Steven is a 25 year old Aboriginal male who entered our BladeRunners program three years ago but had to withdraw due to his son’s untimely death. Always the survivor, he came back and completed the training.

He was then assisted with finding employment. Steven is forthright about his struggles with addiction. However, he attributes much of his success in dealing with it to finding support through programs like BladeRunners. Most recently he sustained an injury that prevented him from working which almost left him homeless. However, he contacted BladeRunners and was provided rental support and food through the Metro Vancouver Urban Aboriginal Support and Vancouver Foundation funding. This allowed him to maintain his apartment while he recuperated. At the same time he attended day treatment for his addiction.

He is now working on a BC social housing development as a construction labourer and has been accepted into the Langara College Recreational Leadership program. Steven’s goal is to help Aboriginal youth who need assistance on the DTES.

Selena is the mother of three children who first entered the BladeRunners program in 2007. After completing the life skills and health and safety training, she immediately found work with Lower Mainland Steel as a labourer. She moved on from there to work for Scott Construction from 2008 to 2009.

After being laid off, she returned to BladeRunners where she received funding for her Level 3 First Aid Certificate. Most recently, Selena completed her Construction Safety Officer (CSO) training through BCIT. This training qualifies her to be the Site Safety Officer on any major construction site throughout British Columbia and Canada.