Restoring Beauty and Dignity

Vancouver, B.C. – Joel Korn, a Sutton REALTOR®, regularly volunteers to help maintain the beauty and dignity of the Downtown Eastside and Vancouver’s Chinatown, which was recognized as a National Historic Site in 2011. Joel joins many other volunteers doing the tedious but meaningful work of cleaning up litter on the streets and sidewalks.

“I have been doing this for a year and the reason I do this is because it is an opportunity to make a difference for some of the most marginalized persons in the city,” Joel says.

“It is also a way to connect with these people and get to see that they are no different than you and me. Besides, the cleanups make the city more beautiful.”

This ongoing project is coordinated by the City of Vancouver. At each event, Joel typically joins about 30 other volunteers, including some friends he has recruited.

Giving a few hours of his time is worth it to help restore the dignity of these storied neighbourhoods. Joel wants locals and visitors to discover the area’s unique character and landmarks including the Carnegie Centre, Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Chinese Classical Garden, and Millennium Gate.

Joel’s cleanup efforts also show respect for the Chinese migrants who helped to build the prosperity of Vancouver and the entire province. Many used Vancouver’s Chinatown as a base between seasonal work at B.C.’s mines, farms, logging camps and canneries. Despite their contributions, they experienced segregated housing and employment, particularly in professions such as medicine, pharmacy and law. Chinese Canadians were finally granted the right to vote in 1947.

Community cleanup is a tangible way for Joel to beautify the city he loves and ensure that it’s a welcoming place for everyone.

To connect with Joel, please visit www.vancouverhomefinders.com.

Sutton is a 100% Canadian-owned and operated company with more than 6,500 REALTORS® in over 200 offices nationwide. To find out more about Sutton, visit www.sutton.com. To learn more about Sutton Spirit, visit www.suttonspirit.com.

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Sutton Group - West Coast Realty:

Joel Korn
604–722–4588
kjoel@sutton.com

Sutton Group Realty Services Ltd.:
Maria Castro
604-691-1689
stories@suttonspirit.com