost their home in the leaky condo crisis and they lost it all.
Read their story: tinyurl.com/jknyy5n8
Aged 13, just after starting high school, mom Shari lost their home in the leaky condo crisis and they lost it all.
Read their story: tinyurl.com/jknyy5n8
Opens today: The Downtown Eastside Heart of the City Festival brings a sprinkle of gold dust to this unfairly maligned community.
It features more than 100 events across 40 venues between Oct 31 and Nov 8. There's something for everyone
The celebration starts here: www.heartofthecityfestival.com
It features more than 100 events across 40 venues between Oct 31 and Nov 8. There's something for everyone
The celebration starts here: www.heartofthecityfestival.com
November 1, 2025 at 2:00 AM
Opens today: The Downtown Eastside Heart of the City Festival brings a sprinkle of gold dust to this unfairly maligned community.
It features more than 100 events across 40 venues between Oct 31 and Nov 8. There's something for everyone
The celebration starts here: www.heartofthecityfestival.com
It features more than 100 events across 40 venues between Oct 31 and Nov 8. There's something for everyone
The celebration starts here: www.heartofthecityfestival.com
Reposted by PHS Community Services Society
🧵Limiting the #HealthCare options people who use drugs receive doesn't make our communities safer or healthier. As shown over & over again, #syringe services programs save lives, cut down on transmissions of #HIV & #hepatitisC, & make entire communities safer...
bit.ly/MESyringeServices
bit.ly/MESyringeServices
After months of debate, Lewiston council passes needle ordinance
The council removed all references to a 1-to-1 syringe exchange, a piece of the ordinance that had received pushback from state officials.
bit.ly
October 29, 2025 at 8:21 PM
🧵Limiting the #HealthCare options people who use drugs receive doesn't make our communities safer or healthier. As shown over & over again, #syringe services programs save lives, cut down on transmissions of #HIV & #hepatitisC, & make entire communities safer...
bit.ly/MESyringeServices
bit.ly/MESyringeServices
Reposted by PHS Community Services Society
This video highlights some common questions about receiving child support for parents or guardians living in BC. https://youtu.be/aQm9Rjqp6lo?si=_hXYTXOWyTsekqd5
Common questions about receiving child support
This video highlights some common questions about receiving child support for parents or guardians living in BC.00:00 Introduction00:36 Does the amount of ch...
youtu.be
October 29, 2025 at 4:00 PM
This video highlights some common questions about receiving child support for parents or guardians living in BC. https://youtu.be/aQm9Rjqp6lo?si=_hXYTXOWyTsekqd5
Reposted by PHS Community Services Society
"Still With Us was put together in collaboration with a variety of arts organizations and is tied to the 40th anniversary of the former AIDS #VancouverIsland, the health agency now known as AVI Community Health Services." #BritishColumbia #BC #HIV #AIDS www.timescolonist.com/entertainmen...
'Stronger together': Arts community tackles HIV/AIDS with wide-ranging project
Still With Us: A Legacy of HIV/AIDS in the Arts explores the impact of the virus that causes AIDS through the lens of poetry, theatre, opera, and contemporary dance.
www.timescolonist.com
October 28, 2025 at 4:07 PM
"Still With Us was put together in collaboration with a variety of arts organizations and is tied to the 40th anniversary of the former AIDS #VancouverIsland, the health agency now known as AVI Community Health Services." #BritishColumbia #BC #HIV #AIDS www.timescolonist.com/entertainmen...
Reposted by PHS Community Services Society
As a person helping those deemed incapable of managing their finances, I can confirm that there are many of them in shelters or hospitals bc they have no home & are unable to access care facilities bc they don’t qualify or have capacity to pay for their costs of care.
“Ten or 15 years ago, if you were 40 and in a shelter, you were considered old. Now we’re routinely seeing people in their sixties and seventies.” – Nick Wells, Union Gospel Mission.
Older adults are losing housing faster than ever due to Vancouver's soaring rents.
Read on: tinyurl.com/3b66uz7p
Older adults are losing housing faster than ever due to Vancouver's soaring rents.
Read on: tinyurl.com/3b66uz7p
October 26, 2025 at 5:31 PM
As a person helping those deemed incapable of managing their finances, I can confirm that there are many of them in shelters or hospitals bc they have no home & are unable to access care facilities bc they don’t qualify or have capacity to pay for their costs of care.
“Ten or 15 years ago, if you were 40 and in a shelter, you were considered old. Now we’re routinely seeing people in their sixties and seventies.” – Nick Wells, Union Gospel Mission.
Older adults are losing housing faster than ever due to Vancouver's soaring rents.
Read on: tinyurl.com/3b66uz7p
Older adults are losing housing faster than ever due to Vancouver's soaring rents.
Read on: tinyurl.com/3b66uz7p
October 26, 2025 at 5:01 PM
“Ten or 15 years ago, if you were 40 and in a shelter, you were considered old. Now we’re routinely seeing people in their sixties and seventies.” – Nick Wells, Union Gospel Mission.
Older adults are losing housing faster than ever due to Vancouver's soaring rents.
Read on: tinyurl.com/3b66uz7p
Older adults are losing housing faster than ever due to Vancouver's soaring rents.
Read on: tinyurl.com/3b66uz7p
“Human connection changes direction” - Guy Felicella.
One of the first through the door at Insite in 2003, Guy regards harm reduction as a vital first step in his subsequent recovery.
It was the human connection that enabled him to begin seeing his own value.
Read how: tinyurl.com/2p9vve72
One of the first through the door at Insite in 2003, Guy regards harm reduction as a vital first step in his subsequent recovery.
It was the human connection that enabled him to begin seeing his own value.
Read how: tinyurl.com/2p9vve72
October 25, 2025 at 5:01 PM
“Human connection changes direction” - Guy Felicella.
One of the first through the door at Insite in 2003, Guy regards harm reduction as a vital first step in his subsequent recovery.
It was the human connection that enabled him to begin seeing his own value.
Read how: tinyurl.com/2p9vve72
One of the first through the door at Insite in 2003, Guy regards harm reduction as a vital first step in his subsequent recovery.
It was the human connection that enabled him to begin seeing his own value.
Read how: tinyurl.com/2p9vve72
“I am fortunate enough to live in a vehicle” - April Lushaw.
April lives on disability assistance and can't afford rent, so she sleeps in her car.
Sidney, where she lives, has voted against opening an extreme weather response shelter.
Read on: tinyurl.com/3azu24ad
April lives on disability assistance and can't afford rent, so she sleeps in her car.
Sidney, where she lives, has voted against opening an extreme weather response shelter.
Read on: tinyurl.com/3azu24ad
October 25, 2025 at 2:00 AM
“I am fortunate enough to live in a vehicle” - April Lushaw.
April lives on disability assistance and can't afford rent, so she sleeps in her car.
Sidney, where she lives, has voted against opening an extreme weather response shelter.
Read on: tinyurl.com/3azu24ad
April lives on disability assistance and can't afford rent, so she sleeps in her car.
Sidney, where she lives, has voted against opening an extreme weather response shelter.
Read on: tinyurl.com/3azu24ad
Reposted by PHS Community Services Society
A very incomplete list of things we wouldn't have done if we waited for the normies to care:
- abolish slavery
- child labor laws
- votes for women
- social security
- fdic
- welfare
- medicare
- medicaid
- desegregation
- women's sports
- abolish slavery
- child labor laws
- votes for women
- social security
- fdic
- welfare
- medicare
- medicaid
- desegregation
- women's sports
"normies do not care about this thing and so it is no use raising a stink" is imho just an excuse for not doing politics, which is the job of making normies care about something
October 24, 2025 at 3:22 AM
A very incomplete list of things we wouldn't have done if we waited for the normies to care:
- abolish slavery
- child labor laws
- votes for women
- social security
- fdic
- welfare
- medicare
- medicaid
- desegregation
- women's sports
- abolish slavery
- child labor laws
- votes for women
- social security
- fdic
- welfare
- medicare
- medicaid
- desegregation
- women's sports
Reposted by PHS Community Services Society
PLEASE SHARE: #Victoria and #Sooke Overdose Advisory
There are options for safer use: Find information on supervised consumption sites, drug-checking services & more: ow.ly/FgyS50PLkLF
To tell us about a toxic drug event/poisoning text OD to 253787.
There are options for safer use: Find information on supervised consumption sites, drug-checking services & more: ow.ly/FgyS50PLkLF
To tell us about a toxic drug event/poisoning text OD to 253787.
October 24, 2025 at 9:34 PM
PLEASE SHARE: #Victoria and #Sooke Overdose Advisory
There are options for safer use: Find information on supervised consumption sites, drug-checking services & more: ow.ly/FgyS50PLkLF
To tell us about a toxic drug event/poisoning text OD to 253787.
There are options for safer use: Find information on supervised consumption sites, drug-checking services & more: ow.ly/FgyS50PLkLF
To tell us about a toxic drug event/poisoning text OD to 253787.
Reposted by PHS Community Services Society
"The best way for people to protect themselves against these viruses is to get vaccinated. We are so fortunate to be in a time that we have these protective measures, especially for our children."
abcnews.go.com/Health/covid...
abcnews.go.com/Health/covid...
What to know about COVID, flu, RSV vaccines amid respiratory virus season
Here's what to know about the COVID-19, flu and RSV vaccines available for respiratory virus season including who is eligible and where to get them.
abcnews.go.com
October 21, 2025 at 2:51 AM
"The best way for people to protect themselves against these viruses is to get vaccinated. We are so fortunate to be in a time that we have these protective measures, especially for our children."
abcnews.go.com/Health/covid...
abcnews.go.com/Health/covid...
"I enjoy giving that back, because so many people have contributed to my success.
"It's really rewarding to see someone come in and go from not doing well to being housed, maybe they've gotten a haircut, to eating solid meals.
"You get to see people do better."
"It's really rewarding to see someone come in and go from not doing well to being housed, maybe they've gotten a haircut, to eating solid meals.
"You get to see people do better."
'The opposite of addiction is connection' — Rebecca Roberts
Rebecca Roberts went from being a missing person lost in Vancouver's Downtown East Side to a peer support worker, saying that giving back is a big part of her recovery
www.comoxvalleyrecord.com
October 19, 2025 at 5:02 PM
"I enjoy giving that back, because so many people have contributed to my success.
"It's really rewarding to see someone come in and go from not doing well to being housed, maybe they've gotten a haircut, to eating solid meals.
"You get to see people do better."
"It's really rewarding to see someone come in and go from not doing well to being housed, maybe they've gotten a haircut, to eating solid meals.
"You get to see people do better."