November – 2025
A Message from Trevor
Everyone wants to be seen, heard, and valued.
One of the things I find myself saying a lot these days is that “people are just people”. All of us, housed or unhoused, rich or poor, refugee or citizen, we’re all just people and we all have the same needs. We need to be recognized by the people around us as human. We need to be seen and heard. We need to know we are valued.
Over the last couple of months, I’ve been grateful to attend two events for residents, volunteers, and staff. In August, we hosted a western-themed BBQ at our Bay Ave. Shelter. A few weeks later, we held a baseball game at a local field. Both events were only possible because of the support of local donors and sponsors, like YOU.
What stands out for me about both of those days is that there wasn’t a lot of distinction between staff, residents, and volunteers. We were all “just people” eating and talking and playing together.
I’m grateful to you because it’s your support for KGM’s work that tells people they are seen, heard, and valued. That steady presence changes lives.
With deep gratitude,
Finding Community Again: Gabriel’s Story
When Gabriel walked through our doors this past May, he looked terrified. He clutched his bag like it was all he had left. Because it was. At 57, Gabriel never imagined he’d be here. He had spent most of his life with stability: a steady job as a chef, a home, and a partner he loved. But when financial stress led to losing his job, everything else crumbled too. His relationship ended, the bills piled up, and before long, he found himself completely alone, scared, and without a place to go.
“You don’t think it can happen to you… but it can happen to anyone,” he said. When Gabriel came toKelowna’s Gospel Mission, he expected judgment or shame. Instead, he found something else entirely – community.
Abby, one of our caseworkers, remembers that moment vividly. “When he first came to us, he was holding onto his bag like it was his only anchor, so full of fear and uncertainty. Now, seeing him walk with confidence, building connections, and taking steps toward independence reminds us why this work matters. It’s a powerful reminder of the resilience people carry within them.”
Gabriel joined our Momentum program, where he’s been strengthening his budgeting and life skills while building the confidence to return to work. With encouragement from our Food Services Manager, he updated his résumé, earned his FirstAid and FoodSafe certifications, and started applying for kitchen jobs again.
Even while rebuilding his own life, Gabriel has been giving back and volunteering around the shelter, sweeping floors, washing dishes, and helping wherever he can. The other day, he came in wearing a suit he had thrifted for interviews. He grinned from ear to ear and said, “Look at this… what do you think?” That suit wasn’t just about looking for work. It was about hope. It was about dignity. It was about belonging again.
Today, Gabriel walks our halls with his head held high. He knows the road ahead won’t be easy, but he’s not walking it alone anymore.
He has community. He has support. And he has hope.
*Names changed to protect identity.
Look At What You Did This Summer!
And, looking ahead to what items we critically need as Winter approaches.
This summer, thanks to you, our generous donors and dedicated volunteers, our Outreach Team was able to bring life-saving help to those who needed it most. Whether it was a bottle of water on a hot day, Gatorade to prevent heat exhaustion, sunscreen for protection, or vital casework connections, every act of care was made possible by your support.
From the bottom of our hearts, thank you!
As we look ahead, the challenges of winter are coming, and the need will only grow. We’ll continue to rely on your kindness, through volunteering, donating, or simply staying connected with us, so that together, we can offer compassion and hope all year long.
This winter, we will be in high need of warm jackets and clothing, underwear, gloves, blankets, sleeping bags, and hand warmers.
Kelowna, you showed up
Thanks to you, the Charity Golf Classic was a success!
We are so grateful to everyone who made the Kelowna’s Gospel Mission Charity Golf Classic a beautiful success!
From our incredible sponsors, to the 144 golfers, to the volunteers and friends who gave their time and energy — your generosity fuels the life-changing programs and services that bring hope and dignity to our neighbours in need.
A special thank you to our leading sponsors, prize and dinner sponsors, media partners, and every single business and individual who showed up with open hearts. And, a huge shout-out to Adam Relvas from Relvas Catering for donating back his 50/50 winnings!
Thank you to Brad Karp from K96.3 for being our dynamic emcee. Your energy and connection with the crowd truly enhanced the event. And to Sunset Ranch Golf Course and their team, for the organization and excellent support— you ensured everything ran smoothly, making it a day to remember.
See you next year!
With gratitude to our sponsors:
Leading Sponsors:
Gold: Source office Furniture
Silver: Troika Management, Gorman Bros
Bronze: Venture Commercial, Juxta Interior design, Urban Systems
Dinner Sponsor:
Peter’s Wealth Management
Prize Sponsor:
Reach Tire & Auto
Golf Cart Sponsor:
Canco
Hole-in-One Sponsors:
Okanagan Valley Insurance, Lexus, Nissan, Kelowna Mazda
Tee Box Sponsors:
Gord Turner Renovations, Charity Golf International, Harmony Honda, Mail-O-Matics, LTA Consultants, KBI, The Co-operators, Big Sky Kitchens, Premium Roofing, Wilson M Beck Insurance Services
Flag Sponsors:
Plant Gathers, Do Gooders, Puroclean, Over the Top, Gordon Food Services, Dovetail Digital Inc., Okapro, Black Rabbit Coffee, Leaves & Fishes, K-Town Customs, Darelyn Carpet & Tile Cleaning, Schueler Group Benefits Corp
Media Sponsors:
Castanet, Stingray, Kelowna Capital News, Trevor Walker Photography, Speedpro
Additional Thanks:
Peter’s Independent, Karma
The Little Thrift Shop That Could
Shop for a Cause! Every purchase you make supports life-changing care at KGM.
Our Thrift Store at 125 Roxby Road is more than a shop! It’s a place where generosity comes full circle.
When you donate gently used clothing or household items, you share kindness with others. When you volunteer, you give your time and care to help the store run. When you shop, every purchase supports meals, shelter, and care for our neighbours who are struggling.
Each action, big or small, helps change lives. With every step of support, It’s where something once loved finds a new home to be loved again in our community.
Curious on how to donate items or volunteer? Click HERE for more information!
Your Gift will be doubled this christmas
Double the Hope. Double the Impact.
Christmas is soon approaching! And, we have some incredible news!
Thanks to very generous donors, until December 2nd, all gifts will be MATCHED up to $190,000! This means your gift will go twice as far, doubling your impact. This Christmas, your gift doesn’t just provide twice the meals. It also doubles the care, connection, and life-saving support that brings hope to our neighbours in need. Thank you for showing God’s love in action this season. Click HERE to give!
Warmth in the winter
Winters can be unforgiving. Those of us who have shelter maybe able to escape the cold, but for those outside, the cold inevitably finds its way through clothing, and the snows remind them just how exposed they really are. For our neighbours on the streets, winter is not just another season: it is survival measured hour by hour, breath by breath.
For folks facing the struggles of homelessness, community supports are a lifeline. At Kelowna’s Gospel Mission, we see the weight people carry when each night’s rest is uncertain, when frost nips at their hands, and when hope feels like it’s slipping away. Your support by way of donation, prayer, volunteerism,and community advocacy, is a gift. It contributes to our efforts to push back against the darkness and offer an ember of hope where cold despair has seeped in.
I am reminded of that scene from the Christmas story in Luke’sGospel, where shepherds huddle in the dark fields, keeping watch over their flocks by night. They are not the mighty or the proud, but ordinary, weary people holding on until dawn. And it is into their cold, uncertain night that the angel’s good news breaks through: “Do not be afraid. A saviour is born!” In the cold and in the dark, among those on the margins, where the night feels longest, God arrives. And so, what else can we do but try to show up alongside those navigating homelessness?
For those of us with roofs over our heads and warmth at our fingertips, may this season be a call not just to gratitude but to presence – to draw near to and support those who huddle in the cold fields, back alleys, and streets of our own city, and to discover that Christ has already gone ahead of us there.
Levi Simpson
Director of Outreach, Casework and Care, Kelowna’s Gospel Mission
We have an incredible community
Sometimes the most meaningful moments come from serving side by side.
We already knew our community was full of caring people, but you all keep showing up again and again and this Summer was no different.
In August, the Stober Group and their team joined us at Kelowna’s Gospel Mission for a day we’ll never forget. They started in the kitchen, helping prep food by cutting and chopping. The day continued at the Bay Shelter, where our residents were excited and happy: playing games, sharing laughter, and enjoying kind conversations.
The Stober team also helped pack meals for our Outreach Team to serve the unhoused community, before ending the day by serving dinner with love and compassion to our Bay residents. The smiles and gratitude around the table said it all.
Thank you to Chucks BBQ for lending us a smoker, and to TinaTang from tt Bakeshop for creating beautiful cupcakes that were as delicious as they looked.
We also had an amazing day out on the diamond where our residents played a lively game of baseball, enjoyed a pizza dinner, and had time to connect! A huge thank you to Peter’s Your Independent Grocer Kelowna and their team for bringing another year of fun to our residents.
And, a big shout-out to Domino’s on Harvey for donating delicious pizzas that made the day even more special.
This game wasn’t about playing against each other but about coming together as one community. Your kindness and generosity is what makes memories like these possible and shows what it means to love your neighbour. Thank you, Kelowna!