May – 2025

When “Eddie” first came to Kelowna’s Gospel Mission—not his real name, but one we’ve chosen to honour his privacy—he was quiet and withdrawn. Years of homelessness had left him guarded—worn down by a life of simply trying to survive. He couldn’t even recall the last time he had a place to call his own.

But change started with something simple: stability. At KGM, Eddie found what he hadn’t had in years—meals, a clean bed, a hot shower, and people who treated him with dignity. That foundation allowed something else to emerge: hope.

Day by day, he began to open up. He built relationships, joined a Peer Study Group, and participated in life skills classes. He gained weight, looked healthier, and even started to smile more. Staff could see it—he was lighter, more connected, more himself.

In early 2024, Eddie took a big step forward. He moved into housing—a place of his own with rent, structure, and continued caseworker support. It’s not permanent yet, but for Eddie, it’s everything. He was ecstatic.

While he still faces challenges, he’s no longer on the street. He’s in a safe place with people walking alongside him, helping him take the next step toward stability and healing.

Your support made this possible. You didn’t just give Eddie food and shelter. You gave him the chance to rediscover who he is—and to imagine a future beyond survival. Thank you for helping people like Eddie move forward, one step at a time.

When COVID-19 hit, you might remember that our shelter had to close its doors to the general public during the day. It was like a tectonic shift, the ground moving beneath our feet. But what could have been a setback became an opportunity to go deeper, not just wider, in our support.

Beyond the 60 residents who sheltered overnight, the building was open to the general public as a soup kitchen during the day. As you can imagine, the environment could be fast-paced, unpredictable, and overwhelming. 

But due to pandemic closures, everything quieted, and something remarkable happened.

Suddenly, over 200 people narrowed to just 60 residents staying overnight. We started chess tournaments, small groups and in-depth case management. Focusing on fewer residents meant we could know them on a deeper level. We could build community, and offer more than just a bed and a meal! And for those no longer able to come to us, we extended our outreach services—meeting people where they were and continuing to provide meals and care out in the community.

One young man, we’ll call him Sebastian, first arrived before the pandemic. No one at KGM heard him speak. Not a single word. The bustle and crowds, noises and smells, unfamiliar environment and faces—were all too much for him. Shaking in a corner, Sebastian tried to find comfort through physical separation. 

But as the shelter became calmer, so did he. With consistency and care, he began to participate. Within months, he was working at the coffee cart, greeting people with a quiet “Good morning.” And in time, he was able to take the next step—moving into stable housing.

This is what turning crisis into opportunity looks like: finding stability in upheaval, growth in change, and transformation in unexpected places. And at the heart of it all is the dedicated team at KGM who show up every day, meet each individual where they are, and create the safe, supportive space where healing happens. Their commitment, compassion, and expertise ensure that no matter what challenges come next, KGM will continue to be a place of refuge, hope, and transformation for those who need it most.

Building trust, fostering connection, and ensuring no one is left behind

Thanks to kind supporters like you, KGM is so much more than “a bed and a sandwich.” Our Outreach Team is in the community 365 days a year, serving three meals a day—and offering far more than food.

We meet people with compassion, consistency, and care. This work goes beyond financial poverty—it tackles social poverty too. Because people don’t just fall through the cracks when the money runs out. They fall when support, connection, and community are missing.

When the pandemic closed our dining room to non-residents, we didn’t stop feeding people—we found new ways to reach them. Our team expanded outreach services to meet people where they were with meals, care, and connection to those who once depended on our drop-in soup kitchen. Instead of them coming to us, we went to them. And we’re still doing it.

As one of our team members said:

“Our clients aren’t the stereotype people think of. They’re just like us. What a lot of people don’t realize is that in today’s world, you’re probably one paycheque away from being here.”

Your support helps rebuild trust and restore dignity. Sometimes it starts with a hot meal. Sometimes it’s a simple conversation in a dining room instead of an office. Meeting people where they’re at—physically and emotionally—is what opens the door to change.

Because of you, KGM has grown into a hub of outreach, care, and connection. This is what hope, dignity, and second chances look like—delivered daily, because of you.

Thanks to everyone who participated, this year’s Art for Impact was a resounding success! With stunning works from artists across Canada and an incredible evening dedicated to community and compassion, vital funds were raised to support our unhoused neighbours. A special thank you to our talented artists and everyone who purchased a piece—your generosity made this event possible and truly made a difference!

We would like to thank all our sponsors, with special appreciation for our Presenting Sponsor, Troika Developments, who will continue supporting this event for the next two years.

Our amazing sponsors:

Troika Developments, Command Industries Inc., Da Silva Wines, Doak Shirreff Lawyers, Gord Turner, Gallery 421, Sopa Fine Arts, Hambleton Galleries, Holar Developments, BC Wine, Joey Kelowna, KF Centre,New Horizons, Okanagan College, Opus, Prospera Place, Trevor Walker Photography, Castanet, Stingray, K96.3, New Country 100.7, Evan Porter Media.

When a leader moves on, it’s natural to wonder: will things stay the same? Will the centre hold? Just as lilacs and daffodils open boldly under warm spring skies to herald a new season, our work will carry on. Our foundation is firm. Our team is strong. And we’re excited about what this new season holds—and what will take root and bloom in the years to come.

In the past two years, our partnership with the City of Kelowna has allowed us to lead over 20 Community Coaching Workshops—coming alongside businesses, organizations, and communities to respond with confidence and compassion to our unhoused neighbours. These sessions are filled with practical skills, myth-busting, and wisdom from experience. And they’re making a difference.

We are excited about what’s ahead. With deep roots and growing partnerships, this next chapter is full of possibility.

Our hope is that we’d all see ourselves as part of a community being made whole. None of us ever arrive—we’re all in process. And we need one another’s support as we walk this road toward wholeness.