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Prostitution Alternatives Counselling Education P.O. box 73537  1014 Robson St.Vancouver, B.CV6E 1A7Tel: (604) 872-7651 Cel: (604)786-5437 fax: (604) 872-7508 Toll free: 1-866-872-8751 Email: pacekids@vcn.bc.ca |
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Prostitution Alternatives Counselling Education P.O. box 73537 1014 Robson St.Vancouver, B.CV6E 1A7Tel: (604) 872-7651 Cel: (604)786-5437 fax: (604) 872-7508 Toll free: 1-866-872-8751 Email: pacekids@vcn.bc.ca |
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Since the inception of PACE Society seven years ago, one goal was identified over and over again. Youth and Women were amongst the strongest voices, demanding the creation of housing for their population. They identified that housing was ultimately a stepping-stone to ending poverty and prostitution in their lives. This alone would be one small tool to help end the rape, assault, murders, and untimely deaths of these members of our communities. | |||
From this Peer driven unified voice, we The PACE Society team, have brought this dream of safe, supportive, affordable housing to realization. We have been able to do this with the support of the 60 plus volunteers, staff, community members, partnering agencies and the City of Vancouver Social Planning Department, private and corporate donations. Four units of housing in a large house are ready for occupancy. Soon the house will be filled with youth (24 and under) wishing to leave the sex trade.
There is a full contingency of support services in place to help with the difficulties that lay ahead for these young women and men. We will be reaching out to the community to help in the success of this home. In order for these youths to succeed they need access to the same things that most of us take for granted. Counselling,
Education, job opportunities, health care, life skills, community involvement and acceptance. This is the beginning of a long journey for them.
This is possibly the first housing project built in Canada with the total involvement of youth and mentors for the express purpose of investing their time and commitment towards a solution for housing in a “made in Vancouver” project. The Housing Coordinator was quoted: “ These kids show up cold, sick, hungry. They came when we are able to pay a small stipend, they came when we couldn’t. I’ve had youth break down and cry when I’ve had to send them home sick. They worked through the winter with no heat, no windows and no hot water. They showed up for every work crew. They are an inspiration to us all.” 
PACE is very grateful for the support of every one involved. We plan to build 16 more units of long term affordable housing in the next couple of years. Please contact us at PACE for more information on how to help support this current project and the future PACE housing projects. 
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