Downtown Eastside Women's Centre

Downtown Eastside Women's Centre Our mission: to provide basic needs and positive change for women and children in the Downtown Eastside of Vancouver.

The Downtown Eastside Women’s Centre (DEWC) is one of the busiest women’s centres in the country, operating a low-barrier drop-in centre and emergency night shelters in the Downtown Eastside. By connecting members to a continuum of care and a community, we empower them towards positive change. DEWC provides basic needs including nutritious meals, laundry, showers, phone and computer access, and cl

othing, as well as support services including advocacy, housing outreach, HIV case management, Chinese seniors outreach, victim services, and skills development. Our kitchen program serves up to 700 meals daily, totaling up to 255,500 meals annually. Demand for our services is growing exponentially, and we rely heavily on community support to sustain our ongoing work. For more information, visit our website: www.dewc.ca.

🏳️‍🌈 Unapologetically Q***r. Unapologetically Feminist. Unapologetically Inclusive.For the fifth consecutive year, The D...
08/04/2026

🏳️‍🌈 Unapologetically Q***r. Unapologetically Feminist. Unapologetically Inclusive.

For the fifth consecutive year, The Downtown Eastside Women’s Centre proudly marched in Vancouver’s Pride Parade!

This year’s theme, Unapologetically Q***r, speaks to a value we carry with us every day: every woman deserves access to safety, community, advocacy, and care without having to justify who she is.

The Downtown Eastside Women’s Centre is proud to be one of the few women’s service organizations in Canada that welcomes non-cisgender women, including trans women, Two-Spirit women, and non-binary people who identify and live as women, into our spaces and services.

For us, feminism means challenging the systems and structures that exclude and marginalize women. It means recognizing that gender justice must include trans, Two-Spirit, and non-binary women, and ensuring our services reflect that commitment.

We are proud to stand alongside our 2S, trans, and non-binary community members, not just during Pride, but every day.

Five years marching. One unwavering commitment: ALL women belong here.

Run for a cause. Stretch your rewards.Join at the Eastside 10K on September 27 and help us raise $10,000 to support Va...
07/29/2026

Run for a cause. Stretch your rewards.

Join at the Eastside 10K on September 27 and help us raise $10,000 to support Vancouver's Downtown Eastside community. Plus, use promo code 26DEWC to save 10% on your race registration!

Whether you're chasing a personal best or running in solidarity, every registration and every dollar raised helps provide safety, nutritious meals, advocacy, and community for women accessing DEWC programs.

BONUS! Thanks to our friends at Havyn Hot Studios, five participants who raise $150 or more will be automatically entered to win an Intro Pass—that's 28 days of hot yoga and Pilates at any Havyn Hot Yoga location. It's the perfect way to recover after race day while trying something new!

Register, fundraise, and run with purpose: https://dewc.ca/get-involved/run-for-dewc/

Thank you to Havyn Hot Studios for supporting Team DEWC and helping motivate our incredible fundraisers! 💜

🚨 Temporary Drop-In Closure Due to Flooding 🚨Due to flooding, our main Drop-In Centre at 302 Columbia Street is CLOSED u...
07/21/2026

🚨 Temporary Drop-In Closure Due to Flooding 🚨

Due to flooding, our main Drop-In Centre at 302 Columbia Street is CLOSED until further notice.

DEWC members can continue to access services at our 25 East Hastings Drop-In Centre, which remains open.

We apologize for the disruption and appreciate your patience as we work to address the situation. We will share updates as soon as we have more information.

Thank you for your understanding and your continued support. 💜

07/15/2026

🐉 Did you know? Dragon boating in Vancouver is more than a race. It's a tradition rooted in culture, community, and connection.

Introduced during Expo 86 by the Chinese Canadian community to promote cross-cultural understanding, dragon boating has grown into one of Vancouver's most celebrated summer traditions.

As paddlers take to the water this season, we're sharing a story by DEWC member Amanda that explores the origins of the Dragon Boat Festival and its lasting cultural significance. From its ancient beginnings to its enduring impact today, Amanda reflects on how this centuries-old tradition continues to bring people together across generations and communities.

Read Amanda's story: https://dewc.ca/stories/the-origins-and-current-impact-of-the-dragon-boat-festival/

👟 Round two, anyone? is back for the Eastside 10K on September 27, and we'd love for you to join us.Whether you run in ...
07/08/2026

👟 Round two, anyone?

is back for the Eastside 10K on September 27, and we'd love for you to join us.

Whether you run in person or take part virtually, every step helps create safety, nourishment, and advocacy support for women at The Downtown Eastside Women’s Centre.

💜 Save 10% on your registration with code 26DEWC.

Join us and make every kilometre count.

https://raceroster.com/events/2026/111981/2026-under-armour-eastside-10k

Under Armour Canada Running Series West

06/29/2026

We did it! 💜

Together, we raised $7,370.82 at the Beneva Vancouver Half Marathon & 5K!

Thank you to every runner, donor, volunteer, and supporter who helped make this achievement possible. Every step, every dollar, and every act of generosity helps strengthen our community.

Canada Running Series West YYOGA

On June 21, we celebrated National Indigenous Peoples Day at The Downtown Eastside Women's Centre's 302 Columbia Street ...
06/24/2026

On June 21, we celebrated National Indigenous Peoples Day at The Downtown Eastside Women's Centre's 302 Columbia Street drop-in.

Women and their children enjoyed a day of food, performances, and workshops led by local Indigenous community members and Elders of the xwməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish), and Səl̓ílwətaʔ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations. We were also honoured to participate in Carnegie Community Centre's 4th Annual National Indigenous Peoples Day Block Party, where we connected with attendees and celebrated together.

A heartfelt thank you to IATSE 891 for helping make this special day possible and to everyone who stopped by our booth, shared a conversation, and celebrated with us. 💜

At The Downtown Eastside Women’s Centre, what people see from the outside is often only a small part of the work happeni...
06/15/2026

At The Downtown Eastside Women’s Centre, what people see from the outside is often only a small part of the work happening every day.

So far in 2026, we have provided:

• 175,172 meals
• 1,651 showers
• 1,876 referrals for housing, advocacy, victim and legal services

None of this is possible without your support.

Monthly giving helps sustain consistent, reliable access to care for over 1,200 women every day.

Give back to our community: https://dewc.ca/donate-online/

06/11/2026

to the sweetest Mother’s Day at the Centre! 💜💐

So grateful for the beautiful blooms, treats, and love from our amazing community. Thank you again to Mini Wedding Flowers, Hype Chocolate, River and Sea Flowers, and Mindful Monk. ✨

June is National Indigenous History Month, a time to honour the strength, knowledge, cultures, and leadership of Indigen...
06/02/2026

June is National Indigenous History Month, a time to honour the strength, knowledge, cultures, and leadership of Indigenous Peoples, and to recognize the ongoing work of Indigenous communities in preserving traditions, advocating for justice, and creating change.

At The Downtown Eastside Women's Centre, our Indigenous Women's Project creates opportunities for Indigenous women, Two-Spirit, and gender-diverse community members to connect through cultural teachings, recreation, education, and community. The program also provides vital emotional support for those navigating the ongoing impacts of colonialism, residential school trauma, racism, cultural isolation, and violence.

This year, thanks to the generous support of FortisBC, 20 women will attend the 2026 Elders Gathering, strengthening cultural connection, knowledge sharing, and Indigenous leadership.

We are grateful to work alongside partners who invest in Indigenous-led spaces and support the self-determination of Indigenous women.

Learn more about the Indigenous Women's Project: https://dewc.ca/program/indigenous-womens-project/

Address

302 Columbia Street
Vancouver, BC
V6A4K1

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 11am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm
Saturday 9am - 5pm
Sunday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+16047236782

Website

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