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 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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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 director of a Christian non-profit ministry that walked 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 (on Maternity Leave until June 2021)
Communications and Fundraising 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 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 church (First Baptist, Vancouver), all things sweet, coffee, gardening, hiking, camping, and games. |
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Nicole Hildebrand-Edgar
Communications and Fundraising Coordinator (Temporary) nicoleh@innerhope.ca Nicole is a linguistics PhD student whose research focuses on the linguistic side of social inequality. Her love for storytelling and heart for community building and social justice is what drew her to the communications role at Inner Hope. When she's not working or studying, Nicole spends her time doing just about anything outdoors, taking improv classes, cooking overly complicated meals, and hunting for Vancouver's best dumplings. |
Support
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Priscila Vargas
Human Resources and Volunteer Coordinator 778.895.HOPE (4673) | priscila@innerhope.ca Priscila 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. |
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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 – especially in The Home. |
LIFE SKILLS
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Mark Ang
Youth and Community Program Manager 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 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 Redstone Reserve, 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 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 Awando and Georgia Omwa
House Parents 778.798.HOME (4663) | francis@innerhope.ca | georgia@innerhope.ca Francis is from Kenya and Georgia is from Uganda. They met in 1998 at Church in Nairobi through a mutual friend. They have one biological son, Timothy, and many other “children”. 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. 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 their God-given calling. |
Discipleship
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Nate Hartley
Discipleship Coordinator; Respite Support Worker nate.hartley@innerhope.ca Nate was born and raised in North Vancouver. He completed a B.A. in Biblical Studies from Trinity Western University, and is currently working on both a Master in Divinity from Regent College and a Diploma in Presbyterian Studies from Vancouver School of Theology. For the past seven years, he has worked in various positions in youth, camp, and church ministry. After being introduced to Inner Hope through Mark, he joined us as a Boundless mentor, and did two stints as a summer intern in 2018 and 2020. When he manages to find some spare time, he enjoys cooking, playing guitar, camping, talking philosophy, and being an uncle. |