In the heart of East Vancouver, Mike Sauer leads the Grandview-Woodland Community Policing Centre (GWCPC) with a philosophy rooted in connection over enforcement. A former volunteer turned Executive Director, Sauer oversees a team of staff and nearly 100 volunteers who are committed to grassroots solutions for local safety, graffiti reduction, senior support, and community outreach. While the GWCPC partners with the VPD, it remains an independent society driven by residents—offering everything from storm drain cleaning to car seat education.
Describe your charity/non-profit/volunteer work in a few sentences.
We currently have about 93 active volunteers and around 7 more in the onboarding pipeline—we’re excited to be approaching the 100 mark! Our volunteers contribute to community safety and livability in the Grandview-Woodland neighbourhood. We ask only 4 hours per month from each volunteer, and if someone can’t meet that, no problem—we have an “excuse list.” We’re very community-minded and flexible. Our volunteer base is incredibly diverse, ranging in age from 18 to over 80.
We support a variety of grassroots initiatives, including community cleanups, outreach to unhoused residents, educational events, and patrols that promote safety and connection—not surveillance or enforcement.
What problem does it aim to solve?
Our work is rooted in crime prevention, harm reduction, and empowering community-led solutions. We help address issues like graffiti, theft prevention, and pedestrian safety—but we’re very clear: not everything is a police issue. We believe in community over policing and are focused on giving residents the tools, knowledge, and support to resolve local concerns themselves.
While we work collaboratively with the Vancouver Police Department (VPD), we are an independent non-profit society. We’re staffed by community members, not officers, and we prioritize connection, education, and care over enforcement.
We’re a trusted hub for information, offering everything from personal safety tips to referrals for support services and outreach for vulnerable residents.
When did you start/join it?
I first got involved in 2009—literally because I lived across the street and walked in out of curiosity! I left that day with a volunteer application and a promise to help with a Saturday community cleanup. That one small step turned into something much bigger.
In 2017, I was offered the position of Program Manager, and by 2019, I had stepped into the Executive Director role. It’s been a fulfilling journey, and I continue to learn more every day.
What made you want to get involved?
I’ve always cared about people—especially seniors, small businesses, and vulnerable residents. The more I got involved, the more I enjoyed it. It feels good to help create a cleaner, safer, and more connected community.
We do a lot more than people realize—from storm basin clearing to graffiti removal, to offering seniors walks and outreach support. I have a real soft spot for older adults, and with the help of our amazing volunteers, we’ve built programs to support their health and well-being.
What more needs to be done?
There’s always more to be done. Every community has its own stresses—whether that’s youth support, senior care, garbage and graffiti cleanup, or social isolation.
We’d love to see more people get involved in serving their own neighbourhoods. That doesn’t have to be through us—just find something that speaks to you, whether that’s mentoring youth, helping seniors, or joining a cleanup crew. We even run child car seat education programs in partnership with BCAA.
How can our readers help?
The best way to help is to get involved locally. If you live in the Grandview-Woodland area and want to volunteer, we’d love to hear from you! But even beyond our centre, there are so many opportunities to contribute. Whether it’s shovelling snow for a neighbour, painting over graffiti, or organizing a block watch—small actions add up.
Do you have any events coming up?
Yes! On Wednesday, October 1st, from 10 am–12 pm, we’re hosting a special National Seniors Day walk to celebrate and connect with our older residents.
This week’s Walking Grandview seniors walk will recognize National Seniors Day, and we’re inviting 2SLGBTQI+ community members aged 55+ who live in or near Grandview-Woodland to join us. We’ll meet at the GWCPC and walk together to Trout Lake Community Centre, where we’ll enjoy a post-walk social with refreshments. We’ll also be sharing information on senior pedestrian safety as the days get shorter and wetter with Vancouver rain.
Through our weekly walks, we’ve seen how isolation affects elders, and we know many 2SLGBTQI+ seniors may be feeling this even more strongly. Our goal is to connect with this community and, moving forward, offer workshops and social activities that help combat isolation and reflect their interests.
Connecting with this group has been challenging, so we’re hoping to raise awareness through your newsletter. If this information reached you too late, no problem — and please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions about the event.
We’re also working on developing an LGBTQ+ social initiative to build more inclusive and welcoming spaces in the community. Stay tuned for more details!
Where can we follow you?
You can learn more about us and stay up to date through our website and social media platforms:
Website | Facebook | Instagram
