The 2025 Hope in Shadows Calendar has officially launched, and with it comes a collection of striking images that offer an authentic look at life in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside. Released on October 10, 2024, the calendar shares intimate stories from the community, seen through the eyes—and lenses—of the people who live there. For 22 years, this project has been a powerful tool for changing perceptions and challenging the stereotypes often associated with one of Vancouver’s most marginalized neighborhoods.
A Snapshot of Lived Experience
The theme for this year’s calendar, “Snapshot – A Moment in Time,” invited community members to capture images that reflect the moments that matter most to them. Over 2,000 photos were submitted in July, and a panel of community jurors selected 30 finalists. These selected photographs reveal not just the challenges, but also the resilience, culture, and everyday beauty of the Downtown Eastside (DTES).
One standout image is “A Moment Caught in Time,” the calendar’s cover photo by Naomi Gabriel. Her photograph captures the long-standing Indigenous culture that is central to the DTES. Gabriel, like other participants, used a disposable camera and worked within the contest’s theme, documenting a narrative often overshadowed by mainstream media.
Each year, the Hope in Shadows Calendar pushes back against the often one-sided portrayals of poverty and addiction. Instead, it tells a fuller, more nuanced story of the people who live in the DTES, allowing them to reclaim their narrative. The result is not only a stunning collection of photos but also a reflection on the power of art to connect communities and challenge deeply entrenched stereotypes.
A Project Born from the Community
The Hope in Shadows project began in 2003, created by Pivot Legal Society as a way to offer the DTES community a platform to share their stories. In 2016, it was passed to Megaphone Magazine, whose vendors now sell the calendar as part of their livelihood.
The project involves around 150 community members each year, who are given disposable cameras and basic photography training, including how to obtain consent from their subjects. They are then sent into the streets for five days to document their lives. The outcome is a collection of award-winning photography that captures the heart of the DTES community—its people, struggles, and moments of joy.
According to Megaphone, this approach not only gives the photographers a creative outlet but also encourages reflection on the barriers to equal participation that so many of these residents face. It’s a raw, unfiltered look at life in one of Vancouver’s most scrutinized neighborhoods, told by the people who know it best.
More than Just Photos
For many, the Downtown Eastside is synonymous with poverty, homelessness, and addiction—images that the media often sensationalizes. However, the Hope in Shadows Calendar presents a more holistic view. It showcases moments of community, creativity, and culture that rarely make headlines, and in doing so, it challenges the viewer to rethink preconceived notions.
“Hope in Shadows allows participants to reclaim their image,” Megaphone explains. “It highlights lived experiences in a way that counters prevailing narratives, showing these communities with familiarity, dignity, and affection.”
Through these photographs, viewers get a glimpse into the rich, diverse, and human side of the DTES. The project demonstrates that while the community may face significant challenges, it is also a place of deep culture, resilience, and beauty.
Supporting Livelihoods
The Hope in Shadows Calendar isn’t just a beautiful piece of art—it’s also an essential source of income for Megaphone’s vendors, many of whom are low-income or homeless. The model is simple: vendors buy the calendar for $10 and sell it for $20, keeping the profit. This allows them to earn a meaningful income while participating in a project that uplifts their community.
Megaphone vendors can be found across Vancouver’s streets during the fall and winter months, offering not only the calendar but also a connection to the stories and lives behind the photographs. By purchasing a calendar, you are directly supporting these vendors and helping them make a living with dignity.
Where to Buy the 2025 Hope in Shadows Calendar
The 2025 Hope in Shadows Calendar is available for purchase directly from Megaphone vendors or through the Megaphone Magazine online store. Whether you buy it from a vendor on the street or order it online, your purchase will support marginalized residents of the Downtown Eastside while also giving you a stunning piece of art that tells a deeper story of Vancouver’s most misunderstood community.
Hope in Shadows Continues to Inspire
Since its inception, the Hope in Shadows project has sparked important conversations about representation, empowerment, and how we view marginalized communities. Every photograph in the calendar is a testament to the human spirit, showing that there is much more to the DTES than what is often portrayed.
This year’s theme, “Snapshot – A Moment in Time,” captures the idea that every life is composed of small, meaningful moments—whether they are filled with joy, pain, or resilience. The 2025 Hope in Shadows Calendar offers an opportunity to see those moments firsthand and engage with a community that continues to inspire through its creativity and strength.
By purchasing the calendar, you’re not just getting a collection of powerful images—you’re supporting a project that champions dignity, agency, and hope for Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside residents.
So, as the year approaches its end, consider making the 2025 Hope in Shadows Calendar a part of your home or office, and in doing so, become a part of this incredible story of community, resilience, and change.
For more information and to purchase the calendar online, visit megaphonemagazine.com.
This project continues to show how a single photograph can shift perspectives, offering a humanized, authentic view of life in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside. Don’t miss out on the chance to support this important work—get your 2025 Hope in Shadows Calendar today.
Teresa is a dedicated storyteller rooted in the Downtown Eastside, reporting on local art, cultural events, and community initiatives. Her work highlights the creativity and resilience of the neighbourhood, amplifying voices that often go unheard. Believing in the power of art to connect and inspire, Teresa focuses on the people and projects that shape the vibrant DTES community.
Leave a Comment