“Promise is like a bright shining light in the Downtown Eastside.”
– Promise Parent
“Promise is like a bright shining light in the Downtown Eastside.”
– Promise Parent
You’ve probably heard it from us before: we believe that every child is valuable and loved. By building meaningful relationships and delivering intentional programming, we help children and youth to internalize this truth deep within their souls.
Knowing that you matter (yes, you included!) goes a long way in feeling a sense of security. That security sets a strong foundation for both overcoming personal trauma and caring well for other people.
When a student is ready for it, we empower them with opportunities to lead and take on responsibilities. We equip them with training, mentorship, and supportive teammates to help them thrive here at Promise and beyond.
High schoolers have the opportunity to become Young Leaders. In this role, they build valuable employment skills, make a meaningful and noticeable impact on their younger peers, and earn money.
In the long run, these children and youth will inspire flourishing within their own circles, creating cycles of healing, growth, and compassion in their families and friend groups; in their schools, workplaces and cultural communities; and here in the Downtown Eastside community.
You’ve probably heard it from us before: we believe that every child is valuable and loved. By building meaningful relationships and delivering intentional programming, we help children and youth to internalize this truth deep within their souls.
Knowing that you matter (yes, you included!) goes a long way in feeling a sense of security. That security sets a strong foundation for both overcoming personal trauma and caring well for other people.
When a student is ready for it, we empower them with opportunities to lead and take on responsibilities. We equip them with training, mentorship, and supportive teammates to help them thrive here at Promise and beyond.
High schoolers have the opportunity to become Young Leaders. In this role, they build valuable employment skills, make a meaningful and noticeable impact on their younger peers, and earn money.
In the long run, these children and youth will inspire flourishing within their own circles, creating cycles of healing, growth, and compassion in their families and friend groups; in their schools, workplaces and cultural communities; and here in the Downtown Eastside community.
Making Room for More. We were thrilled to have even more kids and youth from our target populations join us this year. We’ve been working hard to build stronger connections with Vancouver’s urban Indigenous communities, thanks to our partnerships with ACCESS and our local school’s Indigenous Education Worker. To accommodate more participants, we’ve expanded our program capacity to allow for up to 40 kids in each summer camp, 20 in each after-school program day, and 16 in our Young Leaders Program.
Preparing for the Future. Approaching five years in the Oppenheimer neighbourhood of the Downtown Eastside, we’ve grown beyond our “startup” phase. In 2022, we had the pleasure of supporting 68 different families, and we are dedicated to continuing to serve this community for many more years to come. This year, we made important investments to ensure our long-term success. We welcomed a new team member, improved our financial and organizational systems, and worked together to come up with new and innovative ideas.
Becoming Trauma-Informed. We’re working hard to become “trauma-informed” to better support kids who have experienced Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) in the Downtown Eastside. We’ve started by making sure all our program staff (including Young Leaders) receive training in understanding complex trauma. We’ve also consulted with experts for advice, and we’ve made changes to our programs to make them even better for kids who have experienced ACEs. We believe that every child deserves a safe and supportive environment, and we’re doing our best to provide that.
Measuring Our Impact. Are we really making a difference here? is a hard yet essential question for every social impact organization to ask. More than ever before, we’ve started mapping our target outcomes and tracking our progress. And we’re happy to say that our early observations – both qualitative and quantitative – have shown that we’re making a meaningful impact on our target population. For example, after just three months on the job, 100% of our Young Leaders were able to identify an area where they had improved. We’re incredibly proud of them and everything they’re accomplishing!
Partnering for Progress. We know that we can’t do this alone. That’s why we’re so grateful for our community partners – they’re essential to our work! In 2022, we spent a lot of time connecting with new Promise Partners and securing new grants to help support our mission. We also dialogued with new strategic advisors and worked closely with others who share our commitment to helping children in the Downtown Eastside. These new partnerships, as well as our existing ones, have helped us to better understand the needs of this community and our role in meeting them.
Click headings to expand ⤢
Making Room for More. We were thrilled to have even more kids and youth from our target populations join us this year. We’ve been working hard to build stronger connections with Vancouver’s urban Indigenous communities, thanks to our partnerships with ACCESS and our local school’s Indigenous Education Worker. To accommodate more participants, we’ve expanded our program capacity to allow for up to 40 kids in each summer camp, 20 in each after-school program day, and 16 in our Young Leaders Program.
Preparing for the Future. Approaching five years in the Oppenheimer neighbourhood of the Downtown Eastside, we’ve grown beyond our “startup” phase. In 2022, we had the pleasure of supporting 68 different families, and we are dedicated to continuing to serve this community for many more years to come. This year, we made important investments to ensure our long-term success. We welcomed a new team member, improved our financial and organizational systems, and worked together to come up with new and innovative ideas.
Becoming Trauma-Informed. We’re working hard to become “trauma-informed” to better support kids who have experienced Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) in the Downtown Eastside. We’ve started by making sure all our program staff (including Young Leaders) receive training in understanding complex trauma. We’ve also consulted with experts for advice, and we’ve made changes to our programs to make them even better for kids who have experienced ACEs. We believe that every child deserves a safe and supportive environment, and we’re doing our best to provide that.
Measuring Our Impact. Are we really making a difference here? is a hard yet essential question for every social impact organization to ask. More than ever before, we’ve started mapping our target outcomes and tracking our progress. And we’re happy to say that our early observations – both qualitative and quantitative – have shown that we’re making a meaningful impact on our target population. For example, after just three months on the job, 100% of our Young Leaders were able to identify an area where they had improved. We’re incredibly proud of them and everything they’re accomplishing!
Partnering for Progress. We know that we can’t do this alone. That’s why we’re so grateful for our community partners – they’re essential to our work! In 2022, we spent a lot of time connecting with new Promise Partners and securing new grants to help support our mission. We also dialogued with new strategic advisors and worked closely with others who share our commitment to helping children in the Downtown Eastside. These new partnerships, as well as our existing ones, have helped us to better understand the needs of this community and our role in meeting them.
Out-of-School Programs
Caring for kids in the Downtown Eastside in a safe, welcoming place with year-round Out-of-School Programs and Summer Camps.
Reflection
“In 2022 we built new partnerships, relationships and connections within the community, said goodbye to our beloved Mr. G and hello to our new Mr. Logan, incorporated new trauma-informed approaches, and grew in numbers!
Overall it was a year full of growth & filled with sweet moments with the kiddos. We are always learning how to improve and run things to meet the kids’ needs & it’s beautiful to see how there is positive change happening!”
Olivia Stephen
Elementary Program Manager
Young Leaders Program
Empowering youth in the Downtown Eastside to make a meaningful impact, earn money, and build valuable life skills.
Reflection
“2022 was full of new Young Leaders, refining our approach to youth development, and a new program manager: me! Our youth nights were focused on team building and empowerment as leaders. We capped off the year with an epic lake cabin retreat!
In our upcoming Friday sessions, I’m excited to dive deeper into what it means to lead oneself. That includes topics like personal financial management, living purposefully, and advanced conversation skills, to name a few.”
Logan van de Poll
Youth Program Manager
Testimonial
“
Thank you very much for supporting our students in providing after-school daycare. There are limited spaces of after-school care in our community here. The students have enjoyed their time there with the amazing supportive staff. The students look forward to going there and have been happier. I would strongly support this program to continue. It builds friendships and a safe place to go and a sense of community.
Donna Lokhorst
Indigenous Education Worker
Lord Strathcona Elementary
Testimonial
“
Thank you very much for supporting our students in providing after-school daycare. There are limited spaces of after-school care in our community here. The students have enjoyed their time there with the amazing supportive staff. The students look forward to going there and have been happier. I would strongly support this program to continue. It builds friendships and a safe place to go and a sense of community.
Donna Lokhorst
Indigenous Education Worker
Lord Strathcona Elementary
“We wanted to show our commitment in supporting Promise on a year around basis and be more intentional in our giving both financially and through our prayers.”
John L.
On average, each Promise Partner gives monthly
$87.19
A 2021 Pennsylvania study found that every dollar invested in after-school programs delivers
+$6.69
in potential benefits to society.
Program Expense Breakdown
“We wanted to show our commitment in supporting Promise on a year around basis and be more intentional in our giving both financially and through our prayers.”
John L.
On average, each Promise Partner gives monthly
$87.19
A 2021 Pennsylvania study found that every dollar invested in after-school programs delivers
+$6.69
in potential benefits to society.
Promise’s impact in 2022 was made possible by the generosity of the following partners
+ many more individuals and organizations!
Testimonial
“
At Promise, I feel that I have the chance to help the kids love and believe in themselves more. This can look like encouraging kind actions, supporting them during activities, and pointing out things they’re good at. I’m grateful to have this opportunity to lift kids up because what older mentors have said to me stuck with me.
Young Leader
Thank you to every staff member, Young Leader, volunteer, and director who was part of the Promise family in 2022! Each of these individuals – along with each of the kids and their families – have played their own unique role in making Promise a loving, supportive community.
Active Year-Round Staff
Daniel Breedveld
Marketing & Communications
Linda Kowalenko
Administration
Ricky Lee
Executive Director
Olivia Stephen
Elementary Programs
Logan van de Poll
Youth Programs
ALL 2022 Staff
Bold = Active Underlined = Summer Staff Italics = Young Leader
Micah Baek
Daniel Breedveld
Rian B.
Crystal C.
Charlie C.
Edward D.
Jonah D.
Jael E.
Zoe E.
Graeme Fowler
Liam Fowler
Chantal Gallant
Jade G.
Aidan H.
Nathan H.
Maya J.
Gabriella K.
Sophie K.
Linda Kowalenko
Reya L.
Ricky Lee
Henry M.
Elijah O.
Eva O.
Kaia O.
Éliane R.
Maddelyn Renstad
Alliyah S.
Olivia Stephen
Silas S.
Jocelyn T.
Aydan T.
Logan van de Poll
Kali W.
Dominic W.
Noah W.
2022 Board of Directors
Daniel deRegt
Ruth Fluevog
Drew Kowalenko (Chair)
Phillip Lee
Helga Schmidtke
Neil Singh
Thank you to every staff member, Young Leader, volunteer, and director who was part of the Promise family in 2022! Each of these individuals – along with each of the kids and their families – have played their own unique role in making Promise a loving, supportive community.
Active Year-Round Staff
Daniel Breedveld
Marketing & Communications
Linda Kowalenko
Administration
Ricky Lee
Executive Director
Olivia Stephen
Elementary Programs
Logan van de Poll
Youth Programs
All 2022 Staff
Bold = Active Underlined = Summer Staff Italics = Young Leader
Micah Baek
Daniel Breedveld
Rian B.
Crystal C.
Charlie C.
Edward D.
Jonah D.
Jael E.
Zoe E.
Graeme Fowler
Liam Fowler
Chantal Gallant
Jade G.
Aidan H.
Nathan H.
Maya J.
Gabriella K.
Sophie K.
Linda Kowalenko
Reya L.
Ricky Lee
Henry M.
Elijah O.
Eva O.
Kaia O.
Éliane R.
Maddelyn Renstad
Alliyah S.
Olivia Stephen
Silas S.
Jocelyn T.
Aydan T.
Logan van de Poll
Kali W.
Dominic W.
Noah W.
2022 Board of Directors
Daniel deRegt
Ruth Fluevog
Drew Kowalenko (Chair)
Phillip Lee
Helga Schmidtke
Neil Singh
We’d love to hear your feedback!
