We provide in medical institutions care, after medical institution care (in residence and in tent city's and the streets), palliative care, and harm reduction services. Due the systemic racism and other systemic issues like stigma, presuppositions and petty judgment we felt the need to create Radical Outreach Society where we comb the DTES looking for people that need hospital treatment but are afraid to go because they fear that they will be treated like a lesser class individual and most likely not be treated properly if they are treated medically at all. All of our staff and volunteers have lived experience or at least some levels of exposure to life with addiction, mental health, criminality and homelessness. That way we have the moral authority to speak into peoples lives struggling in these areas so that they know that we know what we are talking about when it comes to getting through to the other side of these issues. We at Radical Outreach Society we have dedicated our lives and careers to educating ourselves in social sciences, medical training, criminology, psychology, counseling, and compassionate inquiry created by Dr. Gabor Mate on the DTES of Vancouver British Columbia. We know beyond a reason of a doubt that each and every person on the DTES struggling with these issues are suffering emotionally and mentally from trauma in their childhood and have never learned how to process those emotions and thought cycles so they can move on making healthier choices in life. We never pressure them in any direction but rather meet them where they are at in their lives and walk them simply serving them anyway we can and lead by example by just living our lives as we do. We believe that in doing this that it creates relationships with people where there is trust and love present in everything we do for and with our clients. The power of love has been lost in today’s world we believe, with the current emphasis on a capitalist and material way of life. We lost the community where everyone knows everyone, looking out for each other, supporting neighbours and even strangers in their moments of need. If you want to make a difference in someone’s life from the DTES, go there and offer to buy a homeless person or an addict a coffee and then hang out and have a conversation with them and get to know them. Or you could be slightly radical and throw them $10 or $20 even if you are sure that it’s going to drugs or alcohol. Make a friend out of them: Go for meals, a movie, coffee, to church, for a walk, go nuts and invite them to your home for a shower, a meal, and a change of clothes. Help them get help for their issues if they want or need help. Set healthy boundaries. But never pressure them. Accept them as they are. Unconditional, considerably radical love. I challenge the world. Now GO make friends and impact lives!
