The New Westminster Overdose Community Action Team – Peer Network is assembling a memorial to commemorate the many lives that have been lost to the overdose crisis. We hope to capture the collective impact of the overdose crisis, which includes at least 95 lives cut short due to the contaminated drug supply in New Westminster since 2016.
We are inviting New Westminster community members to submit art, writing, or photos that will be framed and mounted on the New Westminster Overdose Memorial. Every submission represents the story of someone who will be remembered in our hearts. We want to provide our community an opportunity to reflect on what we hope to accomplish together in creating a safe and inclusive community for everyone.
We recognize that each person who has passed away has a story and a lesson for us. Each person has left loved ones behind. Acknowledging our community members is critical, as with the onset of the COVID19 pandemic, we are again seeing increasing rates of overdose deaths; the highest since March of last year.
Please submit your art, writing, or photos to the Lower Mainland Purpose Society
Email: courtney.pankratz@purposesociety.org
Fax: 604-526-6546
In person: 40 Begbie Street
Please include a paragraph with your submission, and, if possible, your contact information (name and phone number). Submissions that do not include this information will still be accepted.
The memorial will be on display for International Overdose Awareness Day (August 31) and Recovery Month (September).
Details of the location will be confirmed closer to the date.
If you are looking to be connected to supports, contact project ALLIES: 604-690-7337
To download a copy of this Call for Submissions as a PDF, click here
