Imagine an unconventional creative writing workshop. PhD student Klára opens each session with drumming and sound therapy, creating space for inspiration. Throughout the program, community members from Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside gather to turn lived experience into art. Undergraduate student Ayla illustrates their stories, bringing words to vibrant life.

This creative collaboration is made possible by donor support through the Downtown Eastside Learning Exchange’s English Conversation Program, where newcomers practice English, often through art based activities. The Learning Exchange brings together Downtown Eastside residents, UBC students and faculty and community organizations to learn from one another. For over 20 years, donors have supported this unique shared space for exploring ideas. On Giving Day, every gift directly supports programming like the English Conversation Program.

For Klára, the program offered creative freedom she’d never experienced. Donor support enabled her to combine her passions—sound healing, creative writing and language teaching— into an innovative approach that transformed how community members saw themselves.

“Through their work, they began to see themselves as real writers, and I saw the transformation in them,” she reflects.

When Ayla first read the community members’ stories, she was moved to tears at her desk.

“Their skillful writing and the meaning behind their work made me all the more excited to illustrate their stories,” she says. “When I was younger, I wanted to be a children’s book illustrator, so I was grateful to be able to combine that passion with the already meaningful and rewarding work we were doing at the Learning Exchange.”

She worked closely with each author to create custom illustrations that captured the emotion and vision of their writing. The result? A beautiful booklet showcasing community members’ writing and artwork. At the final showcase during the Downtown Eastside Writers Festival, authors presented their work with newfound confidence.

“Klára and the learners were so thankful for my illustrations and humbled about all the work they put into the booklet themselves, “says Ayla. “At our final event, it was amazing to see them show off the final product, and I felt such pride in the collaboration we had together.”

Investments from donors create ripple effects: Ayla now works as visual editor at The Ubyssey, applying the skills she gained through this collaboration, while Klára has woven arts and creative expression into all her teaching at UBC following this powerful experience. Community members discovered their voices as writers. And meaningful connections bridged campus and community.

As one participant shared, “They are making a huge difference in the lives of so many people, many of whom are from marginalized populations.”