2023 – 2024

Every meal shared, and every connection made through our Outreach Team, has the power to transform lives. At Kelowna’s Gospel Mission, these moments ignite hope for a brighter tomorrow, opening doors to belonging, dignity, and possibility.

For many, a warm meal or cup of coffee is more than nourishment—it’s a lifeline. These simple acts of care meet people at their lowest moments, reminding them they are not alone. Often, this first step leads to deeper relationships and access to services that help them move forward.

Outreach goes beyond providing essentials—it’s about building trust. This trust enables us to perform Vulnerability Assessment Tools (VATs), which connect our most vulnerable neighbours to life-changing resources, including housing, substance use treatment, and mental health care. Over shared meals and conversations, we guide individuals to detox programs, housing support, and employment pathways.

 Your gifts have provided meals, outreach, and the gateway to brighter futures. Thank you for being part of this life-changing work.

Hope begins here—one meal, one connection at a time.

Program Insights

• 128 People assisted in accessing essential services they needed. (e.g., VATS completed and assistance with identification support and retrieval)
• 215 Individuals connected with permanent and temporary housing
• 270 Health related connections (e.g., referrals for substance use disorder treatment and physical/mental health services)
• 57,826 Outreach connections with clients
• 116,800 Connections made over coffee
• 192,900 Meals shared nourishing body & soul

Your support transforms our shelter facilities into spaces of healing and rebuilding. Beyond providing a safe place to sleep, each shelter offers wraparound care, including casework management, to connect individuals with resources and help them take meaningful steps toward their goals.

With a trauma-informed approach, KGM caseworkers support clients in transitioning to housing, finding employment, and regaining stability. These personalized efforts ensure that each person feels empowered and cared for on their journey forward.

Your generosity also restores dignity and fosters belonging. From haircuts to movie nights and seasonal celebrations, you help create opportunities for connection and hope. For those with pets, our pet-friendly accommodations ensure no one has to choose between safety and companionship.

Every moment—a warm bed, a fresh haircut, or shared laughter—builds a community where everyone feels seen and supported. Thank you for making this life-changing work possible.

Program Insights

• 8 Sustainable jobs secured
• 45 Clients attained housing
• 1,400 Total Number of pet days at the shelter
• 1,542 Haircuts, restoring dignity and building confidence
• 5,000+ Clients and staff joined for connection and community events, like movie nights, seasonal festivities and more.  
• 42,419 Nights of safe sleep

Good oral health goes far beyond a bright smile—it can be life-changing. The pain of a toothache or the self-consciousness of missing teeth can hold people back from reaching their full potential. At our Dental Clinic, we provide compassionate care to those who might otherwise go without, restoring dignity and giving people the confidence to move forward in their lives.

Last year, nearly 2,000 patients came through our doors, many in severe pain or facing health challenges. Thanks to your support, we welcome everyone, regardless of their ability to pay, offering services on a sliding scale to ensure no one is turned away.

For Frankie, this care was transformative. After years of trauma and addiction, she came to Kelowna’s Gospel Mission and began rebuilding her life. She found faith, community, and support in our Women’s Community and deepened her spiritual journey through baptism. However, the loss of her teeth due to past abuse shattered her confidence and made eating difficult.

Our dental team provided gentle, compassionate care, and even helped her connect with a denturist. Today, Frankie has safe housing, is pursuing college to become a human services worker, and is smiling again.

Frankie’s story reminds us of the power of compassion, dignity, and second chances.

Program Insights

• Dr. Wong volunteered 12 hours on complex surgical cases
• 210 Denturist referrals (includes restorative dental work and referrals to denturists, etc.)
• 457 Emergency dental procedures
• 807 Hygiene appointments at the preventive dental clinic
• 2,799 Total patients assisted in the dental clinic

At a time when housing is out of reach for many, the Women’s Community continues its vital work of providing sanctuary and support for women in crisis. Formerly known as Harmony Ministries, this new name brings a renewed commitment to creating safe, empowering spaces where women can heal, grow, and build a brighter future.

Through four unique facilities—Harmony House, Shiloh, and Selah 1 & 2—women are offered both transitional and long-term housing options tailored to their needs. These homes are more than just houses; they are communities of care where women can find stability and strength alongside others facing similar challenges.

Thanks to you, program fees are fixed at an affordable rate and includes utilities, cable, and high-speed internet. Program participants share a kitchen and a common living space, partaking in the daily tasks of life together, fostering a true sense of home. 

It’s not just a roof and four walls; it’s a safe space that encourages healing and hope for vulnerable people, giving them the tools, resources, and support to reclaim their lives. Thank you for helping women in need find a place to call home, so they can rebuild their lives.

Program Insights

• 91 Life skills sessions (eg. boundaries, counselling, house meetings)
• 669 Spiritual discipleship sessions (eg. daily devotions, Bible studies)
• 9,490 Nights of safe sleep

Thanks to your support, our Community Eats food truck, under Chef Jeremy Luypen, is now providing employment for shelter residents and generating sustainable income serving everything from construction sites to private events. All profits are reinvested into training programs that help residents build skills and transition into permanent employment.

But the impact of serving meals to the community doesn’t stop there. 

This year, we’ve also introduced new preservation techniques—like drying and pickling—to rescue more food from landfills and make the most of your generous food donations. This initiative is more than a sustainability effort. It’s about feeding people today while planning for tomorrow, ensuring we can improve nutrition and stretch every donation even further. 

With your help, we hope to grow this effort over the next year, by establishing a fund to hire a full-time food preservation manager. Whether you support our food truck or our kitchen, you’re creating even more opportunities to provide our community with dignity, nourishment, and hope. Thank you!

Program Insights

• Over 2,000+ lbs of fresh produce diverted from landfill and life extended through preserving: eg: pickled vegetables, jams, etc. 
• 300 hours of work in our Food Truck offered clients a chance to engage in meaningful employment this year
• $11,974 was raised by the Food Truck to help sustain and grow our programs

Transformation starts with community. This year, we hosted a range of events—from an Art for Impact evening to top local chefs competing in our inaugural Ultimate Takeout Challenge —celebrating creativity, connection, and the generosity of those who make our work possible. These events are more than fundraisers; they’re opportunities to bring people together, reminding us that everyone has a role to play in building a stronger, more compassionate community.

In partnership with the City of Kelowna and the Uptown Rutland Business Association, we also launched our Community Coaching Workshops. Equipping local businesses to respond to homelessness with empathy and practical solutions, so everyone is treated with respect while businesses feel safe and supported.

By fostering understanding and compassion, we’re breaking down barriers and creating a city where everyone can thrive. The fewer people experiencing homelessness, the better it is for all of us. Community-driven change is powerful, together we’re elevating everyone and creating a brighter future for Kelowna. 

Program Insights

• 16 workshops with local businesses
• 120 Participants From Businesses Joined The Community Workshops
• Art for Impact raised $150,000
• Golf tournament $80,000
• Ultimate Take Out Challenge $40,000

Carol’s acts of service is a beautiful reminder that compassion has no limits. Whether young or old, every volunteer brings something invaluable to Kelowna’s Gospel Mission—a willingness to serve others with kindness and dignity.

Our volunteers are at the heart of everything we do. They serve meals, sort donations, provide haircuts, help with special events, and so much more. Most importantly, they help build a community where everyone feels seen, valued, and cared for.

We’re deeply grateful to each volunteer for their time, energy, and unwavering support. Your generosity makes Kelowna a better place for all—and it wouldn’t be possible without you. Your kindness reminds us that change is possible when we come together. With each volunteer hour given, you help turn hardship into hope and build a community where everyone has a chance to thrive.

“I’ve volunteered for five years and love the coffee cart—it lets me connect with clients and hear their stories. They’re always kind and respectful. KGM is often a last resort for people—I’ve heard stories of people nearly freezing. Every family has struggles, and we’re not here to judge. Sometimes, I pray with them, but I always pray for them.” — Carol, KGM Volunteer

Program Insights

• 136 Total Volunteers
• 17,734 Volunteer Hours

We often say that Kelowna’s Gospel Mission is more than a bed and a sandwich. But what does that truly mean? How do we measure the unseen—the moments of connection, healing, and transformation? These are questions we don’t shy away from. We hold fast to the belief that every person is sacred and worthy of dignity and respect, and if that is true, then holding ourselves accountable to a high standard of care is essential.

Our Spiritual Care program reflects this belief. It’s about more than meeting immediate needs—it’s about creating space for renewal, hope, and healing. Our Indigenous Advocate conducted a report examining how well we were meeting the needs of our Indigenous and Métis residents. This report was informed by interviews and interactions with 81 shelter-seeking clients, 22 community partners, and six members of our staff and leadership team. The findings and recommendations were invaluable, shaping the goals of our Spiritual Care Department for 2024-2025.

The work we do together is a living testament to the belief that light can enter even the darkest places. In a world that often feels weighed down by despair, we find hope in the simple, powerful acts of care and connection.

Your support makes this possible. Thank you for shining your light—for treating every person with grace, mercy, and compassion. May we all continue to walk in the light of love, renewing both our own spirits and the lives of those we serve. Thank you for helping our community be remade whole.

Program Insights

• 14 Partnerships strengthened with local churches
• 160+ Connections made with shelter residents in 363 meetings (listening, prayer, games, coffee)
• 448 Internal meetings with staff (critical incident debriefings, counseling, etc.)

Indigenous Advocate Report

• 6 staff/directors engaged
• 22 community partners
• 81 shelter clients

At Kelowna’s Gospel Mission, every dollar entrusted to us is a commitment to care, compassion, and change. Your generosity fuels our mission—providing meals, shelter, outreach, and vital services that transform lives.

We prioritize transparency, sustainability, and love to show you how you’re making a direct impact in the community. Through careful management of our resources and your contribution, we’re ensuring that your support goes where it’s needed most, meeting immediate needs while investing in long-term solutions.

Together, we’re proud to be building a community where everyone has the chance to thrive. Here’s a quick look at our 2023- 2024 numbers, so you can see just how your support made a difference over the past year.