family

Dreams Really Do Come True

KCR2024-11-18T08:47:39-08:00

Oh Hello … Dorothee here! As you know, I usually like to share stories of people in our community but today I am going to share my KCR story, the “full circle moment” of how my dream of building a family led to my dream job and how, through my job, I now get to implement my long-held dream of creating a volunteer Community Crew that KCR Community Resources, with funding from our amazing partners at the Prospera Foundation, will launch this summer.

Growing up in a close, large family, I always knew that I wanted kids and yet, by the time I was in my late 30s, that still hadn’t happened. It was time to take matters into my own hands and I contacted the Adoption Centre of British Columbia (ACBC). My world personally and professionally has changed dramatically because of this. The team at ACBC were so incredible to work with. Encouraging, caring and authentic only begin the list of positive adjectives I can use to describe the team. I will forever be grateful for their support in helping me build my dream of a family through the adoption of my (yikes!) now 18-year-old son Zhen.

My adoption journey then led to being connected to KCR as an organization that I trusted and whose values strongly aligned with my own. An agency that has the community at its heart, was exactly what I believed in and where I wanted to share my skills and expertise. I joined the fantastic team as a contract project coordinator for the Immigrant Services and Community Services departments while also producing community festivals and events. In 2019 I was fortunate to join the KCR team full-time in my current role, leading the Community Services team and the amazing things we get to do. My job combines all of my loves: strengthening and empowering volunteers, non-profit organizations and the people that work in this sector. I also have the honour of working on social equity initiatives that focus on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) and making our society, work spaces and community more welcoming and just.

As someone who has spent many years volunteering myself (and yes admittedly, often volun-telling my family and friends too) I firmly believe in the intrinsic value of volunteering. When we give of ourselves, we receive immense value in return. As a volunteer manager, recruiting, training and working with volunteers is also a joy and I value the gift volunteers share in building community. It’s a win-win.

Producing festivals and community events, having a corps group of volunteers that come and help year after year, makes a world of difference. Of course, not everyone can return each year, but having key roles undertaken by volunteers who are already trained, vetted, trusted and skilled, is a huge boon, for the organizers, the volunteers and the community. Making it the perfect win-win-win scenario.

My dream for many years has been to create a Community Crew that can serve this purpose – be frontline volunteers that can be deployed to help at community events and festivals and enhance the experience of attendees, organizers and other volunteers. And at the same time, create a team of volunteers that get to work together, sharing the opportunity to build community and be a part of the excitement and life that festivals and events bring.

Thanks to the Prospera Foundation and their belief in volunteerism and community, we are able to launch the KCR Community Crew. Are you interested in being a part of this new project? Check out our listing on the VolunteerConnector.org or contact Wendy Williams, the Volunteer Centre Coordinator, at wendyw@kcr.ca. Are you coordinating an event and want to engage the Community Crew? Also contact Wendy.

And yes, if you are wondering, we are approaching the creation of this Crew with a DEI lens, fully inviting the rich diversity of people in our community to be a part of this team. We want you and we need you! Come, build community with us.

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.