Theme: Futures We Held

TEDxEast Cordova Street, "Futures We Held", will feature ideas that help us consider how we get to where we are, the obstacles we overcome and who helps us along the way. The stories told will highlight the struggles facing the Downtown Eastside, demystify the community and dispel the myths associated with the people who live there.

312 Main
312 Main Street
Vancouver, British Columbia, V6A 2T2
Canada

Deana Jamerson

Support Worker

Deana lived through over 20 years of addiction, but despite all of the hardships she faced there was never a lack of community or a shortage of people who loved and cared for her. She met her husband on the Downtown Eastside and they found sobriety and healing and have been together for 22 years. While living on the Downtown Eastside, she also found her older brother, whom she had not previously known and currently remains close with. He also lives and works on the Downtown Eastside helping their sisters and brothers. Her journey through addiction has led her from Edmonton to Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside, home to her mother on the Gitanmaax Band reserve, and finally to Surrey where she resides with her husband. Throughout her life she dreamed of marriage and family and can now proudly say all her dreams have come true. Deana celebrated 20 years of sobriety in May and continues to work with her husband to help their friends from Vancouver's Downtown Eastside recover from addiction.

Jodi Gray

Program Manager, Aoki Ross Supportive Housing

Jodi Gray is a trans woman who lives and works on the unceded territory of the Squamish, Tseilwatuth and Musqueam peoples. Jodi has business experience, working in accounting and administration for over 20 years before having to leave it behind for medical reasons. She now utilizes her passion for helping others as the Program Manager of Aoki Ross, Western Canada’s first housing project for transgender, gender diverse and two-spirit people. Jodi has been in this position for the last 3 years and is a strong advocate for more housing for this marginalized population. Jodi is also on the board of LETS and is a former board member of the Catherine White Holman Wellness Centre. She volunteers her time with the UBC Interdisciplinary Health Mentor Program to bring the patients perspective to medical students. Her strong belief is that her willingness to be open about her journey can help future generations not have to go through some of the trauma she has suffered.

Julia Kate Mitchell

Employment and Education Specialist, Pacific Autism Family Network

Julia was diagnosed with dyslexia at age 7, ADHD at age 24 and autism at age 27. She is a dedicated advocate for those who are diagnosed with autism. She founded the meetup group, Weird and Wonderful, a monthly social group. She works for the Pacific Autism Family Network as an Employment and Education Specialist. She is also a life skills coach who supports autistic people to navigate relationships and build self-esteem. Julia enjoys triathlon training, hot yoga, drawing mandalas and blogging.

Lisa Guerin

Program Manager, The Colonial Hotel

For over half of her life, Lisa Guerin has struggled to survive. At the age of 15 she was told by her parents, friends and various social workers that they didn’t expect her to live long. After decades of hearing her story, from past to future, told to her, Guerin has decided to tell her story herself. Guerin story is one of tragedy, perseverance and recovery. She was charged with failure to provide the necessities of life when her 18 month old daughter passed away after accidentally ingesting her ex-partner’s methadone in her partner’s care. Despite being cleared of all other charges she was persecuted in the media throughout the trial. She then came to the Downtown Eastside, where she lived on the streets and then at the Colonial Hotel. When she became pregnant she committed herself to recovering from substance use and has been clean for 8 years. She now cares for her son and nephew, and has worked her way up from a relief worker to the Program Manager at the Colonial Hotel.

Michael Bezabeh

Security Guard

Michael Bezabeh's journey is one of resilience and redemption. Born in Harar, Ethiopia, Michael faced cultural displacement early in life, moving to Addis Ababa and later migrating across continents in search of stability. Settling in Vancouver, his life took an unexpected turn when he fell into addiction, leading to years of struggle and hardship in the Downtown East side. Despite countless setbacks, Michael found strength in family and faith, supported by the Ethiopian Evangelical Church during his darkest times. After years of perseverance and the unwavering support of his loved ones, Michael emerged from his addiction. Today, he works as a security guard, contributing to his community and finding strength in his faith and community. His journey from addiction to recovery underscores the power of resilience, family, and community support.

Sarah Blyth

Community Advocate & Founder of Vancouver Overdose Prevention Society

Sarah Blyth was born in Sault St Marie and raised in Vancouver. She is an activist, community organizer and former politician known for her work in harm reduction and public health, particularly in the context of the opioid crisis. Blyth founded the Vancouver Overdose Prevention Society (OPS), a grassroots organization dedicated to providing overdose prevention services, advocating for drug policy reform, setting up overdose prevention sites and distributing naloxone kits. Blyth served as a parks commissioner in Vancouver, focusing on community engagement, environmental sustainability and improving access to public spaces, especially for vulnerable communities. Blyth's dedication and success has been widely recognized, receiving numerous awards for her advocacy efforts. She continues to be an influential voice in the ongoing dialogue surrounding drug policy and public health in Canada.