Doris is a a member of the Namgis Nation, a mother, a friend, an
outdoorswoman and a long-time member of The Kettle.
Meet Doris!
Doris and her boyfriend first came to The Kettle for a cup of coffee. Soon, coffee turned into lunch and Doris started getting more and more involved. From starting a job on the street cleaning team to joining the annual camping trip, now 8 years later – Doris has become a well loved regular here at The Kettle.
Having grown up without a support system, Doris struggled to advocate for herself and found it challenging to seek help due to her challenges with literacy. She describes becoming a member at The Kettle as a whole new chapter of her life. When she lost her son to an overdose in 2017, she turned to the staff and programming to help her grieve and get through a difficult period of time. “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”.
As part of the street cleaning team, Doris works through the supported employment program to help tidy the streets around the Grandview-Woodland community. The role not only gives her purpose, it keeps her active and connected to her community. “It makes me feel really good to be doing something else – it’s better than not knowing what to do”.
Doris describes her upbringing as being very challenging and explains that her life has had a lot of negativity but The Kettle is a positive place. Here, she has somewhere to be and things to do that help her on a daily basis.
Her favorite memory at The Kettle? Doris looks forward to the annual camping trip, a change of scenery and adventure – “It’s life changing – just to get out of the city for a few days. I remember last time we went and saw a bear. It was amazing!”
Doris can be a little shy at first but her family here at The Kettle knows that the room brightens up with her laughter.