From the outside, Mamas for Mamas is modest.

It香蕉视频直播檚 in a storefront in a 香蕉视频直播�70s style strip mall, dwarfed by nearby high-rises that house some of the region香蕉视频直播檚 power companies.

But step inside and it becomes immediately clear there香蕉视频直播檚 something more impressive taking shape than the building香蕉视频直播檚 outer shell portends.

Those inside buzz with an excitement that comes from creating positive change in the world around them.

Shannon Christensen is at the helm of this small army of women. She started Mamas for Mamas in 2014, with a Facebook page aimed at tapping into the sharing economy.

香蕉视频直播淚t was a bit about 香蕉视频直播榣et香蕉视频直播檚 be mamas together,香蕉视频直播櫹憬妒悠抵辈�� she said. 香蕉视频直播淚nstead of selling, let香蕉视频直播檚 give and share what we need.香蕉视频直播�

It was a way forward that had both economic and social payback.

There was less impact on landfills to pass down items that children have done through and it created social ties that local women were looking for.

The need, she said, was demonstrated through the uptake. When she created the page there were 32 members. Within weeks there were 300 on board and by the end of the third month there were 3,000 members. Today Mamas for Mamas Facebook page has 12,000 devotees.

香蕉视频直播淎s it started to grow we realized there was a need,香蕉视频直播� said Christensen, and it extended beyond material items. Once the surface was scratched, women started talking about struggles that were putting them at risk.

香蕉视频直播淢amas were living in poverty in Kelowna and going without because they felt a stigma (associated with) reaching out,香蕉视频直播� she said.

For many, rent accounted for 90 per cent of their income and they didn香蕉视频直播檛 have the ability to make what was left over meet all their needs.

香蕉视频直播淚t wasn香蕉视频直播檛 about not being good enough it was not having enough,香蕉视频直播� she said.

Once Christensen and her army of volunteers learned about the need they started to build a small empire out of her basement and two storage containers.

Then, this May, they made a leap. The moved into the building with green floor and purple walls 香蕉视频直播� efficient, but not that inviting.

香蕉视频直播淲e wanted to make it comforting,香蕉视频直播� said Christensen.

To do that they turned to Jillian Harris, the Kelowna based co-host of the home improvement TV show Love it or List It. The local celebrity has been a avid supporter of Mamas and its mission and she immediately rose to the challenge of finding a paint colour, as requested. Then she went full steam ahead with a complete revamp.

香蕉视频直播漇he came in here and went, 香蕉视频直播榦h girls, we have so much work to do香蕉视频直播� ,香蕉视频直播櫹憬妒悠抵辈�� said Christiansen. 香蕉视频直播淪he dipped her toe in, then jumped in the deep-end in about three days. It香蕉视频直播檚 been surreal.香蕉视频直播�

Now in what she calls a 香蕉视频直播渟pace of hope香蕉视频直播� Christensen and her team can provide mental health counselling, at risk comprehensive intakes香蕉视频直播攚here they can access housing, health and safety needs 香蕉视频直播� or simply provide warm gloves to those who need to stretch their budget.

The icing on the cake is that Harris wading in created a groundswell of support to meet the latter needs with stores offering up a significant supply of high-quality, new goods for both children and mothers.

香蕉视频直播淭his started in my garage and three storage units and a van, so the fact we香蕉视频直播檙e in a 4,800 square feet space that has been renovated by Sticks and Stones and Jillian Harris 香蕉视频直播� and that isn香蕉视频直播檛 just functional, it香蕉视频直播檚 beautiful, filled with new goods that we get to give to mamas to improve their quality of life without breaking the bank,香蕉视频直播� said Christensen. 香蕉视频直播淚t香蕉视频直播檚 going to make me cry.香蕉视频直播�

The more slick appearance of the operation isn香蕉视频直播檛 going to sway Christensen from her starting point. The 20,000-plus items donated every month will still be shared among those who need it.

It香蕉视频直播檚 just that more was needed and Christensen and her team weren香蕉视频直播檛 willing to throw up their hands in despair when the needs started to make themselves known.

香蕉视频直播淲e don香蕉视频直播檛 believe in helplessless,香蕉视频直播� she said. 香蕉视频直播淲here there香蕉视频直播檚 a mama there香蕉视频直播檚 a way.香蕉视频直播�

It香蕉视频直播檚 a philosophy that keeps former clients returning.

Carly Banks once tapped into Mamas for Mamas network when she was in need and now she香蕉视频直播檚 poised to become one of the pillars of support so many women in the city need.

香蕉视频直播淚 felt like I didn香蕉视频直播檛 have a place in the world香蕉视频直播攐ther than the place to be a mom香蕉视频直播攁nd it felt a bit stifling,香蕉视频直播� she said, describing what brought her in.

The network she found was a step toward strengthening her reserves.

Similarly, Tanya Jahntz has found cause to move forward with the help of Christensen and now is a regular presence at Mamas for Mamas, helping those in need.

She lost both of her parents to cancer, and shortly after found herself to be homeless.

香蕉视频直播淐hristensen gave me a position at Mamas to help build my self confidence again,香蕉视频直播� she said.

And, from the way she held herself, and the ease in which she deals with those who walked through the door, it香蕉视频直播檚 clear that Jahntz has found that confidence.

Christensen wants to keep passing that on and since becoming a registered charity in January, she can apply for grants that will keep the community she香蕉视频直播檚 built alive and thriving.

The model is so successful that it香蕉视频直播檚 spreading. What started as ahas now caught on south of the border and across Canada, with 30 chapters sharing the name.

Christensen said that it香蕉视频直播檚 not so much overwhelming, as invigorating.

To report a typo, email: edit@kelownacapnews.com.

kmichaels@kelownacapnews.com
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