Walk to End Abuse

Join us on Sunday, June 5th, 2022 as we walk to provide them with the hope, strength, and belief they need to find safety, heal, and start new beginnings.
Together, we can change lives.

Register today

We provide shelter, safety, and support by helping individuals recognise, understand, and overcome the impacts of abuse and violence.
Together, we can change lives.

Donate Today

our vision

All individuals have the ability to make choices to live a safe and healthy life.

our mission

Supporting individuals in their recovery from the impact of violence and abuse while working to prevent violence and abuse in our communities.

help end violence in our community

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our impact last year

7,500

Provided more than 7,500 bed stays

2,050

Answered more than 2,050 crisis calls

20%

Increase in referrals to our Transition House

1,000

More than 1,000 women and children could not be sheltered

Stories

This is the story of Bonnie…
a story of hope, strength, and belief

I was at the top of a mountain in my pyjamas covered in bruises, tears flowing down my face as I clenched my newborn baby tight.

He disabled the car and started yelling, telling me he was going to jump and end it all now! He had it, he firmly had it….

the control. I agreed to everything, everything he wanted from me. I could not have any friends, cannot talk to my family, stay home. He wanted control and isolation.

This is an example of just one of many scary, life-threatening situations Bonnie endured in her 2.5-year relationship with a man she met when she was a mere child at only 16 years old.

>>READ MORE

1 in 3

women will experience abuse in their lifetime

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Debbie

Debbie is a real estate broker, recently relocated from Alberta and  currently working in property management in Penticton who has an extensive background in financial planning as well as governance.  She held municipal elected government council office for 8 years as well as many volunteer board positions for community organizations.  Debbie is proud to be working  with the SOWINS board on the critically important work they do for the community.  

Danielle Goulden – Executive Director

With over 20 years of experience working within the non-profit and academic sectors, Goulden is able to draw from multiple disciplines and professional experience to lead SOWINS into its next chapter of sustainable growth to meet the growing needs in the South Okanagan. Goulden believes that a fundamental component of any non-profit organization’s philosophy is to continuously strive for excellence through effective partnerships, collaboration, planning, and action.

To chat with Danielle, you can contact her at execdirector@sowins.com or 250-493-4366 extension 101

Danielle – Executive Director

With over 20 years of experience working within the non-profit and academic sectors, Danielle is able to draw from multiple disciplines and professional experience to lead SOWINS into its next chapter of sustainable growth to meet the growing needs in the South Okanagan. Danielle believes that a fundamental component of any non-profit organization’s philosophy is to continuously strive for excellence through effective partnerships, collaboration, planning, and action.

To chat with Danielle, you can contact her at execdirector@sowins.com or 250-493-4366 extension 101

Sharon – Director of Strategy and Operations

With a BA in Administrative Studies Sharon enjoyed providing administrative support to SOWINS since 1993 and is proud to be a part of the client services that SOWINS provides.

Sharon can be reached at sharon@sowins.com or 250-493-4366 extension 116

Korina – Director of Human Resources

Korina joined SOWINS in 2020 as our Director of Human Resources and brings with her over 15 years experience navigating collective agreements, policy, and legislation in municipal government. She is passionate about supporting the organizational greatest asset, its people!

You can contact Korina at hra@sowins.com or 250-493-4366 extension 110.

Liz – Director of Community Programs and Services

For over 28 years, Liz has been employed with SOWINS in various roles.  Her first 22 years were spent as a Family Support Worker and PEACE Counsellor and later moved into the Housing Coordinator role.  In 2021, Liz stepped into the newly created Director of Community Based Programs and Services, overseeing the numerous support services SOWINS provides to families in the South Okanagan.

For more information on our Community Based Programs and Services, you can contact Liz at liz.g@sowins.com or 250-493-4366 extension 120.

Irene – Manager, Residential Services

Irene started with SOWINS in 2003 as a Practicum student and it did not take long for her to be hired as a Women’s Support Worker in 2004.

For the past 6 years, Irene has been Manager of the Transition House and take pride in providing client centered support.

To connect with Irene, you can email her at TH.manager@sowins.com or call 250-809-6563.

Marni – Fund Development Advisor

Marni has been fundraising and raising awareness for community charities for more than 20 years. She manages all SOWINS fundraising initiatives, marketing, and media!

Reach out to Marni with any questions you may have about donations, sponsorships, fundraising events, media, and marketing at fundraising@sowins.com or by phone at 250-488-1268

Susie

Susie has been working in the design and marketing field for the past 15 yrs, operating her own studio, with a strong passion for women-owned and small business. She is currently also on a planning committee for an attainable housing project in Summerland. Susie is honoured to help support SOWINS, and the invaluable work they do for women and families in our communities.

Kayla

Kayla is a CPA based out of the BDO Penticton office and has over 8 years of experience providing audit and accounting services to a range of organizations including municipal governments and not-for-profit organizations. She also has extensive experience volunteering with another organization that supports women through education and women’s issues are a top priority for her. She is very excited to be able to serve her community through the important work that SOWINS does in South Okanagan.

Sharon – Secretary
Sharon has been in business for 35 years. She has a Family Studies degree and an MBA. Over the years, Sharon’s commitment to her community has included the Penticton Rotary, the Penticton Chamber Board, and the Penticton Economic Development Committee. She is now retired and looking forward to supporting SOWINS with the critical work they do in the South Okanagan.

Kerri

As a communications professional with a business development background, Kerri enjoys bringing people together. Through her work in media and promotions, Kerri strives to provide innovative solutions and make meaningful connections for people and businesses. She looks forward to promoting and supporting all the great work that SOWINS does.

Amelia

Amelia is a lawyer whose pro bono work frequently entails working with women experiencing domestic violence, and homelessness. Amelia is pleased to sit on the Board of SOWINS to work for this wonderful organization with its important work helping women in our community.

Katie

Katie grew up in Toronto, and moved to Penticton in 2011 to pursue a career in winemaking after earning her B.Sc in Biology from McMaster University. Katie has been the head winemaker at Serendipity Winery since 2017, where she also plays a key role in the day to day operations of the company. Katie has always been an advocate for women in the wine industry, and she is excited to bring her passion and experience to the SOWINS board

Liz
Working in organizations to address community needs, program development and teaching are the threads that run through Liz’s work and volunteer life. She has worked in community recreation, employment readiness and fire prevention education. Her skills lead her into the fire service where she worked with children, youth and adults in fire prevention initiatives in Penticton and Indigenous Communities throughout BC. Liz is pleased to be a member of the SOWINS Board and looks forward to being a part of a team that actively supports healthy families and communities.

Brenda

Indigenous Tourism Association BC – Chair, Tourism Industry Association of British
Columbia – Board Member, Coalition of BC Tourism & Hospitality Businesses
As a member of the Osoyoos Indian Band, Brenda graduated as a Registered Nurse specializing in Indigenous health with a focus on community development, and worked with the Osoyoos Indian Band in the area of community health. Brenda is honoured and humbled to have been awarded the Order of BC in 2021 for her work in Indigenous Tourism.

Pam

Pam is a semi-retired human resources professional recently relocated from Vancouver to Naramata. Pam has enjoyed an eclectic career spanning 30 years, working in a wide range of industries in senior leadership roles. A self-professed “life-long learner”, Pam is a graduate from Simon Fraser University (SFU) with a bachelor’s degree in Political Science and also has certificates in Legal Office Procedures and Investigations & Enforcement. A strong believer in supporting the community in which she lives and works in, Pam has been an active volunteer for several local charities and non-profit organizations in Vancouver including the BCSPCA where she was the Membership Chair for the Vancouver & Burnaby Community Council. She looks forward to supporting her new local community and is honoured to be a member of the SOWINS board.

Danielle Goulden – Executive Director

With over 20 years of experience working within the non-profit and academic sectors, Goulden is able to draw from multiple disciplines and professional experience to lead SOWINS into its next chapter of sustainable growth to meet the growing needs in the South Okanagan. Goulden believes that a fundamental component of any non-profit organization’s philosophy is to continuously strive for excellence through effective partnerships, collaboration, planning, and action.

To chat with Danielle, you can contact her at execdirector@sowins.com or 250-493-4366 extension 101