Ché Clearsky
I was born in 1999 In North Vancouver and grew up in East Vancouver, I have lived there most of my life. My mother comes from the Lil’wat nation in on mount Currie reserve here in the west coast. My mother had to drive to the city to give birth to me and my father comes from the Kainai nation Blood reserve in southern Alberta. I am a first generation off reserve first nations person. My name inspired from the revolutionary Ernesto “Che” Guevara, my father chose my name Ché because he is an advocate for indigenous peoples and of the youth, he was a part of movements, organizations, and protests in his early 20s.
I live in the Downtown Eastside and have spent my time helping support individuals that populate the D.T.E.S. I provided maintenance services with plumbing, carpentry, and electrical repairs for some residents living in SROs (Single Room Occupancy). I spent my time working in A homeless shelter off of Hastings street , helping create a safe space for those that feel like they have no where else to go, letting their guard down and getting out of survival mode, making them feel seen and not invisible, because they matter. Giving them stability by meeting their basic needs, two meals a day, bed and shower helps them focus on what they want to do to put their life on back track and pull themselves out of the situation they may find themselves in. Currently I am working as a youth outreach worker, with Watari counseling & support services, being able to take a closer step into the lives of those that I am supporting I am hopeful to bring positive changes into someone’s life. Even as a teenager I was included in doing community work as a day camp counsellor/out of school care, although at the time I did not realize it, it was my calling to be a pillar of support for others.
I have grown a heavy heart for those in my community and especially those that are in unhoused situations. With YPP I am hoping we can make change for unhoused or street involved youth to get more resources and supports