Share Your Spirit

Be part of the magic this holiday season.
Give, sponsor a family, or build a backpack for an individual experiencing homelessness.
Together, we can change lives.

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A Day to Give. A Chance to Change Lives

Thank you for making the 2025 Have a Heart Radiothon a success!

Because of you, we surpassed our goal and raised over $50,000 in support of women, youth, and children on their journey to safety, healing, and hope.

Your generosity, matched by our amazing donor, helped fund life-changing programs for survivors of violence and abuse.

Together, we made change happen. Thank you.

Donate Today

A Day to Give. A Chance to Change Lives

The Have a Heart Radiothon is back — and so is the opportunity to make a real difference. Join us in supporting women, youth, and children on their journey to safety, healing, and hope.
 

Donate now and double your impact!
The first $15,000 in donations will be matched dollar-for-dollar by an anonymous donor.

Every gift brings us closer to our $50,000 goal and helps fund vital programs for survivors of violence and abuse.

Together, we can make change happen.

Donate Today

Help SOWINS win $10,000 in The Great Canadian Giving Challenge. Every donation we receive in June will give us 1 entry for their grand prize draw!

This is your chance to stand against violence and abuse in our community and create a positive difference for those who need it most.

Donate today & help us create lasting change.

Donate Today

For 45 years, SOWINS has provided shelter, safety, and support to women, youth, and children affected by abuse and violence. We help individuals recognize, understand, and overcome the impacts of abuse while giving them the tools and guidance to build a safer future.

Safety starts here.
Together, we can change lives. 

Donate 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

A community without violence and abuse.

our mission

To provide safe, accessible, person-centred support and preventative interventions to individuals who have experienced or are at risk of experiencing  violence and abuse. SOWINS also provides community education to strengthen the safety net for our community.

45 Years of Impact

1970s – A Movement Takes Root

As second wave feminism gained momentum across Canada, women in Penticton recognized that violence against women was real and urgent. A dedicated group came together, determined to create safe spaces for women and children fleeing abuse, and adopted the name Women in Need to reflect their vision.

A Promise Made Official
South Okanagan Women in Need Society was formally incorporated, transforming collective concern into a lasting commitment to support women and children fleeing violence.
Safety Could Not Wait
Before a building existed, the community stepped in. Volunteers opened their homes and drove women to safety, proving that protection begins with people willing to act.
The First Safe Door Opens
SOWINS opened its first eight bed Transition House in a rented home furnished through community donations and operated by volunteers committed to providing safety and support.
Stability Through Support
SOWINS received its first Ministry funding, giving SOWINS the stability needed to strengthen services and ensure that women and children could rely on a safe place when they needed it most.
A Home With Roots
SOWINS purchased a duplex and established a permanent Transition House with increased capacity. This created long-term stability for women and children in the South Okanagan.
Healing Beyond Shelter
As awareness of violence grew nationwide, SOWINS expanded services to include victim support, counselling for children, and outreach for women rebuilding their lives beyond shelter walls.
No One Turned Away
SOWINS widened its mandate to welcome women facing mental health and substance use challenges, affirming that safety must be inclusive and grounded in compassion.
Strength Through Community
In a time of shrinking social funding, SOWINS turned to community support, launching a thrift store, WINGS, and new programs to sustain services and deepen local engagement.
Dignity in Design
The purchase of a new Transition House created family suites and private spaces that reflected a growing understanding that safety includes dignity, privacy, and stability.
Meeting Change With Care
As gender diversity, homelessness, and substance use shaped community realities, SOWINS adopted harm reduction and integrated care to meet people where they were.
Accredited for Excellence
SOWINS earned Imagine Canada Accreditation, reflecting strong governance, accountability, and community trust. This recognition affirmed SOWINS' high standards of support.
Expanding Housing Options
Second-stage housing, long-term apartments, and specialized programs were introduced, creating more pathways to safety and independence for women and children in the South Okanagan.
Steady Through Crisis
Through COVID-19 and the ongoing overdose crisis, SOWINS remained an essential service. Housing and supports were expanded to protect the most vulnerable during challenging times.
45 Years of Impact
After 45 years, SOWINS continues to provide safe housing, healing programs, and essential support. With multiple sites and more than 60 dedicated staff, the organization remains committed to building safety, dignity, and opportunity. You can join this work by learning more about how SOWINS supports women and children in our region.
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Thursday, March 5, 1981

help end violence in our community

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our impact last year

20,000

Distributed more than 20,000 life savings supplies

2,000

Answered more than 2,000 crisis calls

1,255

Counselling sessions held for women and children

1,638

More than 1,638 overnight stays for children

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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Cindy

Growing up in Penticton holds very special memories so it seemed natural to bring her family back here to experience some of that magic.
Over the last 25 years, Cindy has enjoyed a fulfilling career in home improvement and design as well as donating her time with charity projects through-out the community.

Closest to her heart is spending as much time as possible with family and friends entertaining, camping, bike riding and most of all, traveling. “Sharing in the ways other people celebrate their cultures with music, food and story telling enriches one’s perspective on life.”

Cindy joined SOWINS in 2024 as part of the 1st INSPIRING HOPE Design team.

Kristi

Kristi is a leader in the utilities and infrastructure sector, with hands-on experience delivering complex capital programs from engineering design through project management. She leads a dedicated team of program and construction managers, fostering a culture centered on safety, quality, and genuine community impact. Known for her collaborative and people-focused style, Kristi is passionate about growing strong teams and creating environments where individuals thrive.
Kristi brings to the SOWINS board strong operational insight, experience in governance and risk management, and a commitment to supporting vulnerable women and families. She is proud to contribute to an organization that plays such a vital role in the South Okanagan community.

Marvin

I relocated from Saskatchewan to Vancouver in 1987 and spent the next 30 years building and operating several small businesses—including launching my own financial management services company. Over the years, I’ve worked with startups, well-established retail operations, and consulting firms, providing full-service bookkeeping, accounting, and financial oversight.

Between 2015 and 2016, my stepson played hockey in Penticton, which gave my wife and me the opportunity to visit the area frequently. We quickly fell in love with the community and made the decision to purchase a home here in 2019—a choice that’s become one of our very best.

Beyond my professional endeavors, I have a longstanding commitment to community service. I have been actively involved in organizing and volunteering at squash events, fostering sportsmanship and community engagement. Additionally, I have successfully led fundraising initiatives for various health charities, demonstrating my dedication to supporting vital causes and making a positive impact.

I’m excited to join the SOWINS finance committee and contribute my skills to support the organization’s critical work in the Penticton community.

Lorraine

After spending 25 years in Saskatchewan and 25 years in Alberta, Lorraine has decided to make Penticton her forever home. And what a beautiful place to be.

Lorraine brings 30+ years of office administration and financial understanding to the Board including Director of Finance at 2 not-for-profit organizations. After serving on several boards, she brings financial insight, board development, and special project management.

She is honoured to bring her unique experiences and abilities collaborating with others for a community without violence and abuse.

Anne

Anne is a retired leader in community services, having served as the Director of Parks, Culture and Community Services and before that Manager of Social Services for the District of West Vancouver, as well as Executive Director for Parkgate Community Services Society. She also has experience working in community based roles in Calgary and Melbourne, Australia. She has extensive experience in board governance, building community partnerships and collaborating with government and non-profit organizations. Anne currently serves on the Board of the North Shore Neighbourhood House. After spending over 30 summers here with her family, she and her husband moved permanently to Penticton two years ago. Anne enjoys spending quality time with family and friends, hiking, biking and all water sports, and continuing to help make a positive impact in her community. Anne looks forward to contributing her experience to support SOWINS vision of a community without abuse or violence.

Rick – Director of Finance

Rick oversees the accounting and financial operations of the organization.
He is a CPA with extensive work experience in banking, construction, environmental services, and non-profit organizations.
Rick was also on the Board of Directors for several years with two non-profit organizations when he resided in the lower mainland.
You can reach Rick at rick.k@sowins.com or 250-493-4366 extension 112.

Erica – Director of Community Based Programs and Services

Erica has had various roles in SOWINS since 2000. Her passion for supporting children led to her working with families and children in the transition house and then to working as a PEACE Counsellor. Erica began to work in the Stopping the Violence program as a coordinator and counsellor. She then stepped into the role of Director of Continuous Improvement supporting staff to work from a trauma informed lens. Today, Erica is in the role Director of Community Based Programs and Services.
Erica can be reached at erica.mp@sowins.com or 250-493-4366 extension 104.

Jessica

Jessica is a Senior Financial Planner at RBC and has been helping families and entrepreneurs reach their goals for over eight years. She specializes in business succession planning and estate planning. She has a passion for helping people achieve their goals and while sitting on the board of SOWINS she hopes to help women in need do so as well. She is excited to bring her skillset to the table alongside other inspiring women to help those in need!

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.

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.

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.

Sydney Bell

Sydney

Sydney moved to Penticton in 2022 and is delighted to be living in the beautiful Okanagan Valley with her husband and two dogs, Nigel and Penelope. Sydney is a prairie girl, having been born and raised in Saskatchewan. After living recently in Ontario for a few years she is glad to be back in Western Canada. A registered social worker, Sydney has contributed to the communities she has lived in through her work as a community developer, program manager and various volunteer roles. She also provides counselling support to individuals through an online psychotherapy practice.

Sydney has a long history volunteering and working with organizations that support vulnerable women and families and is thrilled to contribute to the good work of SOWINS in her new community as a volunteer board member.

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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.

Liz – Executive Director

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. Today, Liz is in the role of Executive Director for the organization.

Liz can be reached at liz.g@sowins.com or 250-493-4366 extension 120.

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.

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

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