Hi, my name is Bran and I am fundraising for Joe. He is an unemployed and unhoused, fiber-artist who has fallen through the cracks of our Vancouver community social support system. Joe lives with his 2 dogs and pet bird in his bus on the streets of North Vancouver.

I became aware of Joe's situation in April 2025. While exploring Tiktok, I came across a video of Joe aka Uncle Granny talking about and demonstrating carding and hand spinning wool into yarn. Over the span of the past 7 months, I have watched Joe's candid and raw videos that also detail what life is like for him trying to survive while living on the streets in Vancouver. What it's like to live in fear of losing your bus (only shelter) and worldly possessions to a bylaw infraction. Fear of having a mechanical breakdown when needing to move the bus to a new parking spot. Having to deal with business owners and other hostile unhoused people living in their cars or RVs.

Joe is a stage 3 cancer and domestic violence survivor. In 2019 he transitioned and became a male. He lost his home and began living in his bus. Joe has struggled to obtain disability funding, related supports and employment due to ongoing health issues related to cancer and the fact that he is autistic. He finds it difficult to navigate the often complex intake process and follow up needed to access appropriate disability supports and funding.

This is where I come in. I am the parent of a 32 year old man with complex special needs which include autism. I know how difficult it is to apply for and obtain disability related housing and support funding. I have 27 years of first hand experience advocating and successfully helping my son obtain and maintain stable housing and support funding to live a safe and comfortable life. I would like to help Joe along the path towards a safe and stable living situation but I need your help.

It starts with this fundraising campaign to raise enough money to pay for Joe to have a vehicle inspection, the brakes and manifold repaired on his bus. It is in need of repair to ensure he can continue to drive safely and move it when the bylaw officers request. This will help to ensure Joe continues to have safe shelter while waiting for permanent housing to become available.

Joe also has need of dental work to improve his health and quality of life. I would also like to provide him with a new laptop to help facilitate online communication with disability support advocates, agencies and resources. If there are any funds left over they will be put towards groceries for Joe or his other health needs.

Please aid me in brightening Joe's life and help him look forward to improved safety and security.