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 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 Union Gospel Mission, 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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Diana Squires
Director of Programs 778.558.5385 | diana@innerhope.ca Diana has lived in the same East Van apartment since 2006, and just last year she learned how to use the kitchen – as it turns out, cooking is a useful thing! An alumna of Trinity Western University, she has an impressive track record in fundraising, marketing, and administrative leadership. Her management background spans the not-for-profit, corporate, higher education, and performing arts sectors. A passion for social justice runs deep in Diana’s veins – coming on board with Inner Hope was, in her words, the best decision she made in 2016. When she’s not in the office, you’ll often find her on the stage as a singer, actor, and public speaker (though not usually at the same time). She is also the proud Director of Media Relations for Nettle’s Tale, a Vancouver-based swimwear company that empowers women to love their bodies, support local charities, and celebrate our remarkable Canadian landscape. She loves poetry, prayer, photo-walks through Gastown, any kind of dessert, and she’s more likely to sit through an opera than a sports game. |
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Dara Barbour
Development and Human Resource Coordinator dara@innerhope.ca Dara’s heart for Vancouver comes from growing up in an environment where love of others was central and kingdom care was key. She is a Vancouver local with several years of experience working in non-profits around the city in areas of communications’ and administration. Dara has a particular passion for supporting Vancouver’s youth and families. She is thrilled to join the vibrant Inner Hope team. She loves the strong focus on community and is very happy to be part of it. A few of things that Dara enjoys (that are not work-related) are her husband (Ben), her church (First Baptist, Vancouver), all things sweet, coffee, gardening, hiking, camping, and games. |
Support
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Abigail Kelly
Volunteer Coordinator 778.895.HOPE (4673) | abigail@innerhope.ca Abi is passionate about extending mercy and working for justice. She loves to work with and alongside people, equipping and encouraging to allow all people to realize their full God given potential. She loves to be out in nature; whether hiking, spending time on the water or skiing down a mountain, she is in her element. She also loves dogs, because they are the best, and can't wait to hopefully get a puppy soon!! |
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Kayla McDonald
Parent Support Group Facilitator Kayla belongs to the Gitanyow Nation and lives in East Vancouver. She has two children and two bunnies, and really cares about positive social change in the community--particularly by bridging the gap between Indigenous families and social service professionals. She started a monthly meetup group for Inner Hope parents in order to meet their need for regular connection. Kayla knows first-hand that emotional support, especially from peers, is crucial to stability for families. By day, Kayla works at the Ministry of Child & Family Development; on evenings and weekends she loves coming to "The Church House," which is her daughter's nickname for the Inner Hope community space
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DISCIPLESHIP
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Donny Melanson-Gomez was born in the east coast of Canada in Moncton, New Brunswick. At age 2, Donny moved to Toronto. In his youth, Donny moved from low income housing, to low income housing (beginning in Jane & Finch, and ending in Parkdale, Toronto). Donny was an only child, and had no father. His mother Cheryl tried the best she could to raise him. However, at age 13, he ended up in 311 Jarvis St, a juvenile detention center. From this point forward Donny would continue to be incarcerated - spending a good portion of his life locked up or on the street.
At age 27, Donny decided to leave Toronto. With the clothes on his back and a suitcase with the last of his belongings, he jumped on a bus and headed for Vancouver. In this new city, he quickly discovered that travelling thousands of kilometers had not solved the real issues and behaviours that plagued his life for so many years. Donny decided to enter a long-term treatment center. For a year he committed himself to change and growth. For the first time, he was free from drugs, alcohol, crime, abuse, and the street lifestyle. He was learning a new way to live, and how to be responsible! Unfortunately, after 3 years of being free from addiction and street life, Donny relapsed and found himself incarcerated once again. Thankfully, this was for the last time! Here in jail, Donny called on the mighty name of Jesus Christ, and God did not fail him! In his jail cell, God spoke to Donny, saying: “You've wandered around long enough, turn around and follow me! Stop doing circles that lead you-know-where.” So....Donny listened and obeyed. Since this transformation, Donny's whole life has changed! Donny now lives in Vancouver with his wife and 3 amazing children. Donny continues to walk out his faith and encourage those around him to do likewise. We are grateful to have Donny here at Inner Hope Youth Ministries to disciple our youth, and young adults. We look forward to the fruitful years ahead as Donny and his family partners with us. |
LIFE SKILLS
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Mark Ang
Boundless Coordinator 778.882.LIFE (5433) | mark@innerhope.ca Born and raised 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 House Respite. 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 Redstone Reserve, where he taught P.E.. 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 missionary 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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Francis and Georgia
House Parents 778.798.HOME (4663) | francis@innerhope.ca | georgia@innerhope.ca Francis is from Kenya, while Georgia is from Uganda. They met in 1998 at Church in Nairobi through a mutual friend. They have one biological son, Timothy, and many “children”. Georgia moved to Vancouver in the Fall of 2017 to pursue her Master of Arts in Theological Studies at Regent College. Before coming to Regent, Georgia was a stay-at-home mom and was involved in various ministries, including Sharing of Ministries Abroad (SOMA) – UK. Georgia loves travel, photography, volunteering and missions. Francis completed his undergraduate training in Theology at the Africa International University in Nairobi, Kenya, and has an MBA in Strategic Management from the University of Nairobi, Kenya. With more than 15 years’ experience in ministry, his passion is to see people grow in their knowledge of, and relationship with Jesus Christ, and to discover and pursue their God-given calling. Georgia and Francis have previously hosted many young people in their home, and felt called to do the same with the young people that Inner Hope serves. They consider it an honour to do the work of the Lord with Inner Hope. |
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Nicole Brindle
Respite Support Worker nicole@innerhope.ca Nicole was one of Inner Hope's first Boundless Youth Mentors in 2010 and nearly a decade later finds herself back at Inner Hope. She is a quality youth worker with incredible experience working with young people and their families all over East Vancouver. She is currently completing her Bachelor's Degree in Child and Youth Counselling and hopes to pursue a career in education. Nicole lives with eleven other people, six of whom are children, and none of whom share her DNA. She is an annoyingly proud godmother who will show off pictures of her godson any chance she can get. She enjoys escape rooms, tea out of ceramic mugs, and as a child she asked Santa for snow every Christmas. People have described Nicole as someone who would make a "brilliant lawyer but a terrible judge". Nicole is sweet, kind, and gentle but don't let that fool you, she is tough and resilient. At the end of the day Nicole is the real deal and considers it pure joy to be a part of the Inner Hope community. |
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John and Jenn Johnstone
Cultural Mentors John and Jenn serve as Multiply's Ambassador to First Peoples in Western Canada. In this role, John and Jenn seek to bring reconciliation between First Peoples and the Church through education, prayer and the facilitation of bridge-building encounters. John and Jenn are currently engaging with several different nations within BC, with urban Indigenous communities, and with youth in Vancouver. |