The homelessness crisis in the Lower Mainland has reached unprecedented levels, with Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside (DTES) at its core. The DTES faces complex, intersectional challenges, including the overdose epidemic, poverty, lack of housing, violence, and chronic health conditions. Homelessness in this area fosters unsafe living conditions, often leading to acute wounds that go untreated and escalate into severe infections and complications. Barriers such as stigma, mobility challenges, and limited access to healthcare leave many individuals vulnerable to infections and the spread of infectious diseases.

 

Bandage and Beyond seeks to address these urgent needs with practical and compassionate solutions. We provide free wound care kits with essentials like bandages and antimicrobial dressings, and engage with vulnerable groups through talks to platform knowledge to care for wounds and prevent infections. Partnering with local organizations and health clinics, we bring these critical resources directly to the community.

 

Our mission is to reduce preventable wound complications, empower community members with education to manage minor wounds, and promote health equity in the DTES.

 

Together, we can create meaningful change and promote better health for all.