7 12, 2023

Sharing Your Light Brings Hope

2024-02-12T12:08:36-08:00

How do individuals thrive, when the family – that is their everything – is hurting? They simply can’t. Community coming around those families through their support of social service agencies like KCR Community Resources makes all the difference in allowing children and parents to be their best selves. Will you Share your Light with those facing darkness today?

Financial stress, hunger, isolation and feelings of overwhelm are a reality that many in our community experience. There are many incredible organizations for you to share your donations with. Today I am making the case for you to consider KCR Community Resources as a place to holistically support vulnerable families and individuals to meet them where they are at and to provide services vital to them.

Our dedicated teams have offered services for 40 years, officially starting on October 25, 1983 as Kelowna Community Resources Society to offer life-saving Crisis Line safety net.  Dedicated to meeting critical needs on an emergent and proactive basis we have grown to serve in four key areas: immigrant and refugee services, employment services, family and adoption services and community services. Your donation today makes all the difference in allowing us to continue this work.

In 2016, we opened the Central Okanagan Family Hub to fill a crucial gap in the community: an inclusive space where along with programs, parents get support to navigate the varied resources that are available in the community and help to connect them to the most appropriate ones for them. 

Valeriia arrived in Kelowna on New Year’s Day this year, after fleeing the war in Ukraine and living in a refugee camp. She was nine months pregnant and brought with her a toddler and two suitcases. Although she already had a host family to live with, none of them knew where to turn as the new baby arrived just six days later. The Family Hub was able to provide support and resources, even though it was the holidays. As Valeriia has said, 

“I went to the Family Hub and they showed me the many opportunities that were here and they opened for me many doors. You don’t feel alone when you have an organization like KCR at your back. Now I have so much. I have friends, connections and opportunities. All because of KCR.”

Here are some of the ways that you make a difference with your support of KCR:

  • Families experiencing financial hardships get food support and personal hygiene necessities so that a parent doesn’t have to decide between buying milk or diapers;
  • Immigrant and newcomer families, are welcomed to a culturally-safe space that forges inclusive relationships;
  • Grandparents raising grandchildren, have critical connection with similar families as they parent for the second time;
  • Children access health and developmental supports at age appropriate stages.

Families are facing increasing needs. Bring them hope and relief. Cumulative effects of ongoing pandemic impact, rising inflation, increased mental health concerns, along with international strife and displacement of people, is having a profound effect on individuals, families and the community overall.

Thank you for your consideration a gift that will bring light to families. Your donation, no matter how big or small, will build more resilient families that can truly shine. When you Share your Light with the individuals and families that KCR serves, your gift makes a meaningful difference, empowering them and allowing them to thrive. Choose to allocate your gift specifically to Family Services, or direct your impact towards other services such as the Crisis Line, Immigrant and Refugee Services or Areas of Greatest Need.

For more information go to www.kcr.ca.

Sharing Your Light Brings Hope2024-02-12T12:08:36-08:00
24 08, 2023

Sharing Gratitude for Those Going Above and Beyond

2024-02-12T12:00:43-08:00

My original plan for the next three weeks was to showcase a few of the amazing organizations and volunteers that are participating in the Okanagan Volunteer Fair slated for September 16 but as I sit in my smoky kitchen, on edge and anxious during the Okanagan’s newest Firestorm, I can’t help but think about the incredible sacrifices made by people who, within the scope of their work, are asked to reach deep and go way above and beyond the regular expectations or requirements of their jobs.

From all of us at KCR, we want to give a giant shout-out to ALL of them, as well as the volunteers who are stepping up to support them. We simply can’t list everyone right away, however below are a few of the professions that came to my mind. Consider this the start of a Gratitude List. Feel free to share your vote for a big shout-out to teams that are going above and beyond. Share them on our Facebook page, wherever you find this article online or just in your social circle – let’s show our gratitude wherever and whenever we can.

KCR’s Emergency Gratitude List (please add yours at facebook.com/kcrcommunity)

    • Firefighters must top this list. They are literally rushing into the thick of the emergency, risking their lives and health, to save us, our beautiful community and the structures that make our lives easier and more comfortable. Consider people’s homes of course, but also the public infrastructure like the new Rose Valley reservoir water treatment plant. A $75M project that helps to provide vital clean water for thousands of families every day. Firefighters are seriously working overtime to meet the unprecedented need, forgoing days off and sleep. Consider West Kelowna’s Fire Chief stating “It was 100 years’ worth of firefighting in one night.” They are working non-stop. Firefighters from other communities are also making their way to this region to help. Their heart, courage and stamina are so incredibly admirable.

    • Let’s also recognize all those families that are missing and worrying about their loved ones as they go to work!

    • Emergency responders like the RCMP who step up to ensure traffic flows are safe out of evacuation zones and go knocking door to door to share evacuation orders and information.

    • Government workers and officials who are trained and prepared to jump into the fray to set up the Emergency Operations Centres that ensure the resources and services are in place to help needs. This also includes running the communication centers and news conferences that share out the information we are all so desperately seeking. Let’s also consider that we are talking about three different municipalities, a regional district, different fire departments etc and all of them needing to bring an additional level of communication and collaboration to their work in this crisis. Think also about the reporters that are out there asking questions we wish we could ask so that we can feel like we know what is going on.

    • Emergency Support Services workers and volunteers that are on the front lines of helping distraught families fleeing their homes. Their lives get hijacked as they jump into support mode.

  • All those on evacuation orders or alerts who are showing up for their everyday jobs – no matter what they are (grocery stores, gas stations, social service agencies etc etc). It takes additional effort to show up when you can’t sleep in your own bed, or know if your home is safe. And don’t forget, you don’t know who is going through this or not, so just be kind to everyone.

Thank you to you all! We are sending strength and courage to community members that are evacuated or on alert, are suffering due to the smoke and air quality and everyone that is needing to navigate this chaotic time for themselves and for their families.

We recognize that this situation is causing even more stress, when people are still reeling from the pandemic and other hardships of the past few years. Please remember to give grace to those around you, knowing that they are doing their best in difficult times.

Also remember, if the stress you are feeling is overwhelming, help is only a call away through the Crisis Line at 1-888-353-CARE (2273). You can call 24/7 and someone will be there to offer support, an empathic ear and access to resources that can help. You can also text 45645 (11 am- 11 pm PST ). Both texts and calls are free, confidential and anonymous.

By: Dorothee Birker
Manager in Community Services

Sharing Gratitude for Those Going Above and Beyond2024-02-12T12:00:43-08:00
19 07, 2023

Kelowna Morningside Rotary Does it Again!

2024-02-12T12:00:08-08:00

THEY HAVE DONE IT AGAIN!🌟

Kelowna Morningside Rotary Club has once again proven its unwavering commitment to positively impacting our community. For the second year in a row, they deserve our recognition for their incredible support of the Children’s Summer Reading Program.

This amazing initiative aims to provide much-needed assistance to children in grades 1-3 who are struggling with reading. Through this donation, The Kelowna Morningside Rotary Club supports the collaboration of KCR Community Resources, Central Okanagan Family Hub, Project Literacy, Childhood Connections, and the Central Okanagan Food Bank and ensures that these children have access to the resources they need.

Let’s give a round of applause to the Kelowna Morningside Rotary Club and all the incredible individuals involved in this initiative. Together, we can continue to create a brighter future for our young readers!

For more information on the Children’s Summer Reading Program please visit the website projectliteracy.ca/programs/childrens-summer-reading-program

Kelowna Morningside Rotary Does it Again!2024-02-12T12:00:08-08:00
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