2024 – November
A Message from the Executive Director
It was Luau Day at the shelter, filled with lighthearted chatter as residents, volunteers and staff enjoyed a special meal of roast pork in a Hawaiian-themed dining room. The joyful atmosphere reminded me of holy communion—juice boxes replacing wine and upside-down pineapple cake serving as bread.
Here, the rich and poor shared a meal as equals in a beautiful, pineapple-infused communion. Laughter echoed through the hall, and I marveled at the beauty of hungry hearts seeking hope, belonging, meaning and love.
In my role, I get to share meals with both the downtrodden and the powerful, and I find them to be the same. We all search for love and belonging. In those moments, despair fades, and hope shines through. As we passed the pineapple cake around, I could feel delight triumphing over despair and thought ‘Another round of that, please!’
For the love of all,
How Kelowna's Gospel Mission Changed Frankie's life
Three years ago, Frankie was living on the streets of Leduc, struggling with trauma and addiction. After finding out that her sick father wanted to see her before he passed, her journey took a harrowing turn. She got sober and tried to make the trip to see her father, relying on hitching a ride with an old friend who was a truck driver. Instead, she was held captive by the truck driver for two months before managing to escape.
Once free, Frankie faced the challenges of homelessness again, but fate intervened when another truck driver offered her help. This time, she connected with some community resources. After several months, she moved to Women’s Community in April 2023, seeking a faith-based environment to deepen her connection with God.
“The day that I had my interview with Nancy, the Director of Women’s Community, she took me upstairs to pick my bedroom… That was the best day ever. And then getting to know everybody and feeling part of the community and having the feeling of safety and support is amazing.”
Today, Frankie is thriving. “My life has changed so much,” she says. “It’s been a 360. I have a sponsor that I meet with once a week. I have friends here now, too.”
With a newfound love for life, faith and community, she’s preparing for her next step: baptism. Frankie plans to work for a year before pursuing schooling; she wants to use her lived experience to help others who are staying at shelters.
Frankie’s courageous journey to recovery is one example of the kind of life story you play a part in, when you give to Kelowna’s Gospel Mission. Thank you for everything you do to uplift our neighbours, turning homelessness into wholeness.
