Justice, Housing, and Community Support Across the Okanagan & Kootenay.
Working Together for Safe, Healthy, andInclusive Communities.
For more than 60 years, the John Howard Society of Okanagan and Kootenay has walked alongside people facing real challenges. We help individuals find stability through housing, justice services, education, community inclusion, and connection. Our work is rooted in a simple belief. When people have support, dignity, and a place to belong, entire communities grow stronger.
Our Vision
A safe, healthy and inclusive community for all.
Our Mission
We work to strengthen communities by supporting people with a collective voice on social and criminal justice issues.
Our History
For more than six decades, JHS Okanagan and Kootenay has supported individuals navigating housing, justice, and community barriers. What began as a small local effort has grown into a regional network built on compassion, respect, and community partnership.
Today, we continue that work with the same belief that guided our beginning. People can grow. Communities can change. And when we support each other, everyone moves forward.
Our Culture – Values
Our values reflect the heart of our organization. They guide how we make decisions, how we support people, and how we strengthen community connections across our region.
The People We Serve
Well-Work & Empowered Clients
Culture Statement: preserve the dignity and self-worth of the people we serve through knowing that they can learn, grow, and acquire skills.
The People Who Work Here
Exceptional Investment in Employee Development
Culture Statement: creating opportunities and investing in our employees is the best for clients, outcomes, and employee engagement and retention.
We value and believe in creating opportunities to learn and grow by providing development opportunities and investing in their future; and mentorship and leadership that develops confidence and strength.
Accountable Leadership
Culture Statement: in a V.U.C.A. (Volatile, Uncertain, Complex, Ambiguous) nonprofit world, we need high performing leaders who can inspire employees, operationalize program goals, and think flexibly and strategically.
We believe that accountable leadership is essential to organizational excellence.
The Programs We Deliver
Cutting Edge Programs & Innovation
Culture Statement: Innovation is Transformative.
Cutting-Edge Programs are realized in organizations that value innovation and get transformative results for the people we serve.
The Way We Execute the Work
Relationships & Collaboration
Culture Statement: the JHSOK mission is a noble pursuit and is realizable through the trust, exchange of ideas, and humility that comes with strong relationships and collaborative work.
Strong relationships create solutions, promote best practices, and ensure mutual benefit for our community, our organization, and the people we serve.
Board of Directors
The John Howard Society of Okanagan and Kootenay is shaped by people who believe deeply in community. Our Board brings experience from health, education, government, construction, and social justice. They help us stay grounded in our mission, plan responsibly, and ensure our work reflects the needs of our region.
Mary Butterfield
Chair
Mary is a senior advisor with the federal government and brings a strong background in education, research, and public policy. Her previous work at UBC Okanagan included research facilitation, advising, and teaching at both undergraduate and graduate levels. Mary holds a PhD in Philosophy from Vanderbilt University, with research centred on inclusion in Canadian democracy. Her community involvement includes serving on the boards of the Kelowna Art Gallery and the Central Okanagan Foundation. Her leadership is guided by her dedication to social justice, reconciliation, and poverty reduction.
Ben Caron
Treasurer
Ben is the Senior Project Manager for a major local developer, where he oversees multi-family residential construction. He brings deep experience in planning, construction, and project management, with a strong focus on housing and community development. Ben has always been passionate about outreach and community action. He is committed to supporting social housing initiatives that help more people find safe and stable places to live.
Pam Moore
Board Member
Pam’s career has centred on building healthier communities. She worked as an Environmental Health Officer and later as a Healthy Community Specialist with Interior Health. After retiring, she joined the Journey Home Task Force and continues to serve on several provincial committees focused on community health. Pam also sits on the Community Advisory Committee for the regional Correctional Service of Canada. Her work reflects a long-standing commitment to safe, healthy, and connected communities.
Bonar Buffam
Board Member
Bonar is an Associate Professor of Sociology at UBC Okanagan. He teaches courses on the social dimensions of crime, law, culture, and religion, and his research explores histories of racism and inequality in British Columbia. Bonar has served on multiple university committees and currently acts as Associate Head for the Department of History and Sociology. His leadership experience helps guide long-term planning and strengthen community-focused work across the region.
Marion Barschel
Board Member
Marion retired in 2020 after 40 years in the media, spanning print, television and radio in Saskatchewan and then British Columbia. She spent the last 25 of those years with CBC Radio, hosting and then producing the morning current affairs show for BC’s Southern Interior. During that time her interest in social justice issues grew as she did interviews and stories about people and issues throughout the region. She looks forward to joining the JHSOK board. She has held volunteer board positions with the Okanagan Xeriscape Association and the Across the Lake Swim Society.
Leadership
Our leadership team brings experience from housing, mental health, justice, community development, and social service fields. More importantly, they bring compassion, local knowledge, and a belief that every person deserves dignity and a fair chance to move forward.
Patricia Bacon
Chief Executive Officer
Focused on leadership and collaboration to deliver high-quality programs with excellence to the Okanagan’s most vulnerable.Patricia Bacon joined the John Howard Society of Okanagan & Kootenay in August 2020. Previously, as the Executive Director for Blood Ties Four Directions Centre in Whitehorse Yukon from 2005 to 2019, Patricia brought innovative programs in harm reduction, health, social justice and housing to vulnerable Yukoners.Patricia’s work at the national level includes the Board of Directors for CATIE, and previously: the Canadian Drug Policy Coalition; the Canadian AIDS Society; and Chair of Action Hepatitis Canada, a national coalition of organizations committed to working towards the elimination of viral hepatitis from 2013 – 2018.Patricia is a sociable person who enjoys spending time with her family and friends, hiking with her partner Chris, and is a novice wine aficionado with her completion of the WSET Level 2.
Amanda Barrett
Senior Director of Housing Services
Supports housing program teams in Kelowna and helps strengthen service delivery from a person-centred approach.Amanda Barrett joined JHSOK in May 2008. As a Registered Social Worker, Amanda’s passion is to enhance human well-being and help meet the basic and complex needs of all people with a particular focus on those who are vulnerable.Amanda enjoys travelling, reading, and spending quality time with her family and friends.
Matthew Smith
Director of Community Living Services
Matthew Smith joined JHSOK in March 2020. Matt has a passion and dedication for Community Living and the people that the programs serve. He brings over 20 years of experience in leadership roles and studied at Mount Royal University in Calgary finishing with education in Sports Administration.While not at work Matt can be found outside, depending on the season on the trails skiing, hiking or cycling. Matt also enjoys travels and continues to explore other countries and cultures.
Michelle LaBoucane
Board Member
Michelle joined JHSOK in 2014. She has been involved in Restorative Justice Practices since 1997. Michelle was trained in Peace and Talking Circles through School District #60 and in 2010, became the Executive Director of the North Peace Justice Society. Michelle moved to Kelowna in 2014 and joined JHSOK. Michelle furthered her education by becoming a Community Justice Facilitator Trainer for the RCMP, a Victim/Offender Conferencing Facilitator and is continually expanding her knowledge in community-based processes.Michelle finds working with individuals that are involved in the justice and legal system fulfilling and helping individuals achieve their goals is the most rewarding.In her time off, Michelle enjoys being with her dog Holly as they bike or walk around the Okanagan.
Hailee Rogers
Director of Housing Services – People & Culture
Hailee Rogers joined JHSOK in May 2016. Hailee completed her Bachelor’s degree with a major in Psychology from the University of Victoria before starting with JHSOK. Hailee comes from a long line of social service workers, and she knew from a young age that this was the career field she wanted to work in. Hailee recently completed her second Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work.Hailee also enjoys Kelowna summers bike riding, paddle boarding, and hiking. During the winter Hailee spends time watching documentaries and crime dramas.
Steve DeLuca
Director of Housing Placements
Steve De Luca joined JHSOK in 2015. Formerly as a Forensic Outreach Worker, Steve has a passion for working alongside those who struggle with mental illness, substance misuse and those involved in the criminal justice system. In 2022 Steve moved into the Housing Services Director of Placements role. Prior to JHSOK, Steve was a Program manager with an organization on the lower mainland that provided residential rehabilitation services to those with acquired brain injuries, spent two years teaching English as second language in South Korea, and grew up and studied in Ontario.When Steve is not supporting his teams and participants he is kept busy caring for his family.
How We Work
Transparency builds trust, and trust strengthens community. We keep these resources open because annual reports highlight our programs, outcomes, and financial stewardship, showing how our work supports people across the region.
Join a Team That Makes Community Stronger
Joining our staff team means working with people who care deeply about community. Our workplace is warm, collaborative, and grounded in respect. Staff come from many backgrounds and bring their own strengths to the work.
Your Time Can Change Someone’s Path Forward
Volunteers make an enormous difference. Whether you enjoy conversation, mentorship, outdoor work, or community connection, there is a place for you here. Your time can help someone feel valued and ready to move forward.
Funders
We are fortunate to have a strong and diverse range of individuals, organizations, governments, and other stakeholders supporting the work of The John Howard Society of Okanagan & Kootenay. It is recognized that we must work together to create safe, healthy and inclusive communities, and we are thankful to work in partnership with our funders to provide innovative, effective, and sustainable programming that meets the needs of the people we serve.
For more details on our funding and the funding of the John Howard Societies across BC, please refer to the financial statements in our reports and publications section of our website.