I would like to begin by acknowledging how grateful I am to be living, working and raising my two children on the traditional, ancestral and unceded territories of the Musqueam, Tsleil Waututh and Coast Salish peoples. I also acknowledge the history and ongoing colonialism of this land, and the need of colonial society to do far better, and work harder to fight for the rights of Indigenous peoples, be honoured, and respected.  

I have been a Front-line worker on the DTES for the past 7 years, where I work alongside some of the most compassionate, empowering, loving, and caring, people, I have ever had the pleasure of knowing.  I am endlessly inspired by my coworkers, and community members served, to continue fighting to bring awareness to the many issues faced by the people in the DTES. As harm reduction workers, we strive to develop, maintain, and promote affordable housing for individuals who are poorly served elsewhere in the community due to their physical health, mental health, behavioral issues, substance dependencies, forensic history, and for those who are homeless.

It has been through my work in the DTES, that I began hearing about, and later attending, the ‘Front line class’, offered free of charge by East Side Boxing club, which is a not-for-profit gym, located in the DTES. This class, developed by ESB, and funded through their community initiative program, is aimed to support anyone working in the front lines of the DTES with a healthy, physical outlet to manage and deal with the many stresses of working in this community dealing with an opioid crisis. This weekly class has helped me immensely in the work I do, and inspired me to try out for East Side Boxing club’s annual ‘Restaurant Rumble’, boxing match, which is a fundraising event, put on through the Aprons for gloves association, aimed to support the DTES through free-of-charge-community driven programs and classes.

With the money raised through their annual event, ESB can continue to support the DTES by sustaining their not-for-profit programs, which work to offer inclusive, accessible and community grounded fitness classes, support and resources. One of the classes made possible through this annual fundraising event, is their free of charge, ‘Self-Defense’ program developed for women, female-identified and all LGBTTQQ2S community members, to develop empowering and community focused self-defense training. They also offer a free, ‘Moms and Tots class’, which is a regularly scheduled, barrier-free, non-contact box fit class with childcare and snacks provided, designed to support moms in the DTES. Another class provided with this funding is ESB’s ‘After school Youth Program’ which is class offered five days a week, geared to support at-risk youth of the DTES. This program offers mentorship, leadership, and nutritious snacks and food pantry, for those who want it.  

I am incredibly honoured to be a contender in the 8th annual Aprons for Gloves, Restaurant Rumble boxing match and I will work as hard as I can, to raise money for this incredible cause.  My goal is to raise $2000, and if I train hard enough you might even get to see me in the ring.   The fight starts here at the cause, let's do it!!!!!!! Let's all win!!!!