What made you decide to engage with Second Step Housing as a board member?

Giving back through the form of service is something our community desperately needs more of. As Vancouver has grown, so has its wealth gap. We have the collective responsibility to support those less fortunate in our community, and Second Step Housing is actively making a difference. I decided to engage because I saw the great work SSH is doing, and wanted to support its efforts.

Do you know someone who is personally affected by our mission and services?

As a father, I’m thankful every day to be able to provide the basic needs that my children depend on to live healthy and happy lives. But I’m poignantly aware that too many in our community suffer from housing insecurity. Those who don’t have their basic needs met naturally miss out on more opportunity. And that is why we need more organizations like SSH.

Why do you continue to support Second Step?

Second Step Housing has a real and quantifiable impact. They provide services that no one else in our community provides, and they do it effectively and with compassion. Serving families and ensuring our children have access to safe and healthy housing is a mission everyone can get behind, and is just simply the right thing to do.

What’s your favorite thing about Second Step Housing?

My favorite thing about SSH is seeing how we’ve grown over the past few years and, in turn, how we’ve been able to further our mission and serve more people in need.

What’s one thing you wish others knew about Second Step?

How efficiently the organization operates, which means that every dollar contributed has that much more of a real and meaningful impact on our community. I’m proud to be part of an organization that makes the most of its funding and that has proven results. We will continue to expand the reach of our support and I encourage those thinking about giving to do so, knowing that it will make a tangible difference in the lives of those we serve.