Ten years of Pivot
Ten years ago, Pivot was just an idea - to use the law as a tool to advance the interestsof those living most on the margins. We have come a long way – Woodwards, Insite,Jamie Graham, standards of maintenance in SROs, sex work charter challenge, theOlympics – and are very excited about the next 10 years. In order to get a sense of whatPivot has accomplished in its first decade, we asked three people to weigh in on ourimpact. Here is what they had to say:
Elisabeth Geller - VanCity Social Finance DivisionIn 10 short years, Pivot has really shaped the way the Downtown Eastside sees itself, andthe way it is seen. By shining a light on its residents, by giving them the voice to speakfor themselves, Pivot has changed the way everyone - residents, community activists,police, the broader public – sees and interacts with this neighbourhood. It’s not just the‘poorest postal code’ in Canada, it’s a place where people create and live their lives.
Elin Sigurdsen – Lawyer, Arvay FinlayOne of Pivot’s greatest achievements has been working directly with sex workersin Vancouver to bring their voices, which have historically been excluded from theconversation about their rights and needs, to the foreground. Pivot has conveyed thevaluable experiences and views of sex workers to politicians and lawmakers and tomembers of the community, and in the process expanded the consciousness of a widerange of people around issues facing one of the most marginalized groups in our Country.
Wendy Pedersen – Carnegie Community Action ProjectI’ll never forget the look of glee on Pivot lawyer David Eby’s face on the cover of theSun when the news broke of the province’s Single Room Occupancy Hotel buying bingein 2007. The reports, the rallies, the squats and the defence obviously made someheadway. This was our first glimmer of result.