Meet Doris
Doris struggled most of her life with anxiety and depression. She raised five kids on her own, hustling every step of the way without an education, a support system or anyone to rely on.
And when she lost her eldest son to an overdose in 2017, grief threatened to overtake her.
Thankfully, she was able to turn to the staff and her friends at The Kettle to help her get through such a difficult time.
While Doris has felt alone and unsupported most of her life, she had recently come to The Kettle's Drop-In for a cup of coffee and a meal.
What she found was more than she’d bargained for.
Doris remembers what it felt like, wading through her grief and declining mental health with the warmth of The Kettle community surrounding her: “I’ve never received so much support, it means a lot. When you haven’t felt that before, it’s like wow — people really care.”
That cup of coffee turned into a regular routine for Doris. And soon she found herself engaging in weekly activities, accessing counseling services and applying for supportive housing.
Today, Doris is an active, healthy and deeply valued member of The Kettle's community. She has a bright smile, a safe home and she has a growing sense of confidence. “I’ve never felt this good,” she recently told me.
For others without a strong support system, we know that grief, trauma and mental health challenges can have devastating consequences. Over half of the folks who are homeless in Metro Vancouver today identify as struggling with their mental health.
Our team at The Kettle are experts in helping people with living mental illness. For almost 50 years our mission has been to remove barriers, create safe spaces and improve the living conditions of Vancouver’s most vulnerable.
This winter, as living on the streets becomes more dangerous, volatile and inhumane, will you help us welcome more people in from the cold for a cup of coffee and a warm meal?
When we can provide people with basic necessities, it gives them the dignity and comfort they deserve, builds trust, understanding and opens up opportunities for change.
Doris’s life may look very different today if she hadn’t walked through our doors 10 years ago for a cup of coffee.
Thank you for helping us keep our doors open and the coffee brewing.
Make it stand out.
Support more opportunities for belonging and community for folks like Doris when you give to The Kettle this holiday season.
Help for Today. Hope for Tomorrow.
Give to The Kettle.
With your gift of just $5, you can reach out to people like Doris and provide a hot drink and a meal.
$5 feeds one person
$25 feeds five people
$100 feeds 20 people
$250 feeds 50 people
When we can provide people with basic necessities, it gives them the dignity and comfort they deserve, builds trust, understanding and opens up opportunities for change.