our Blog

Press Release - Important Please Read

2011-11-14T14:57:00.000-08:00

(VANCOUVER) November 14, 2011 – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

PEERS VANCOUVER, THE ONLY ORGANIZATION DEDICATED TO HELPING SEX WORKERS EXIT THE SEX TRADE FORCED TO CLOSE ITS DOORS DUE TO PROVINCIAL EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM CHANGES IN 2012
Over the last 10 years, PEERS Vancouver Resource Society has helped
hundreds of clients exit the sex trade and transition into healthier and
safer lifestyles. Through programming, public education and peer support
we have worked tirelessly to facilitate long-term life-changes for women,
men, and transgender individuals involved in the sex industry.

Under the provincial government’s new Business Transformation model, our
Bridging to Employment program will not be receiving any direct funding
from the Ministry of Social Development. As of April 2012, PEERS Vancouver
will no longer be able to provide the comprehensive programming that is
necessary to ensure our client’s personal and professional success in the
mainstream world.

An organization that assists individuals in a survival state cannot
operate in a similar state itself. Our successes are due to the
relationships of trust we have built with our clientele and with exiting
being a process not an event, core funding is mandatory. We have many
smaller project funders that enhance our programming by supporting our
outreach, public education and prevention efforts but we cannot exist on
these alone.

It is hard to ignore the unfortunate irony of the timing of this press
release, during the Missing and Murdered Women’s Inquiry and shortly after
the City’s release of the report “Preventing Sexual Exploitation and
Protecting Vulnerable Adults & Neighbourhoods Affected by Sex Work: A
Comprehensive Approach and Action Plan”.

The report clearly identifies the need for a coordinated approach that
specifies the inclusion of investments in social services and supports,
including adequate resources to assist individuals to exit sex work. There
was significant press on the report, none of which covered what is being
done for sex workers and the solution-based models in place for them such
as PEERS.

“It is inspirational working at PEERS Vancouver. Helping sex workers
realize that their value does not come in a dollar amount and not only are
they able to be productive members of society but they have a right to be
is incredibly rewarding.” – Ty Mistry, Executive Director

It is undeniable that the closure of PEERS Vancouver will be a tremendous
loss for the entire community and will create a serious gap along the
continuum of support for individuals involved in the sex industry.

-30-

Contact for PEERS Vancouver
Ty Mistry, Executive Director
Office: 604 681 3017
Cell: 778 838 3017
admin@peersvancouver.org
www.peersvancouver.org

Come celebrate with us!

2011-10-21T09:23:00.000-07:00

2011-08-25T11:48:00.001-07:00

Please join us in celebrating the launch of

The
View
From Here

A compilation book by writers of the
Downtown Eastside Studio Society workshops.

Wednesday, August 31st from 7 to 10pm
at Nelson the Seagull, 315 Carrall St.

Free for workshop participants, by donation
for everyone else.

Wine, snacks, music, and readings from the book!

Staff Emails are up!

2011-05-04T10:37:00.000-07:00

We are pleased to inform you that our staff emails are back up and running!

We again apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused you, and thank you for your patience and understanding!'

Staff Emails are down!

2011-05-03T10:38:00.000-07:00

Our staff emails are currently down, as our current provider is having a major server issue.

Alternatively you can send us an email at peersvancouver@gmail.com.

We do apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. We will provide an update as soon as service returns!

Netreach Coming Soon!

2011-04-29T13:20:00.000-07:00

We are pleased to announce Netreach (online outreach) coming in the month of May!

Check Back Soon!

visit the HUSTLE Blog

Internet Luring Every Parent Needs to Watch This!

2011-03-20T13:54:00.000-07:00

This recent past Holiday season was a joyous and celebratory time at PEERS Vancouver

2011-01-27T13:12:00.001-08:00

This recent past Holiday season was a joyous and celebratory time at PEERS Vancouver. We enjoyed a festive time during which we attended a celebratory dinner in honour of the season and even more so in honour of our graduates. We had the opportunity to visit the Vancouver Art Gallery. We also welcomed several guest speakers from both Pivot Legal and the Centre for Concurrent Disorders, both of whom presented fascinating and relevant information.
We had a graduating class of women who all completed the Elements program with bright futures a head of them.

Hustle recently welcomed both Steve and Rachel to our outreach team. The positive attitudes and exceptional experience they bring is a clear asset to the work we do.
Leah who has been with us for some time as a volunteer and practicum student will be formally joining our staff and we are lucky to have her. She is a highly skilled and sincerely caring individual... and crafty as all get out!

Our team has gone through some changes of late but we are stronger than ever.
Of course this website and our logo are also new additions. This is a time of renewal for PEERS Vancouver. We may encounter obstacles, (who doesn't), but those obstacle inspire us to be ever more dedicated, never wavering from our mission to help those who are amongst one of the most vulnerable peoples, to rebuild their lives and reclaim their dignity.

"On the Tracks" V.O.G.

2010-10-31T17:12:00.001-07:00

From Amanda Bonella -Co Founder of PEERS Vancouver

2010-10-31T15:13:00.000-07:00