“Give a Dollar, Give a Damn” campaign launches Vancouver initiative to fight against homelessness October 12-16 By Tanya Colledge, Staff Reporter on the streets. And while many people get frustrated with panhandlers or upset by seeing people sleeping under store awnings and simply look the other way, a group of determined citizens has decided to take action. Founded by Ronald Josephson, this month’s Gratitude Week to End Homelessness seeks to bring together everyday Vancouverites who want to make a difference in the fight against homelessness. In an effort to complement existing provincial and city government efforts to combat the growing problem of homelessness, Gratitude Week will involve citizens in order to increase awareness while raising funds to help support the initiative. Josephson’s goal is to raise $1 million dollars for the renovations of the Pender and Gastown Hotels, which upon completion would provide an additional 120 rooms for the homeless. Although having financial support is important, organizers hope that creating a greater involvement from every day citizens will be the key to a successful campaign. The Give a Dollar, Give a Damn campaign has already been launched online at www.gratitudeweek.org, and has seen thousands of dollars in donations from all over the world. The week’s events will include daily gratitude gatherings at the Vancouver Art Gallery where people can attend as a way of expressing gratitude for the lives |: Vancouver, there are’an estimated 2,600 people living they lead, daily speakers, booths set up as a public forum for organizations involved in ending homelessness and a university street collection where university and college students will be collecting money and handing out stickers as part of the campaign. People of all ages are welcome to participate in any of the events. If you would like to become involved or require more information visit www.gratitudeweek.org. Sisters in Spirit raise awareness about violence against Aboriginal women By Tanya Colledge, Staff Reporter “It is about coming together and demanding justice, bringing the experience of these women to others and telling our communities what is happening,” said Priscilla Bartleman, external relations officer for the Douglas Student Union at the Sisters in Spirit vigil on Tuesday. “It is important for us to honour the people that are missing and send hope and feelings of respect to the families,” she said. The vigil, which occurred in the student union lounge at Douglas College, showed a film entitled Finding Dawn that profiled the story and struggles of Aboriginal women in eastern Canada, followed by a candlelight vigil. The event aimed to bring the community together to raise awareness about the lives of Aboriginal women and the constant violence they encounter, and to pay respect to the estimated 500 missing or murdered Aboriginal women in Canada every year. Since Sisters in Spirit—an initiative that branched out of the Native Women’s Association of Canada— began in 2004, the organization has fought to bring the violence and injustice that many Aboriginal women face daily to the forefront. “Change is possible, and it must happen,” said Bartleman, explaining that many missing women are often not recognized because of what they have done to survive or where they have lived. “If we continue to honour the dead and take care of the living, we can prevent this from happening to future generations.” Douglas College Wrap-Up By Tanya Colledge and Liam Britten Criminology department raises awareness through film screening Join Cinema Politica and Douglas College’s Criminology department when they present Mani Arar’s A Warrior Religion, a poetic documentary to raise awareness about common misconceptions towards violence and the South Asian community. The film showcases interviews with community leaders and media personalities, as well as provides historical facts and crime-related statistics. A member of the Sikh community himself, Arar believes that awareness is most needed within this group, and hopes to use his own personal experiences and knowledge to communicate his message. The documentary will be shown on Monday, October 19 at 7 p.m. in room 2203 of the New Westminster campus. CSI comes to Douglas College Dr. Dean Hildebrand, program head from BCIT’s Centre for Forensic and Security Technology Studies, will be discussing various career and educational paths available to students studying in forensic science. Hildebrand will also be speaking about his experiences as a DNA expert and his research and casework activities for the Centre’s Forensic DNA Laboratory. All are welcome to listen to the lecture. The event will take place on Tuesday, October 27" from 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. in room 4312 of the New Westminster campus. DSU to party like it’s 1999 The DSU will be hosting a ‘90s-themed pub night and fundraiser on October 15 at the DSU building in New Westminster. Attendees are encouraged to bring donations of _ warm clothing to the party for the DSU’s clothing drive in association with New Westminster’s Lookout Society. Blankets, toques, gloves, jackets and other articles of clothing will all be collected. The party will go from 8:30 p.m. until 1 a.m. on Thursday night. For more information, contact Priscilla Bartleman, DSU external relations coordinator, at external @douglasstudentsunion.ca. By Angela Szezur, Web Editor he success of Douglas College graduate Frank Giustra is proof that you really can “go anywhere from here.” Giustra came to Douglas beam focus” as he put it, and not to let anything stand in your way. When asked if Giustra thought education is important, he replied that while it is important to have a degree, knowledge is much more important. He also noted The secrets of a millionaire revealed Douglas alum Frank Giustra talks about how he found success in business his work with CGSGI. Christmas and donate them to those in need. Giustra has continued to apply the concept of philanthropy throughout his life and with CGSGI focuses on relieving poverty in the developing world through market- but I’ve been waiting by the phone for the last 30 years for that call!” en tee Se a ge ee Dieeeriinniciiaie ali an College Tuesday to speak in a discussion panel setting. The event was put on by the Douglas College Business Association. Giustra is president and CEO of Fiore Financial. In the 1990s he was president, chairman and CEO of Yorkton Securities, also founding Lions Gate Entertainment. Giustra also works with former President Bill Clinton for the Clinton Giustra Sustainable Growth Initiative, or CGSGI. Since Giustra has been so successful in his career, many people wanted to know what he felt were top qualities to possess. Giustra emphasized that the most important quality was to have heart and passion— without it, one would never be able to sell, create or succeed. Next in line was having a sense of humour, followed by kindness and generosity. Finally, Giustra said that it’s really important to have focus—or “laser- 4 that there are many successful people, such as Steve Jobs, who did not complete their degree; the key in being successful is finding out what you love and doing just that. “It’s having the simple belief that you can achieve anything,” Giustra said. So how should students improve their knowledge? “Stop watching TV and read books!” said Giustra. “Especially history books.” Giustra said that while technology changes, the basic factors behind political and economic behaviour are patterned throughout history. Giustra strongly believes in philanthropy, which is to increase the well- being of humankind through charity or and a friend would purchase 100 turkeys at “It’s having the simple belief that you can achieve anything” —Frank Giustra _ Peru. donations. When he was in his early 20s, he driven developments that creates jobs and increases income, as well as focusing on improving education and health. As an example, Giustra said that over the next four years, CGSGI will fund 50,000 cataract surgeries in Giustra ended the discussion panel by giving students advice on how to enrich their lives: find balance, find passion, and try new things. He further added that he recommends students obtain a degree that is mixed in different fields of study, such as a mixture of a finance and law degree, or a finance and philosophy degree. At the end of the discussion, Giustra was asked if he would agree to come back to Douglas College to speak again. “Yes, of course,” he said. “Let me tell you something... I got the call asking me to come and speak here just a few weeks ago, Frank Giustra