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In the early morning hours of Saturday, August 22nd, 2015, a terrible fire tore through Mavis McMullen Place, a housing complex that provides stable, safe housing to women and children in the Downtown Eastside of Vancouver.

Link to news report:
http://bc.ctvnews.ca/dozens-homeless-after-early-morning-apartment-fire-1.2528681
Fortunately, all residents and pets made it out alive and uninjured, but they are all currently displaced from their home while the building is restored.
Fire, smoke and water damage is extensive. Only one unit had tenants insurance, which means that most residents have lost most to all of their personal and household belongings and food.
From Jennifer Larsen with the Mavis McMullen Housing Society "They don't have a lot of means, they don't have a lot of ways to support themselves outside of this, so this has really thrown them."

The Mavis McMullen Housing Society desperately needs funding to pay for furniture, household items and food staples for their residents once it is safe for them to return to their homes.

Chris and Mandy, and all the volunteers, the board, staff, and the residents of Mavis McMullen Housing Society are facing challenging times ahead to keep the dream alive of affordable, safe, and permanent housing for the families and women of the Downtown Eastside. As one amazing volunteer put it: "I am asking whether any of my friends, either literal or "Facebook", any acquaintances, friends of friends or even total strangers can make a donation to help in the literal and figurative rebuilding of the homes and lives of some very deserving people.

Life was difficult for many of the residents of Mavis before the fire, and now it must seem hopeless. I would love to show the children of Mavis, especially, that people care, that scary things happen but that people want to help, that hope exists.

Please, please, if you can make a donation of any size, it will be so very appreciated. No amount is too small, and it will go directly to the needs of the residents. 100%. If you can, please help. "

Mavis McMullen Place, a "well-run, quiet building" in the heart of Vancouver's Downtown Eastside
Mavis McMullen Place is directly across from Oppenheimer Park on East Cordova

From a friend of the Society:
"Hello everyone. Early on Saturday morning, a fire ripped through Mavis (McMullen)Place, an apartment building in Vancouver's Downtown Eastside, managed by my friend Chris Thomas. 60 people have lost their homes and are having to start all over again. These are not people for whom that comes easy. If you have any dollars lying around, be a doll and send it their way. Thanks"

From Chris' partner:
"As many may have seen or heard, there was a catastrophic fire at Mavis (McMullen) Place, an apartment building belonging to the Mavis McMullen (Housing) Society, which provides safe, affordable housing of women and children (and a few men). My partner Chris manages this building, and she has been working tirelessly since this tragedy occurred to support and advocate for, validate the feelings of and fight for the residents of Mavis (McMullen) Place. She and I have both shed tears for the people of Mavis (McMullen)Place who have lost everything that they fought so hard to get in the first place.

Other society staff and the very involved board of directors, plus social service agencies and city staff have also been working hard to help however they can. "