Society of Hope Blog

Preceding spring, Capstone has broken through and is now visible above the horizon!  It will continue to grow up up up - nine floors before completion.  What you can no longer see is the two story parkade below ground...  Also making an appearance in this photo is our crane - long becoming a familiar site to our Apple Valley residents, guests and staff.  With the  nearby Mission Creek tree-line in the background, Capstone is sure to be a desired location for those looking to find housing in the central Okanagan.

After two years navigating COVID 19 pandemic and restrictions, business excellence was celebrated with the Thompson Okanagan Grant Thornton LLP Business Excellence Awards.  There were 18 different categories honored by business owners, managers and leaders gathered for an evening of networking and reflecting.

"Celebrating the Best of the Best of Business in the Thompson Okanagan"

Coast Capri Hotel, Kelowna, June 16, 2022

This was an opportunity to honor the best of the best, and their performance over the last two years!    A wide variety of sectors were represented - highlighting what "can be and is being done in our region."  Check out all the winners at www.businessexaminer.ca  Categories in such areas as Automotive, Green, Health Care, Entrepreneur, Financial, Food & Beverage, Hospitality & Tourism, Manufacturing, Non Profit, Professional, Real Estate, Retail, Technology, Trades, Small Business, and Wineries, and of course, Construction & Development, were recognized.   Congratulations to the Society of Hope for winning the Business of the Year for Construction & Development award!

The Society of Hope is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Ken Zeitner to the position of Executive Director effective May 28, 2022. Ken will take over from Luke Stack who is retiring from the role after serving as Executive Director since the inception of the Society in 1989.

Ken has served in various positions with the organization over the years and is currently the Chief Financial Officer.

Ken was responsible for the design and implementation of numerous innovative administrative and operational systems which proved essential to the Society's capacity to build and operate increasing numbers of affordable housing units in the region. Ken's contributions over the years have been a key factor in the Society being recognized with multiple community awards, including the Kelowna Chamber of Commerce, Business Excellence Award for Community Impact and the BC Non-Profit Housing Association's Housing Provider of the Year Award. 

The Society's Board of Directors looks forward to working with Ken and the entire Society of Hope team as we continue to provide qualify affordable housing in the communities of the Central Okanagan.

Luke Stack, The Society  of Hope's Executive Director, has tendered his resignation effective May 27, 2022.  He has served this organization for 33 years.

The Society wishes Luke success, and thanks him for his dedication to help fulfill the Society's mission to provide quality affordable housing.  "It is my belief that this is the right time to do this," said Stack, saying that he is leaving the organization in very good hands, with a skilled Board and staff members to carry the Society forward.  Luke will be spending more time with family and friends, and continue to serve on Kelowna City Council. 

The earliest concepts of the Society of Hope began in the late 1980s. Luke and his wife Anne were two of the initial founders in 1989. Luke was also one of the founding members of the BC Non Profit Housing Association (BCHPHA), representing the Okanagan.

Seeing the need for affordable rental housing in the Okanagan Valley, the Society has constructed or acquired over 700 rental homes from Peachland to Lake Country. In fact, the Society of Hope is now the largest non-profit housing provider in the Interior of B.C. More than a hundred more apartments and townhomes are scheduled for completion in the next 24-36 months, and another 75+ units sometime after that.

Luke will be missed by many, and he says he will miss his office, his early morning coffee, and staff meetings! But he won't be far... He says he will continue to oversee the development and completion of Capstone and Pleasantvale 2. He won't officially decide until summer whether he will seek another 4 year term with the City. One thing is for certain, Luke has not tired of serving our community!

Friday, Jan 28, 2022 was "Sod Turning Day" for the Society of Hope's newest project – Capstone. The brief ceremony featured 3 speakers: The Society's Board President, Philip Lambert, Mayor Colin Basran, and BC Housing/Province of BC representative: Kelly Miller – Associate Vice President of Operations for BC Housing. Luke Stack, The Society's Executive Director, officiated.

The Capstone project began in 1996 with donation of a large piece of land by Gordon & Helen Ziglar. The purpose of this donation was to have "Active living and housing for seniors." This land was eventually sold, (Landmark square) and a 9 acre farm owned by Lloyd & Nan Petitt was purchased.   2175 Benvoulin Road is the current location of the Capstone property; spread out between Benvoulin Road, Benvoulin Court, and Mayer Road. This will be the biggest project The Society has built. This building will have 9 stories, and include 122 suites. The mix of one and two bedroom units will provide rental housing for moderate to low income individuals, small families, seniors and people with disabilities.

This project is made possible through a partnership between the Government of British Columbia, the National Society of Hope, the City of Kelowna, and the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation. The City of Kelowna has provided at $300,000.00 grant as well as a ten year tax reduction for this project." As well, "70% of the units in this building will have rents set at 30% of a person's income. This means these units will be truly affordable."

Scuka Construction is the builder, and we can look forward to the Grand Opening in about 2 yrs.

"It has taken 26 years to get to this Capstone Sod Turning today."

Thank you London Drugs Stocking Stuffers For Seniors!

Our very own local London Drugs has a great and timely gift program for seniors.

The Stocking Stuffers for Seniors campaign began in 2015, with one store location providing help for 500 inner city seniors. The campaign quickly caught on, growing in 2016 to multiple store locations helping more than 2,000 seniors in their communities. In 2017, Stocking Stuffers for Seniors went chain wide across all stores, in all locations. In fact, London Drugs delivered donated gifts to more than 10,000 seniors! In 2021, London Drugs is excited to once again offer the Stocking Stuffers for Seniors campaign chain wide, for the fourth year in a row.

"The effects of isolation and loneliness have been significant during the pandemic and we want our seniors to know we care, and we are thinking of them. For the fifth year in a row, Stocking Stuffers for Seniors partners with local care homes and charities with a mission to bring more holiday cheer to seniors, in all the communities we serve."

Donated items don't need to be purchased from a London Drugs store — any new, non-gift wrapped item is accepted from Friday, November 12 – Wednesday, December 8^th.

Simply purchase or bring new, non-gift wrapped items, along with the gift tag, to the store's Customer Service Counter by the delivery date. You are even welcome to include a personalized Christmas Card with your gift..

Upon visiting a London Drugs store, head over to the store's Christmas Tree for a Stocking Stuffers for Seniors gift tag. Each tag contains a wish list from a local senior, or a general "wish list" from a participating local care home or charitable partner organization.

London Drugs has developed a "desired item list" (e.g. toothpaste, shaving cream, socks, mittens, blankets, cookies) with the care home managers, and use generic tags for those items so that all residents benefit equally from the donated gifts.

Customers can visit London Drugs and pick up a holiday wish list tag from the Christmas tree.  Simply provide the gift to the store which we will be distributed to the seniors.

Many Society of Hope seniors have benefitted from this program over the last two years. This year 91 Hope Tenants will be gifted at some of our Rutland and Lake Country sites.  Thank you London Drugs for this excellent seasonal program!

Thursday mornings in the Ziglar Rec Centre are filled with the smells of savory soup simmering and the clamoring of chopping and chatter.  Our resource coordinator and many Tenant Volunteers are busy preparing big bowls of homemade seasonal soups for Metro Community.  Metro has a drop in courtyard/café, and is located at 1262 St. Paul St.  They offer a 'safe place to come and have your basic needs met.'  What a great way for community to help community.  Volunteers from our tenant community prepare enough food for 100 meals – once every 2nd week.  Some bring ingredients, some bring recipes, and some bring the laughs and the helping hands required for such a task.

Castanet.net posted the following story earlier this week.  

If all goes well, the Society of Hope envisions breaking ground on Pleasantvale 2 in the spring or summer of next year.

On Monday, the Central Okanagan housing society officially distributed plans for the project to city hall.

This is the first major step for the proposed development since the non-profit society was selected by BC Housing to construct Pleasantvale 2 earlier this year.

The proposal before the city includes 27 two and three bedroom family townhomes and 48 one and two bedroom units for seniors within a four-story apartment.

It will front Cambridge and Central avenues and Kingsway in Kelowna's north end, next to the first Pleasantvale project.

"I'm really pleased with the look of the new building, I'm really pleased with the look of the new townhomes," said Society of Hope executive director Luke Stack.

"I think it's going to be a great addition to that neighborhood.  I think there was a little concern in the neighborhood of what it might be, but when it was presented as apartments for seniors and townhomes for families, they all sort of went, all good."

Stack says the design differs a bit from the first Pleasantvale project. He says they tried to model the design somewhat after world renowned American architect Frank Lloyd Wright.

More public consultations are expected to take place in September before the rezoning application comes before council, possibly as early as the fall.

PineWood Villas has a new Pergola - thanks to our hard working Maintenance Team.  Thank you Elijah, Kevin, Rick, Aaron and Andre for giving the tenants at this site some much needed shade for the summer.  Comfortable, accessible outdoor spaces are a priority for Okanagan Living!

Need to get out of the heat wave?  Care for a nice refreshing game of Pool?  Thanks to a very generous fellow we'll call "Bill," as well as our volunteers, The Ziglar Recreation Centre has secured a 'gently used', new to us, 'Brunswick Heirloom' Pool table!   Thank you, Bill, for this timely and fun donation!  As seen in the background, this table has found its new home in our Games Room, and tenants have wasted no time jumping in to play!   Especially take notice the fringed pockets - bringing style and a little pizazz to the room!  Apple Valley has also had it's Pool/Snooker Table refurbished recently, thanks to our Resource Manager.  Here, in the foreground, you can see the new re-felted table.      

The Society of Hope has been proud and privileged over the past few years to have taken part in BC Hydro / Fortis BC's Energy Conservation Assistance Program (ECAP), while working alongside It's on Electric and Ecofitt.  These companies manage multiple programs providing clean energy solutions.

Our tenants have reaped the rewards of these Programs having received many energy-efficient products such as LED bulbs, carbon monoxide detectors, showerheads, fridges, furnaces and more. This past month we received several drying racks for tenants who have been participating in the Program.

Drying racks are a wonderful alternative to using a dryer, while also being a whole lot gentler on fabrics.  BC Hydro's website states that dryers can account for up to 12% of your home's energy.  This represents a significant savings to your energy bill.

We wish to recognize BC Hydro, Fortis BC, It's on Electric and Ecofitt, by saying THANK YOU!  Their dedication to providing all these energy savings have contributed to huge savings for The Society of Hope.

Happy New Year!

As this is the time of year many of you like to clean up and de-clutter, let us make recycling less complicated!

First of all - RULE #1!!!!    Plastic bags are NOT accepted in our Recycling Bins!

WHY CAN'T I PUT PLASTIC BAGS IN MY RECYCLING CONTAINER ANYMORE?

Plastic bags cause damage to automated recycling equipment "they get caught in processing machinery. Each time plastic bags become tangled in machinery, the entire plant shuts down and our employees manually climb into equipment and cut out plastic bags.

Additionally, recyclables stuck inside plastic bags are at risk for never making it through the recycling process. Ultimately, plastic bags create a hazard for recycling workers and make recycling plants less efficient, therefore, we can no longer accept plastic bags in recycling.

However, clean and dry plastic bags can be recycled at many local retailers "just not in your home or business recycling container. Visit plasticfilmrecycling.org to find a take-back location near you."

Secondly, The only plastics that can be put into Society of Hope Recycle Bins are: food & beverage bottles, jugs and tubes.

Other things we do NOT want you to put into the recycling bin:

• No GLASS bottles or containers!
• No Food!
• No Liquids!
• No Electronics!
• No Small appliances!
• No Textiles, bedding, rugs, furniture or carpets!
• No Holiday lights, hangers or extension cords!
• No Paper plates, cups, napkins or tissues!
• No Polystyrene Foam (No Styrofoam/foam packing peanuts!)
• No Tires, Auto parts or Scrap Metal!
• No concrete, wood or construction debris!
• No Yard waste or wood!
• No Batteries!

It truly is the season for both giving, and for receiving!  Many of our Senior Tenants are being gifted through the London Drugs "Stocking Stuffers for Seniors" program this year!  Thank you London Drugs for providing this cheerful and amazing seasonal program!  The Society of Hope office was overwhelmed with the generosity of Okanagan Residents who gave generously to many our tenants.  Beautifully wrapped boxes and overflowing bags have arrived, and they are ready to be delivered.

Seniors are giving back as well.  Many hours were spent crafting custom quilts and bags to provide for some of our Short Term moms and moms with children.  The talent and caring is obvious – what a beautiful time of year!

We'd also like to take this time to acknowledge all our volunteers.  So many of you have given your time and efforts to one or more of our sites and activities.    A humble expression of appreciation going out to those who have donated to the Society of Hope as well.  The Society is truly moved by the unbelievable amount of donations our incredible champions have presented to us over this last year.  Thank you!

Thanks to our stylish new glass 3/4 wall, our office is once again open to the public.  We are receiving housing applications, and have incorporated extra sanitizing into our 'new normal.'  Our office is open from Monday - Friday from 9:00 am - 1:00 pm, and from 9:00 am - 4:00 pm on 'rent days.'  (First business day of each month.)  We do not require mask use at this time.  Sanitizer is available upon entering our doors.

As posted recently on Castanet.net   (Edited)

"The provincial government has announced 122 new affordable rental units in Kelowna."

The project at 2175 Benvoulin Road will house seniors and other demographics are being considered as well, in partnership with the National Society of Hope.

20% of the units will be deeply subsidized.

Castanet.net continued with, "The project is being funded by the BC Community Housing Fund, which supports mixed buildings that see 50 per cent of units set aside for incomes up to $64,000 and 30 per cent earmarked for those making up to $74,000 per year."

Rental fees for the building have not been released yet.

'The Community Housing Fund is about just that - community. Through this program, we are working with our partners to build thousands of new homes that are affordable for a mix of people, from growing families to seniors on fixed incomes,' said Selina Robinson, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing.

The rental units in Kelowna are among 540 announced in B.C. on Sunday, with others in the Lower Mainland, Vancouver Island and Northern B.C."

The Society of Hope Maintenance Team has been busy this spring!  As well as pruning and getting the irrigation up and working on all 19 sites, an inviting new Pergola has sprung up in Lake Country!  The Woodsdale Place pathway has been embellished with a fresh and rustic wooden structure in the garden area - and it is ready to be enjoyed.  A stroll through the Pergola sounds lovely this time of year!

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic the Society has closed our office to the public until further notice. Our phone lines will be monitored and we will return calls as we are able. Society staff will meet with tenants by appointment only.  Tenants may call the tenant phone line to book an appointment.

Applications may be dropped through the office mail slot, however, the Society is not processing new housing applications at this time.  Please check back at a later date.

Under the advisement of the Provincial Government Ministry of Health,  All of the Society of Hope Community Centre rooms are closed, including the Ziglar Recreation Centre.  We regret the inconvenience this causes tenants.

The Society of Hope is taking a number of pro-active measures to keep staff and tenants safe: There has been increased cleaning and disinfecting of common entrances, lobbies, surfaces and door handles since March 4, 2020.  This extra cleaning will continue.

All residents are encouraged to wash their hands regularly, sneeze and/or cough into their sleeve, avoid touching their face, and practice social distancing.  Everyone has a role to play to reduce the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Mona Fortier, The Minister of Middle Class Prosperity and Associate Minister of Finance, visited the Apple Valley complex on Monday, March 2^nd. She was here to promote quality of life and affordability.  A variety of topics were discussed,  highlights being earlier pensions, the child tax credit, middle class tax cuts, climate change, and of course, affordable housing.

On January 30th, 2020, the Hon. Selina Robinson, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, toured Providence Boulevard.  This site is the Society of Hope's latest Family Townhome project in Glenmore.  These new homes for working families are the result of a successful partnership between the BC Government, the City of Kelowna, BC Housing, Vanmar Constructors and the Society of Hope.  Families moved into their beautiful new homes in November 2019; All of the homes are now occupied.

 It is always wonderful to receive an MLA acknowledgement.

The Society of Hope, in partnership with the City of Kelowna and BC Housing, is pleased to announce that 21 new family town homes, located at
165 Celano Crescent in Glenmore, will be available late this fall. There are 16 three bedroom units and 5 two bedroom units. These well located units
come with modern features including a dishwasher, space for a washer/dryer and a garage.

To qualify for this housing:

• Applicants must be families with dependent children
• Applicants must have a low to moderate income of $1400 per month and up
• Ideally Applicants will qualify for the Rental Assistance Program (RAP.) The Rental Assistance Program provides eligible low-income working families with cash assistance to help with their monthly rent payments.
• Family configuration must be suitable for 2 & 3 bedroom units.

Placement selection will take place in September and October. Target occupancy will be no later than December 1, 2019. (This to be formally approved by September 15 th , 2019)  Please see the "Apply for housing" tab on the Society of Hope web site.

Kids just want to have fun and Society of Hope's three new playgrounds are providing just that!  It sure has been a fun spring for the children at our two Short Term locations.  With the permanent structures in place, everyone is out enjoying these spaces to the fullest – a great way for the kids to connect in a safe environment.

Volunteers from Black and McDonald assembled one unit in record breaking time with skill and efficiency.  (All in one long morning in June, in fact!)   And the 2 Rons & Frank team assembled the other location with heart and passion.  These valued volunteers understand that the little ones will benefit greatly from their efforts.  Thank you to all!

With this year seeing many updates at Providence Court, it seemed fitting to add a magnificent SwingTime Distributors structure that will stand the test of time. A big shout out to the maintenance department for their support in bringing this to completion.  And thank you for the many donations that help make these playgrounds possible.

As well as building new homes for future residents, the Society of Hope staff keep very busy maintaining the many housing units we already manage. It takes a tremendous amount of effort to maintain the 'quality' in "providing quality, affordable housing."

Here we see two members of our maintenance team working on one of Hope's properties. This year, we are replacing some property signage, as well as working on replacing some exterior stairs. Providence Court received a new playground, and is scheduled to get some new siding in 2019. A kid's grassed-in play area will be added to the Pleasantvale Family Site. We are updating the landscaping both at Providence Vista on the West side, and Providence Court in Glenmore. The Society will be replacing all the sliding patio doors in Cedar and Birch Manor. These are just a few of our bigger projects!

Continual patching, painting, snow shoveling, renovating and cutting the grass or pruning – a great variety of jobs all intended to keep our buildings and grounds in tip top shape.

On Wednesday, March 27, 2019. The Government of Canada's commitment to seniors was addressed by The Honourable Carla Qualtrough.

Ms. Qualtrough is the Minister of Public Service and Procurement and Accessibility, and Member of Parliament for Delta.  She was joined by Mr. Stephen Fuhr, Member of Parliament for Kelowna-Lake Country. Together they spoke into the proposed 2019 Federal budget, as well as a National Dementia Strategy for Seniors.

Vi Sorenson, Executive Director of Seniors Outreach and Resource Centre hosted this event at The Society of Hope's Apple Valley Location, in the Ziglar Recreation Centre for Seniors.

For further information regarding this commitment and investment into Seniors, go to https://www.budget.gc.ca/2019/docs/themes/seniors-aines-en.html

Some factors addressed in this article, that may be of interest to our seniors, are:

• Raising CPP (Canada Pension Plan) benefits
• OAS (Old Age Security)
• GIS (Guaranteed Income Supplement) and the GIS Earnings Exemption
• Allowances and Survival Allowances
• Seniors having a Secure and Dignified Retirement
• Seniors receiving the benefits they are entitled to
• Economic security for low income seniors
• Isolation, Community participation and Quality of life
• Having a Minister of Seniors
• The 10 year National Housing Strategy
• Home and Palliative care
• Enabling Accessibility Fund – making community spaces accessible
• EI Caregiving benefits
• Protecting workplace pensions.

Bottom Line: ​Let's make retirement easier for seniors!​

The Society of Hope recently received a Provincial CFLS (Canadian Forces Liaison Council) Employer Supports Award.  This award is presented every two years, and every Canadian employer is eligible. The award gives Reservists an opportunity to thank and recognise their employers.  As it says in their 'Pacific Connector' Newsletter, "The rewards are intended to recognise the generosity of employers and educators who give the reservists the support and time required for military training and/or deployment."

It was announced on Feb 6, 2019 that the Society of Hope won the "Best Practices in Employer Support – Small Organization" award.  The Headquarters of the 39^th Canadian Brigade Group is the location where the official awards ceremony will be held on February 26^th.  We are honored to sit as winners among so many larger and well known Employers in BC, such as Correctional Services Canada, Costco, and CP Rail.

What to do on a cold, snowy January evening?  Why, go bowling, of course!  Here we see the Society of Hope staff enjoying an invite from the Board of Directors to go Bowling.  Did you know that within the Ziglar Recreation Centre, Apple Valley Senior's site houses a 6 lane, 5 pin bowling alley?  Our Resource Coordinator organized 'Bingo Bowling', a fast paced, all participation, wild and silly bowling game.  Each team takes a lane and gets a bingo card with 25 squares.  Squares may say things like "Strike, spare, head pin only, gutter ball, 10 points, 7 points", etc.  Just pick up a ball and start bowling!  First team to fill every square on their card wins!  BINGO!

It has been a busy and festive season for the Society of Hope.  A great number of our tenants participated in one of our many Christmassy events.  Cedar Court enjoyed seasonal foods at the end of November, followed by Apple Valley's Christmas Mingle on Dec 6th, complete with entertainment and a photo-booth!   A gingerbread house making party was held for the children at our Short Term sites, and goodies were dropped off for our Franklyn Rd. residents.   Woodsdale Place residents in Lake Country were the recipients of some gift baskets, and Providence Meadows enjoyed a party with games and treats.  Pleasantvale enjoyed a banquet style celebration on Dec 13th, and this was closely followed by a holiday meal at our Gordon Drive location on the 20th.   It was wonderful to have so many of our staff and tenants participate.  We greatly appreciate all of the generous donations and helping hands that made these events possible. 

The Society of Hope's 22-year vision of bringing affordable senior's housing to Kelowna has been realized.

To much fanfare, the ribbon was cut on the third phase of Apple Valley, a senior's complex on Benvoulin Court, Thursday morning.

The 47-unit building brings to 199 the number of affordable senior's units in the development.

Society executive director Luke Stack says the vision began with the donation of land in the Landmark Centre area in the late 1990s. The society sold that land, and used the proceeds to purchase what was at the time the Pettit family farm, where Apple Valley now sits.

"It took many, many years to find this site, get it out of the ALR, rezone it, get the roads built. That added quite a few years to the project," said Stack. "But, it turned out to be a great decision because it's so well located now. It's perfect."

Stack says the society is still trying to determine what to do with an additional two acres at the back of the complex.

It's also constructing 21 family townhomes in Glenmore. In all, Stack says the vision is to build another 150 units of affordable housing in Kelowna over the next five years.

Geraldine Barsetti is one of the residents who moved into Apple Valley 3 in October. She said she feels at home, and very safe, and has had no trouble meeting people and making friends.

Total cost of the entire development came in at $38 million, with $15 million of that coming from all three levels of government.