Providence in the Park: Providence Health Care Helps Downtown Eastside Residents Prepare for Winter

Vancouver, October 23, 2009 — On Saturday, October 24, Providence Health Care (PHC) will be providing blankets, warm clothes and healthy lunches to hundreds of residents of Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside.
Despite the temporary closure of the park, which is currently under construction, the twice-annual event will continue to cater to the Oppenheimer Park neighbourhood. Staff, physicians and volunteers from across PHC will gather in front of Oppenheimer Park, on Dunlevy Avenue, which will be closed between Cordova and Powell Street, to distribute the provisions.

In addition to clothing, and lunches, those in need will have the opportunity to receive a haircut, courtesy of PHC staff and volunteers, as well as blankets.

What: Providence in the Park
When: Saturday, October 24, 2009 at 11:00 a.m.
Where:
Dunlevy Avenue, between Cordova & Powell Streets
(In front of Oppenheimer Park)

Providence Health Care (PHC) is one of Canada's largest faith-based health care organizations, operating 14 health care facilities in Greater Vancouver. Guided by the principle “How you want to be treated,” PHC's 1,200 physicians and 6,000 staff deliver compassionate care to patients and residents in British Columbia. Providence’s programs and services span the complete continuum of care and serve people throughout B.C. As a renowned academic health science leader, PHC operates one of two teaching hospitals in the province, performs cutting-edge research in more than 30 clinical specialties, and focuses its services on six “populations of emphasis”: cardio-pulmonary risks and illnesses, HIV/AIDS, mental health, renal risks and illness, specialized needs in aging and urban health.

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