Our Story

“I commend the Gospel Mission for finding a creative way to address the problem of homelessness in Kelowna. I hope it inspires more people to join the 30K Club. $30 a month can go along way if enough of us join.”

~ Ron Cannan – MP Kelowna Lake Country
30K Club Founding Member

What is the 30K Club

Launched in 2008 to commemorate the 30th Anniversary of Kelowna’s Gospel Mission, the 30K Club is a unique opportunity to make positive, long term change for people less fortunate in our city. In addition to housing, those individuals choosing to change their lives for good can access counselling, support, life skills training, education, and friendship through services provided by 30K.

Take a look at our original campaign and our founding members here .

How you can help

Join the Club!! When you join the 30K Club, you will be joining a group of citizens, businesses, government officials and organizations who share a common vision… to truly change the face of homelessness in Kelowna. Your contribution of $30 per month can helpmake that happen. You may give for a year, or for as long as you wish. Every dollar makes a difference.

Where your money goes

Our homes and programs are successful! We’ve expanded our services to truly help people get back on their feet, moving from homelessness to wholeness. Our first 30K Club home, Shiloh House, which was purchased using 30K Club funds and Provincial Government funds, offers second-stage housing for women and children who are ready to move towards independence but cannot do it alone. While living in the home, women are asked to work or attend school, and support themselves by cooking, cleaning, and generally maintain their own household. In addition to this, we have Harmony House where women living at the residence can still access the counselling required to deal with everyday triggers. Harmony House is conveniently located right next door to Shiloh House.

We must offer more of these homes and programs to help get more people off the street and onto the path of productivity.

Kelowna’s Gospel Mission- The Background

Since opening our doors over 30 years ago the demand for our services has grown exponentially. There is a critical need in Kelowna for affordable housing and services.

At Kelowna’s Gospel Mission, we believe every person has potential to lead a fruitful and productive life. People who have lost their way can grow to have hope, healing and wholeness.

Some factors causing homelessness in Kelowna are:

• Low vacancy rate in rental housing and lack of affordable housing
• Poverty (particularly for higher risk groups)
• Lack of support services for people in need

The vulnerable and the hurting in our city come from all walks of life: men, women, families, young, elderly, healthy and ill. They don’t choose to be homeless. The decline from stability can happen in an instant. Some people don’t have a safety net to catch them when they fall. When basic human needs are not met, people may turn to temporary solutions to numb their pain, like alcohol, drugs, harmful relationships, even suicide.

Meals and shelter may save lives, but they do not end homelessness. Kelowna’s Gospel Mission provides counselling, employment training, transitional housing, education, physical and mental health care, dental care, clothing, even a shower and barber. Everything people need to become whole, regain their dignity and make positive change.

Over thirty years ago, Kelowna’s Gospel Mission was formed with a single idea – providing a hot cup of coffee to those in desperate need in our city. It was a simple plan born out of kindness and concern for others.

Over the years, that kindness and concern has not changed but the needs to the people of Kelowna have not remained simple. So while we still provide that hot cup of coffee, there is so much more that we do.