A Resilient Vision for Vancouver
(Childcare on the Downtown Eastside)
Story appeared in the 2020 issue of QMS Connections Magazine.
BY HAYLEY PICARD, DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS & MARKETING
ALUMNI GRAEME FOWLER (1999–2007)
“Each day presents us with opportunities to grow, love, explore, and learn. It is simply up to us to see them, embrace them and allow a new path to form in front of our feet.”
For Graeme Fowler (1999–2007), a service trip to Honduras in Grade 11 resulted in a profound career change with Promise Vancouver years later. “While we were in Copan, I fell in love with Urban Promise International,” explains Graeme. “It promotes sustainability and empowers indigenous leadership in the community.” The organization is a global Christian ministry dedicated to fostering the leadership potential in youth around the world, especially in under-resourced communities. Their work in Honduras resonated with Graeme, so when the country’s program leader reached out to him about starting a branch in Vancouver as Director of Programs and Outreach, he leapt at the chance to make a difference.
Located in Vancouver’s infamous downtown eastside, Promise Vancouver engages with and supports roughly 20 families and children with afterschool programs, camps and mentorship programs year round. During the summer months, that care increases to 60 families.
Promise Vancouver’s powerful slogan—Changing futures to transform the world—has served as an inspiration for Graeme. “Part of the incredible nature of working with young people is that kids often bring hope in surprising ways,” he shares. “There have been a number of incidences when I have been humbled by their resilience and courage. For example, last Christmas we held a fundraising event and one of our kids ran up to me with his bag, emptying it in front of me saying, ‘Mr. G. I want to donate!’” He pauses and continues. “It was $2.25…all he had. It brings me a lot of hope for the city and the country. We are in good hands in many ways.”
A key part of Promise Vancouver’s mission is to facilitate youth leadership skills in the communities they serve. Graeme admits that kids coming from vulnerable life situations possess a unique perspective when it comes to leadership as a whole, so the organization works diligently to find fitting activities and methodologies that reinforce the positive nature of these life skills. For some, it means providing a little more responsibility, such as helping kids read, leading group activities, and even help our staff strategize for future programs. “The more we can provide appropriate responsibility to youth, it tells them we trust them,” Graeme explains. “If we can give them the platform and structure now, we hope they will become strong leaders. Tapping them on the shoulder to say we see leadership potential in them could change the course of their lives.”
When COVID-19 hit this year, Graeme and his team worked quickly to build collaborative relationships with fellow service organizations such as Youth Gospel Mission, McLean Housing, Kiwassa and the Salvation Army, to ensure their families would continue to receive needed support. As he explains, many of their community members live in unique housing situations such as single occupancy rooms, and at a time of physical distancing, sticking to the rules simply was not possible. Online education was difficult due to lack of technology resources, poor or non-existent WIFI, and the basic necessity of receiving daily meals were real challenges. “Now is the time to collaborate! Without it, we will not effectively fulfill the needs of the residents we are serving,” Graeme observes. Throughout the summer of 2020, Promise Vancouver hosted camps for 150 campers and served 95 families, a substantial increase year over year.
Does Graeme feel that his passion for serving others has roots in his QMS experience? Yes. “I believe that my time at QMS put me in a really advantageous place and set me up for success,” he reveals. “The advocacy that teachers showed me as a young boy was impactful. I learned the value in simply saying to kids, I believe in you and I am willing to take a risk on you. I would not be where I am today if it had not been for the positive adults and teachers in my life.”
As we continue to navigate this global pandemic, Graeme’s vision of love and unity is one he wants to share with us all. “This is the time when we need to bind arms together in a symbolic sense. Call your loved ones. Connect with people you know and love and keep tabs on those who are struggling with mental health,” he says emphatically. “Love each other well and make contact with those around you who you think are having a difficult time. A simple conversation can go a long way.”
