August – 2025
A Message from Trevor
Not long ago, I was walking downtown and noticed a striking contrast. A condo billboard read, “Live above it all.” Just steps away, a man I’ve come to know was fast asleep on the sidewalk.
I get the appeal of that sign. It’s tempting to rise above discomfort and mess. To stay removed from what’s hard.
But that’s not the path we’ve chosen at Kelowna’s Gospel Mission.
We choose to stay grounded—to live on the street level, where pain is visible but so is possibility. Where hope takes root in the hardest places.
Since stepping into this role, I’ve been deeply moved by our team’s steady belief that no one is too far gone, and no story is beyond hope. We’ve seen the power of safety, belonging, and care that doesn’t quit.
Take the person I mentioned earlier. He was okay, by the way—I checked on him and followed up with our team. They knew exactly who he was and what he was facing.
And he’s not alone. He’s part of this community; just like every other person we serve.
Because what we offer together is more than a bed or a sandwich. It’s dignity. It’s guidance. It’s the belief that change is possible, even when someone can’t yet see it for themselves. You are part of that. You’ve shown, again and again, that you won’t ignore suffering just to live above it all. You’ve chosen to stay on the ground—with us, and with our neighbours who need you most.
Thank you for that.
With gratitude,
FINDING HOME AGAIN: SARAH & MIKE’S STORY OF RESILIENCE
When Sarah* and Mike* arrived at Kelowna’s Gospel Mission, they were at their lowest point. They had lost everything—their RV, their truck, and their beloved dog. It wasn’t due to addiction or mental illness, but rather a devastating theft that took their most personal belongings. With nowhere left to turn, they suddenly found themselves homeless.
But their story began long before that. Sarah had spent 25 years as a nurse, working in harm reduction and delivering medication to hundreds of unhoused people every day in Victoria. That’s where she met Mike. His room stood out—neat, quiet, and with kayaks suspended from the ceiling. “I thought, this guy is different,” Sarah smiles. “When he asked me to go kayaking, I said yes. And then I never really left.”
They decided to leave everything behind in pursuitof a simpler life, living together in an RV and travelling through the interior of British Columbia. For a while, that dream felt real. But after their belongings were stolen, they were thrust into a life of instability, sleeping in parks, alleyways, and, when possible, under a tent. There were nights when they didn’t even have that.
All they wanted was a warm bed, a meal, and a chance to start over.
Eventually, they found their way to Kelowna’s Gospel Mission, where things slowly began to turn around. With help from the team at the shelter, they got their ID documents sorted, connected with other services, and found stability. Mike recovered from a serious illness, and Sarah finally got her teeth fixed after years without dental care.
Soon after, they both found jobs at Walmart, saved up some money, and moved into their own trailer in May.
“It’s a huge step,” Mike says, “And honestly, we couldn’t have done it without KGM.”
“It wasn’t just about a bed or a meal,” Sarah adds. “It was about being seen.”
Now, they’re saving for a truck and setting their sights on Fernie—not as a way to escape, but as the next chapter in a life they’re finally building on their own terms.
*Names changed to protect identity.
Thanks to you, Strides Kelowna was a Success
From little feet to wagging tails, first-time walkers to longtime friends—your love, energy, and support made the 14th Annual Strides Kelowna unforgettable.
You showed up for your neighbours in need, and every step helped move someone closer to safety, belonging, and hope.
To our incredible sponsors and fundraising teams: your generosity is changing lives, one stride at a time. To our volunteers and route marshals: thank you for keeping the energy (and runners!) going strong.
And congratulations to our 5K/10K medalists and top fundraising teams—you inspire us!
We’re still holding onto the joy of that day—the cheers, the community, the shared purpose. Change happens when we walk together, and we couldn’t have done it without you. See you next year!
SWING FOR HOPE, PLAY FOR CHANGE
Kelowna’s Gospel Mission 2025 Charity Golf Classic is back!
Last year, you helped raise over $80,000! Your generosity helped fuel life-changing care for people moving from crisis to stability. Now it’s time to tee up again for a great cause.
Friday, September 5, 2025 Sunset Ranch Golf and Country Club Registration: 9:00 AM Shotgun Start: 10:00 AM (Texas Scramble format)
Spots fill fast! Secure yours now and be part of something powerful. For more information or to register for the event, visit trellis.org/kgm- charity-golf-classic-2025 or scan the code below.
THERE ARE OTHER WAYS TO GIVE!
Help offer comfort, care, and stability all summer long by donating supplies or volunteering with KGM!
Summer in Kelowna can bring more than heat—it can bring real danger for those without shelter. Prolonged exposure to sun and smoke, coupled with a lack of shade or hydration, puts many of our neighbours at risk of dehydration, exhaustion, and serious skin infections.
Above you will see some of our team’s biggest “wish list” items that we are actively looking for donations for.
You also have something powerful you can give: your time. Please consider volunteering with Kelowna’s Gospel Mission. Visit kelownagospelmission.ca/volunteer for more information on how to volunteer.
SCAN THE CODE TO VOLUNTEER!
The work of Kelowna’s Gospel Mission is grounded in hope – it is anchored in the possibility of a person and their circumstance being transformed. Given that we work on the margins and extremes of the human condition, transformation is often incremental – a woman who was alone on the streets begins accessing services from our Outreach team; the man in the dining room dares to invite someone into their painful circumstance and begins to practice vulnerability – a dangerous exercise for anyone, but particularly those who have already lost so much.
Transformation is a fragile thing, at first. Our gains are hard-won. They are earned over time and in the context of basic, compassionate human interaction. The odds are overwhelming – be it the sweltering heat of the summer that parches the throat of those who can’t escape it, or the general malaise of a community that holds them personally responsible for the impacts and effects of homelessness. That people experiencing homelessness can escape their circumstances remains a marvel and a testament to human resiliency.
Emily Dickinson wrote, “Hope is the thing with feathers – that perches in the soul.” The sweet song it sings is not sung in isolation, however. Like so much birdsong, it is meant to be part of a chorus. Hope is a communally held thing. The men and women who serve on the floors of our shelter, or who go out day after day on our streets, bolster up and feed the hope of those they serve. And as we serve, listen, and support, the song of hope grows stronger, and the person being served is more able to spread their wings and fly.
This summer, we invite you to join your song with ours and those we serve through your prayers and financial support. Let hope take flight and bring healing in its wings.
Levi Simpson
Director of Spiritual Care, Kelowna’s Gospel Mission