Aaron Webster is being memorialized by the Co-operative Housing Federation of BC (CHFBC) through a memorial fund and the renaming an East Vancouver housing co-op.
At the time of his brutal murder in Stanley Park on Nov 17, 2001, Webster was the president of Cityview Housing Co-op. Its name is being officially changed to the Aaron Webster Housing Co-op.
Co-op resident Cassia Kantrow says the decision to rename the building came when Webster’s story returned to the news as his killers were being convicted. “They were being sentenced and sentenced lightly,” she says. “I thought it would be even more important if we changed the name of the co-op. It would have a larger, important impact.”
The Aaron Webster Memorial Fund was launched by the CHFBC to support projects started by people aged 13-20 who live in housing co-ops. To qualify, projects must highlight diversity issues and help educate people on the need for inclusion, respect and understanding in our society.
The awards will be given each November and donations can be made through the federation.
There are 260 non-profit housing co-ops in BC providing just over 14,000 affordable co-op homes to their members. CHFBC is the provincial federation representing BC housing co-ops.