THE HOUSE (COMMUNITY SPACE & MAIN OFFICE)
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Jenny Shantz
Executive Director 604.767.1357 | jenny@innerhope.ca Jenny caught a heart for inner-city youth as a teenager. While earning her B.A. at Trinity Western University, Jenny developed youth programs at New Beginnings Church, as well as a student volunteer team called Youth Extreme. After working as a full-time youth worker and seeing kids fall through the cracks of the education system, she returned to university to earn her teaching degree. Since 2003, she has developed East-Siders, an afterschool program at UGM, taught for two years in Driftpile (a Cree community in Northern Alberta), and taught in the Surrey School District. As the Executive Director of Inner Hope, Jenny enjoys the challenge of organizational development as well as spending time mentoring youth. She loves to read, play tennis, visit with family and friends, and cheer youth on at their sports games. |
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Amy Baarda
Director of Programs 778.558.5385 | amy@innerhope.ca Amy joined the Inner Hope team in the fall of 2020. Amy has a BA in Social Development Studies from the University of Waterloo. She served for 8 years as the program director of Ramoth House, walking alongside vulnerable young mothers and their babies as they made significant life changes. Before coming to Inner Hope, she spent 2 years in church ministry encouraging and equipping people of all ages to dig deeper into faith and their community. She cares deeply for people and loves listening to their stories, and it brings joy to her heart to see them dream and reach their goals. Amy enjoys strong coffee, a good book, and all things related to flowers. If you can't find her, it probably means she's in a garden or visiting a greenhouse to refresh her soul. |
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Dara Barbour
Communications and Fundraising Coordinator dara@innerhope.ca Dara is a Vancouver local with over ten years of experience working with non-profits in the areas of fundraising, communications and administration. She has a particular passion for supporting Vancouver’s youth and families. She is thrilled to be a part of the vibrant Inner Hope team - she loves the strong focus on community. A few of Dara's favourite things are her husband (Ben), her daughter (Eileen), all things sweet, coffee, gardening, hiking, camping, and games. |
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Priscila Vargas
Human Resources and Volunteer Coordinator 778.895.HOPE (4673) | priscila@innerhope.ca Priscila is a member of the Quechua Nation. She knew that she wanted to work for people from a very young age. She started visiting children at the children’s hospital in La Paz Bolivia when she was 15 and has been either teaching, counselling or walking side by side with vulnerable populations ever since. She has an undergrad in Psychology and hopes to continue with further studies in order to prepare herself to help others in a deeper and more effective way. She has a heart for women and girls and believes that they should be able to understand their worth and change the world with their own unique ideas and characteristics. She is also a musician, and has made it her goal to inspire and uplift with the music she writes. Priscila loves cult classic movies, listening to music while being on the bus, going swimming with her baby boy, and having brunch with her husband. |
Support
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John and Jenn Johnstone
Cultural Mentors John and Jenn Johnstone live in Langley with their three children. John is Stó:lō from Leq'a:mel First Nation and is a 60's scoop survivor. As a couple, they are passionate about growing in the culture, participating in ceremonies and learning the hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓ (Halkomelem) language. John is the Indigenous liaison with the missions agency Multiply. Jenn (also with Multiply) has years of experience navigating cross-cultural relationships. John and Jenn serve on the board of the Lower Fraser Valley Aboriginal Society and seek to bring reconciliation between First Peoples and the Church through education, prayer, and the facilitation of bridge-building encounters. They are enhancing cultural engagement at Inner Hope. |
LIFE SKILLS
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Mark Ang
Youth and Community Program Manager 778.882.LIFE (5433) | mark@innerhope.ca As a First Nations community member (with roots in Sandy Bay, Manitoba) who grew up in Vancouver, Mark had deep connections in our community before Inner Hope was established. Since day one, Inner Hope has been a home base for him: he's lived in The Home, volunteered, interned, and worked as Respite Support. He has seen firsthand how relationships through Inner Hope can impact and transform lives. Mark earned his B.A. at Trinity Western University, and, after getting married, moved up to Tŝideldel First Nation (Redstone), part of the Tsilhqot'in Nation, where he taught Phys. Ed. He has since made a home in Vancouver with his wife and two children, and has been an invested community member with Reality Church. Mark is thrilled to be in a leadership capacity, and to continue his relationships with community members at Inner Hope. When he's not at work, Mark enjoys playing softball and spending time with his family, including family trips to Science World and Costco (for hot dogs). |
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Samantha Gardham-Hers
Post-Secondary Coordinator 778.680.POST (7678) | samantha@innerhope.ca Sam grew up in Ontario and moved to Surrey, BC, for Bible College, spending her summers filing different roles at Keats Camps. Sam spent 7 months in Thailand doing service work. She then returned to a very busy few months where she completed her B.A. in Church Ministries, majoring in Intercultural Studies, and married Jonathan Hers. Sam and Jonathan arrived in Vancouver with a love for the city and quickly became a part of Every Nation Vancouver's Church family. Sam comes to us with a wealth of experience from her position as Program Director at Keats Camps and is excited for the opportunity to focus on relationships in the Post-Secondary Program. She enjoys learning, exploring, good talks, good laughs, and good movies. |
HOUSING (THE HOME)
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Christian Okeke & Debby Chuwku
House Parents 778.798.HOME (4663) | christian@innerhope.ca | debby@innerhope.ca Chris has Master of Arts in Theological Studies from Regent College and is pursuing a professional program in Addiction Counseling. He has a strong passion for youth and being actively involved in providing them with guidance, care and support. He has been in active ministry for over 20 years. Before joining Inner Hope, he worked with Teen Challenge at Ontario Men’s Centre, where he supported individuals in their recovery from addiction, and inspired them to live a life transformed. Chris is from Nigeria. He enjoys reading, music, sports, artwork, and nature. Debby has a Masters in Health Education from Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka. She worked as a public health educator and a fashion designer in Nigeria before joining Inner Hope. She is a worship minister and had been engaged in youth ministry in Nigeria for over 12 years. Debby enjoys music, volleyball, nature, and fashion. |
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Viviann Daza
Housing Support Worker viviann@innerhope.ca Over the past four years, Vivi has discovered a passion for working with students as a volunteer with Every Nation Campus. Through this experience, she has found fulfillment in helping others navigate and succeed by providing them with the necessary tools, guidance, and support. Her love of travel and exploration has also allowed her to immerse herself in various cultures. She had the opportunity to train and live with families of diverse nationalities, care for children, and serve Latin American indigenous kids as part of a church community food bank program. These experiences also provided her with the opportunity to form and train international teams interested in overseas missionary work. Vivi's upbringing as a pastor's child in the Foursquare Church has also played a role in shaping her passions and values. In her free time, Vivi enjoys a variety of activities, including outdoor activities, long walks, pilates, dance, music, art, and even watching sports, despite not necessarily being an expert in the field. |