Founded in 2012, Aprons for Gloves Boxing Association is a non-profit organization focused on providing community outreach through the sport of boxing. Based in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside, the organization was developed by a small group of professionals and entrepreneurs who seized an opportunity to re-establish a historic boxing program for at-risk women and youth. The program offers free mentorship and training to individuals who may otherwise not have the resources or support to participate in such activities. The sport of boxing teaches discipline, respect, hard work and self-control. Training results in positive self-esteem, good health and camaraderie for its practitioners.

Interested in more details? Read on about who benefits from your donation:

Women’s Programs - Community Partner

Who: newSTART http://newstartbridging.ca/

newSTART provides specialized and individualized supports through WorkBC to women who have experienced violence and abuse in Northeast Vancouver and Burnaby. newSTART supports include career and educational planning, employment-related skills, personal development, access to computers and the internet, as well as an opportunity for a work placement.

A huge part of our work is helping women build their self-confidence and independence which happens collectively with peer support and through the challenges of their lives, the program and projects such as the partnership with the Eastside Boxing Club. Anyone who has had the experience of making yourself stronger and building physical skills and capacities knows how this spills over into all areas of a person’s life. Thank you to the Eastside Boxing Club and the participants of Aprons for Gloves for supporting the women of our program through your own transformations and achievements.

Who:: Rainer Women’s Supportive Housing http://www.rainierhotel.ca/

5 years ago the Rainier opened its doors as a small but radical new approach to treating addiction for marginalized women in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside. It offered full spectrum programming, reflecting ‘best practices’ in addictions treatment for women with mental health diagnosis and substance dependency.

Before coming to the Rainier nearly all residents reported attempting treatment in other programs with little or no success. To date, over 130 women have made achievements in the Rainier program and many say it saved their lives.

In January 2013, funding for this crucial program ended, eliminating virtually all therapeutic programming, support, onsite clinical staff and food support and effectively reducing the only treatment centre for women in the downtown eastside to single room occupancy housing.

How We Help: ESB runs a weekly women’s only boxer -fit program that allows safe space for newSTART participants to exercise and learn basic boxing skills under the guidance of other female boxers.

Youth Programs - Community Partner

Who: NICCSS- Vancouver Roving Leaders Program

http://www.niccss.ca/progams-amp-workshops/vancouver-roving-leaders

The Vancouver Roving Leaders Program is a flexible, community-based initiative that connects and engages vulnerable, at-risk children & youth in the Grandview-Woodlands, Hastings-Sunrise, Renfrew-Collingwood and Downtown Eastside neighbourhoods.

The Roving Leaders Program is about active connection and inclusion of our children and youth. We focus on connecting with the children and youth where they are, building a relationship and then helping them to integrate into neighbourhood programs, services and education opportunities.

The Roving Leader is a community youth worker who works outside the walls and boundaries of the traditional youth-work or recreation setting. The Roving Leaders are flexible, provide outreach to the community and connect with children where they are: on the street, in the park, with their peers. They involve children (primarily 10 to 16 years old) in positive activities, breaking down barriers they may face in accessing programs or services in their community and developing their strengths, talents and interests.

How We Help: ESB runs a free after school boxing program 3 times a week. This program is facilitated by head coach Dave Shuck and other ESB boxer mentors. ESB works with NICCSS case workers to help introduce youth participants to exercise and a variety of life skills through mentorship and relationship building.