The Mavis McMullen Playground Project: Creating safe outdoor spaces for women and children in the Downtown Eastside

Mavis McMullen Housing Society’s women-led housing model has been offering stable, affordable, and independent housing to women and their families in the Downtown Eastside of Vancouver since 1986. Our resilient women and their families are determined to live abundant lives despite facing complex challenges, including poverty, addiction and mental illness, and trauma. But they are united in their desire to live – and thrive – independently. 

To achieve their goals, our women need access to resources, safe spaces for their children to play and grow, and enriching connections that root them in a community. 

One of the largest needs for our residents with children is a safe place to bring their children to play outside. Fresh air and activity are critical for young children’s physical, social, and mental health – but for too many mothers on Vancouver’s downtown eastside, the risks in outdoor spaces outweigh the benefits of going out. They need a safe place for their kids to just be kids.  

We need your help to transform our tired, worn down courtyards into safe and inviting outdoor spaces for our women and their children to gather, play, and grow.

Your donation goes a long way.

• $10 buys seeds for vegetables and herbs to fill planter boxes 
• $25 can buy indigenous plants and flowers  for the garden spaces
• $50 can buy outdoor toys and games
• $75 can buy gardening tools
• $100  can help fund a picnic or summer barbeque in the garden
• $125  can provide a gardening workshop for children and teens
• $150 or more can help replace the playground structures and safety flooring

Our goal is to raise $2500 to help bring our outdoor spaces back to life and provide a safe place for kids to play.  Make a donation and we’ll keep you updated on our playground transformation.

This Giving Tuesday, support Mavis McMullen Housing Society’s Playground Project. Your donation can help create safe, beautiful outdoor spaces for women and children living in the Downtown Eastside area to connect, play, and thrive.