A drop-in centre for prostitutes that once counted victims of a notorious B.C. serial killer among its clients is finally opening its own home.
After more than 20 years working out of a gritty Vancouver church, the WISH society has moved into a brand-new space in the Downtown Eastside.
The opening of the new wellness centre is a true step forward for the dozens of women who use its services ever day, said Kate Gibson, the executive director of WISH.
"The biggest difference is that it's purpose-built. What you need is where you need it," said Gibson.
Where supplies were once kept in plastic tubs and meals held in a drafty gym, the new centre has a dining area, space devoted to make-up and donations and meeting rooms that are being used by other community groups as well.
WISH will continue to expand its literacy, training and other development programs aimed at helping prostitutes get off the streets.
"The other thing is we have opportunity to do all kinds of change as time goes on and eventually be open 24/7 or open overnight," she said of the new space.
WISH began planning for the home after receiving a million dollar grant from VanCity in 2003 -- the same year that a former pig farmer was arrested for the murders of dozens of prostitutes from the community.
Robert Pickton was eventually convicted of second-degree murder for the deaths of six women and is awaiting trial on charges for killing twenty others.
That the new centre has finally become a reality is a poignant reminder of how badly services for street-level sex workers are needed in the city.
"It's essential that we do more," said outgoing Vancouver Mayor Sam Sullivan.
"We have to do more, we have to be more innovative, and certainly the support for WISH will help to reduce the chance that this kind of terrible situation occurs again."
The city has given WISH the use of the land for the house for a dollar a year for the next ten years.
The centre has been open to women since mid-September but celebrates its official opening on Wednesday.
