One low-income Vancouver mom’s kids are going to have presents under their tree this year thanks to the hours she spends standing in the cold, and the popularity of the Hope In Shadows calendar.
Catherine, who did not want her last name printed, stands outside Waterfront Station selling the calendars, which feature black-and-white photos of Downtown Eastside residents taken by fellow residents.
Pivot Legal Society prints the calendars and sells them to low-income and homeless residents, who buy them for $10 and sell them for $20.
This year, 16,000 were printed – up from 13,300 printed and sold out last year, and 9,000 in 2007.
Last year, Catherine sold more than 700 calendars, bringing home at least $7,000 in profit, which she used to pay off her debts.
She’s using much of the money from this year’s sales to buy Christmas gifts for her kids.
“People are happy to see us,” said Catherine. “People look for you on the street and say they have been looking all over for (you).”
“Most (say they) like helping the vendors, and that’s one of the main reasons why they buy (the calendar).”
Catherine said being a vendor has helped her overcome not just financial barriers – she is on disability welfare – but her depression and anxiety.
“It’s really helped me get out and deal with things. It’s motivating. I look forward to doing it. It gets me out and socializing a little bit more than I had been. You have to push yourself to do it.”
VanCity is involved in the funding and training of vendors, and has seven branches acting as a depot for the calendars, keeping a supply on hand.
Janette Hunter, manager of the VanCity community branch near Terminal Avenue and Quebec Street, said it’s nice to facilitate vendors’ self-reliance.
“They’re quite proud that they’re using their own initiative to earn a bit of a living,” she said. “The more work they put into it, the better they do, and that’s motivating.”
Hunter said some vendors open accounts with the bank, which lets staff pass on financial advice, as well.
