The downtown core of Vancouver, which includes the Downtown Eastside, is home to a large population of seniors living in poverty. The Vancouver Second Mile Society exists to provide assistance to those seniors in need.

Executive Director Steve Chan spoke with CFRO about the history of the society.

“An event that triggered the establishment of our society was October 1st, 1957, the current library closed…Dr. Wallace Wilson was a physician with a group of his friends, started the...second-mile club at that time,” he says.

The Second Mile Society provides low-cost meals and a place to socialize, recognizing that loneliness and isolation are major challenges facing seniors. Looking ahead to a time when the beyond the COVID-19 pandemic, Chan says they will return to services that were offered previously.

“We are planning to provide services, but right now we are still trying to get the seniors to come in, that we have a safe environment," Chan says. 

Listen to the CFRO interview below: