These ideas also came out when we had a discussion about how the WISH learning centre was different from the main part of the drop-in:

Here (in the Learning Centre) there is emptiness and peace and quiet, tea, and you can work on your GED. Margaret said that she feels more relaxed in this room. Over there (in the main section of the drop-in), there is a lot of bickering and it’s more like a flophouse. You can have a conversation in here. It is more civilized and formal in here. You don’t get yelled at in here or spit at or sworn at. There is more fighting over there. Here you learn how to relax. It gets our mind out of the gutter. You ask us how we’re doing, and show concern about the different things we do during the day. (Focus Group #1)

Participants were quite clear that their self-esteem needed to be built up, and really appreciated the efforts that were made by different programs in the Downtown Eastside. For example:

Frances spoke about her experience with living with violence and how a counsellor had helped her with her self esteem and helped her to leave a cruel and violent man. “I have to hand it to WISH: I joined Colette’s group (The Aboriginal Health and Safety Project) for sex trade ladies and we met Tuesdays and Thursdays. They helped me with my self-esteem and my sick way of thinking. I was with a very cruel, violent man and I stayed with him for two years. My life was hell and I thought something would change, but it just got worse. So that’s what I think of when I see this “living with violence”. WISH has helped me, it helped me with my self-esteem and it helped me to get back into the right place. Especially when you’re using — it could be drugs or alcohol. Even a big ego — you don’t have to do drugs or booze. It’s just getting down and being humble to yourself.” The group thanked her for sharing her story. (Focus Group #1)

As important as the “roses” are, we have also found that programs do not survive if we ignore the “bread” — and we mean that literally. The welfare and disability incomes that most downtown eastside residents collect are not nearly enough to survive on in Vancouver. For example, until recently, single 'employable' adults aged 18-64 received a benefit rate of $510/month ($325 for shelter and $185 for other living expenses, which amounts to $6 a day). With the 2007 budget, these rates were raised to $610, with $375 to be paid for shelter and $235 for other expenses. Also, while the total rate for single clients who are expected to work increased by $100 per month, the rate for couples increased by only $50 per month. This rate is still woefully inadequate for someone living in Vancouver, so it is essential for them to supplement their income using the food bank, lining up for free meals, finding free clothes, working in the sex trade, etc. (and because couples get less, they may feel forced to live separately even if they want to be with their partners)^{Footnote 13}