COVID-19 Update

Updated August 12, 2020

Mission Possible is happy to announce that our Employment Readiness Program is running again. Information sessions take place every week on Wednesday at 1 pm (women only) or Thursday at 1 pm (all genders). Please phone ahead, email our office, or fill out this form to reserve a spot for the information sessions as capacity is limited and demand is high. No drop-ins on the day of will be allowed.

Workshops are running at least twice monthly for four 2-hour sessions.

Please note that all Employment Readiness Program activities are now taking place in our new building at 648 East Hastings Street (just across the street from our old location).

Workshops and information sessions both have safety protocols in place such as limited capacity to allow physical distancing, providing masks and hand sanitizer, and frequent cleaning. Please phone the office if you have any questions regarding COVID-19 safety.

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Updated June 1, 2020

As businesses around the province begin to re-open and programs are restarting with revised guidelines, Mission Possible is following suit.

While our Employment Readiness Program has been on hold for the last two months, our team is currently developing video content and virtual options for workshops and information sessions.

Our MP Maintenance crews are running at full capacity once again with strict social distancing measures in place.

Our MP Neighbours team continues to work extended hours to provide support to Downtown Eastside residents and businesses.

Saturday Power Breakfast will continue to run as take-out only for the forseeable future. 

Our Mission Possible Gala is still scheduled for November 25, 2020, although we're not sure what form it will take. Please continue to save the date and stay tuned for updates coming this summer. 

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Updated April 15, 2020

With several food services in the Downtown Eastside adjusting their hours and services, reducing capacity, or closing altogether, the need for our weekly Saturday Power Breakfast is more urgent than ever. Our dedicated staff and volunteers are now feeding up to 300 individuals every Saturday, a drastic increase from the 100 individuals served weekly pre-pandemic. Our team serves as many hot meals, sandwiches, and fresh fruit as they can until we run out each week. Our new take-out format has been well-received by our patrons, and we're hoping to keep providing this service for as long as we are able. With social-distancing measures in place, and a desire to reduce outside traffic into the Downtown Eastside, we've had to increase our staffing and resources in order to support our adjusted meal program format. 

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Updated March 28, 2020

MP Neighbours, our social enterprise that provides a community watch service, has recently extended their hours until 10:00 p.m. to provide additional support to community members and businesses in the Downtown Eastside during this unprecendented and challenging time. Mission Possible is also working together with other organizations in the Downtown Eastside to support our community, exploring innovate ideas and collaborations to provide the most impact. 

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March 19, 2020

Mission Possible is committed to protecting the health and safety of our friends in the DTES community.  In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Mission Possible is adhering to and promoting the recommendations being put forth by Health Canada, BC CDC and Vancouver Coastal Health.  

In an effort to increase physical (social) distancing and reduce the risk of infection we have taken the following steps:

• Intake for our Employment Readiness Program has been paused
• Saturday Breakfast meal service is being served take-out style outside the front door 
• Our facilities are are not open to those who are not employees or those currently in our program
• Momentum Meetings, Employment Readiness Workshops, and other gatherings have been paused
• Staff who can work remotely are doing so

In addition to these programming changes, our social enterprises are also training and equipping our staff and associates to practice the steps recommended by our health authorities.  We will continue to operate our social enterprises and provide support to our participants and our customers until there is a recommendation to pause our services.  

In an effort to protect our friends in the Downtown Eastside, we are asking you to help us out!

The most important thing you can do to prevent infection is to wash your hands regularly and avoid touching your face.

 To help reduce your risk of infection:

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Using soap and water is the single most effective way of reducing the spread of infection.
• If a sink is not available, alcohol based hand rubs (ABHR) can be used to clean your hands as long as they are not visibly soiled. If they are visibly soiled, use a wipe and then ABHR to effectively clean them.
• Do not touch your face, eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands.
• Cover your mouth and nose with a disposable tissue or the crease of your elbow when you sneeze or cough.
• Regularly clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces.
• Do not share food, drinks, utensils, etc.
• Stay home if you are sick, or if you have been in contact with those who have tested positive

If you think that you might have COVID-19, you can use this online assessment tool to help with the next steps you can take.  Let’s work together to keep our most vulnerable residents safe and healthy.