Category Archives: Stories

Blessed are the poor

By Upper Room Mission Chaplain, Dave Bootsma “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” – Jesus Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world. (James 1:27) Two […]

God of the poor

By URM Chaplain Dave Bootsma He who oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker, but whoever is kind to the needy honours God. – Proverbs 14:31 A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling – Psalm 68:5 Who is like you, O LORD? You rescue the poor […]

Fresh idea helps feed community

Vernon, B.C. — Armed with a few reusable grocery bags, Gay hops onto her scooter and makes her daily journey to the Upper Room Mission. The 58-year-old has been accessing the services at the mission for about a year and a half. She eats breakfast, plays cards, chats with friends and waits for the staff […]

VantageOne kindness campaign kicked off at the URM

The smell of freshly cooked sausage and pancakes hangs in the air as the doors of the Upper Room Mission opened for breakfast service Friday. It’s another busy morning at the mission. As has been the tradition for the better part of 40 years, community members filter in from all corners of the city — […]

Grief is the painful side of love

by Josh Winquist A small group of people sit in the Chapel at the Upper Room Mission. They have gathered to pay their final respects to a friend. They share tears and stories. There are laughs, but they are chased away by more tears. The setting is sombre and hauntingly familiar. This scene has played […]

Pixabay

New yoga day program

Building off existing activities like art classes and game days, the Upper Room Mission Society is excited to announce the introduction of yoga to our list of day programs. “Providing our community members with a place to relieve stress and focus on themselves while in a safe environment is a primary focus for the mission,” […]

Together we can make a difference

The Upper Room Mission Society would like to thank the members of our community who attended last night’s town hall in Vernon. “We recognize that there are passionate, caring people on all sides of this discussion and our hope is that this town hall will reignite community pride where it is flickering and facilitate further […]

Ladies’ Pizza Night

IMPORTANT INFORMATION On Wednesday, June 5 the Upper Room Mission Society will be hosting a women’s Bingo and pizza night from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.. Creating a community that provides safety and security for everyone is a goal the Upper Room Mission Society is working to achieve. By teaming up with community partners like Interior […]

The New Executive Director

The Upper Room Mission Society is proud to announce the hiring of a new Executive Director. Assuming the role is Nicole Makohoniuk. Well respected throughout the North Okanagan, Nicole has been an advocate for youth and marginalized people for more than two decades. “I am big on supporting people and accepting people, no matter where […]