We’re thrilled to have our stories featured in media outlets across the lower mainland, and even beyond!
The best way to help homeless seniors is to make sure they never lose their homes in the first place.
By Jenny Konkin and Virginia Holden
September 2026
“The Times Colonist’s recent story on seniors facing homelessness is hard to read, and it should be. It describes older adults with nowhere to go, few options and a system that often meets them only after a crisis has occurred.
But it also raises another question: What if we put more focus on preventing that crisis in the first place?
We tend to ask where seniors should go once they have lost their homes. For many vulnerable seniors, a better question is how we help them keep the homes they already have.
Homelessness rarely happens all at once. A missed medical appointment. A benefit form that never gets filled out. Living expenses that outpace a fixed income. A phone scam that drains a small savings account. A change in health. Weeks of eating poorly because getting groceries has become difficult.
On their own, these may be manageable problems. Together, with no one noticing, they can become the reason a senior ends up in hospital, enters long-term care earlier than necessary or loses their housing altogether.
Many of these crises can be prevented if someone is there to notice.”
Honouring the veterans who have bravely transitioned out of homelessness into healthy community at Whole Way House in the Downtown Eastside of Vancouver.
CBC News Vancouver: BC Housing cuts Program funding, leaving Metro Vancouver Seniors at risk.
CBC NEWS Vancouver aired May 4th 2025.
CBC British Columbia: Vancouver police investigating assault, death of 92-year-old senior
Apr 10, 2025
Vancouver police are investigating the death of a senior who was found injured in a Downtown Eastside alley last month. As Pinki Wong reports, police say the victim was assaulted prior to his death, and are investigating whether the two are connected.
Devastating funding cuts - CBC’s Stephen Quinn interviews President Jenny Konkin
WWH’s President Jenny Konkin is interviewed by Stephen Quinn on CBC Radio regarding funding cuts to the seniors enhanced independent living program.
Global News: Province stops funding for charity that support low income seniors
More than $400,000 of funding will no longer be available for the Whole Way House after the provincial government cut funding for the non-profit. As Angela Jung reports, the charity is left scrambling for support.
GLOBAL NEWS: Vancouver police take safety message to Downtown Eastside seniors
GLOBAL NEWS April 4, 2025
A group of seniors living on the Downtown Eastside are being taught techniques on staying safe by members of the Vancouver Police Department. Catherine Urquhart reports.
Global News- Previously Homeless Vet Says There's Help For The Others Here
Whole Way House has supported Cameron for the last 4.5 years at the Veterans Manor in the DTES of Vancouver, after being homeless for 24 years. Cameron has struggled with PTSD after his time in the military, which led to his struggles with addiction and homelessness. We are proud to support Cameron and other veterans like him and welcome him into a healthy community and safe and secure housing.
Whole Way House has supported Cameron for the last 4.5 years at the Veterans Manor in the DTES of Vancouver, after being homeless for 24 years. Cameron has struggled with PTSD after his time in the military, which led to his struggles with addiction and homelessness. We are proud to support Cameron and other veterans like him and welcome him into a healthy community and safe and secure housing.
Whole Way House hosted a Whitecaps Soccer day with kids from The Orchard. Whole Way House/ Contributed to Surrey Now-Leader
Whole Way House hosted a Whitecaps Soccer day with kids from The Orchard. Whole Way House/ Contributed to Surrey Now-Leader
Whole Way House staff hosted an Easter event for tenants at the Orchard. Whole Way House/ Contributed to Surrey Now-Leader
Jerine, his wife and daughter Clara live at the Orchard. Jerine told staff the place feels like a community. Whole Way House/ Contributed to Surrey Now-Leader
From housing to community: How a Surrey project is changing lives
There is a real sense of community at Union Gospel Mission’s affordable housing complex, The Orchard, in Guildford.
The 75-unit complex has become more than just a place for families to find a safe home — it’s become a place where they know their neighbours and look out for one another, thanks to a partnership between UGM and Whole Way House.
Whole Way House is a Vancouver non-profit started by siblings Jenny and Josh Conkin in 2013 while they were managing their grandparents’ single-room occupancy (SRO) building in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside.
They saw that many of their tenants struggled to meet their basic needs. So, they decided to start Whole Way House to address what they thought were their greatest needs: food, clothing and employment.
“What we saw was that our tenants were really struggling with isolation and loneliness, and that was often actually what was preventing them from accessing the resources that were available to them,” Conkin said.
“We also really saw that people just were so disconnected and so we wanted to create a feeling of family and community that was a really healthy and safe place for them.”
The non-profit partnered with Quest Food Exchange to host a family dinner for all 85 residents.
“At first nobody was coming, and I was like, what is going on?” Conkin said. “I’m gonna go yell in the hallways and get them to come down for dinner and they had actually started lining up with, like, their own plates, like it was a soup kitchen.”
“I was like, oh. I was like, ‘no, you guys, we’re gonna sit down and we’re gonna eat together,’ and that’s when I really had that realization that they were so isolated. They weren’t used to being in those kind of community environments anymore.”
“It took a little while to build, but from there, we started a games program, we had a morning coffee program, and then they really started to engage and I saw how the atmosphere in our building changed.”
The programs are about “connecting people into healthy community,” Conkin said.
What started as a family dinner for tenants in their SRO has grown into so much more.
Today, Whole Way House partners with seven non-profit housing societies in 11 locations in Vancouver, Burnaby, Victoria, and Surrey. The programs currently support 1,100 low-income seniors, veterans, people with disabilities, families and people in transition with onsite community building programs and tenant support services to build healthy communities in housing, notes wholewayhouse.ca.
A crucial part of the non-profit is partnering with other non-profits so they are not replicating services. One of these non-profits is the Union Gospel Mission (UGM), where Whole Way House operates programs at three of its locations.
Over three years ago staff at the Union Gospel Missions (UGM) approached Whole Way House and asked them if the organization could run programs at The Orchard.
At the Orchard, they started an after-school program for kids living in the complex. Conkin said at the time, staff noticed many of the teenagers in the complex would look on at the programs but would not join themselves, saying they it was for kids and not teenagers.
“So what we did was we started asking the teens if they would want to volunteer, and then that gave them an excuse to come, and so now the teens volunteer,” Conkin said.
These programs also help keep the teens out of trouble. “We really want to create a space where they have a cool place to hang out, where they where they don’t have to get kind of pulled out into maybe different friend groups or different areas where they might be getting into trouble,” Conkin said.
The after-school program is divided into two sections: homework help and focused fun time.
Lauren Brown, the site manager, said that many parents’ first language was not English. “So they didn’t have someone at home that could help them explain their homework and just go through with them or check it,” Brown said.
“We found that a lot of the teens were bringing their homework and just asking a lot of questions,” Brown said —asking for help for things like how to solve a math problem.
“Then that also kind of became a little more cool for the younger kids like to bring their books that they had to read.”
Brown said that after the homework helps, it is time for fun. This time often includes lots of games, crafts, and activities.
“We definitely see that, like, there’s just more of a bond amongst the kids,” Brown said. “Now they’re getting to know each other better. The kids of all ages are playing together. They’re looking out for one another. We’re not seeing as much conflict or isolation.”
The Whole Way House programs are based on its three pillars: reconnect, rebuild and recentre.
Reconnecting people to build meaningful relationships, rebuilding “a sense of belonging and purpose through opportunities to contribute, education and training,” and re-centring through one-on-one tenant support services and connecting people to community resources.
During their recent summer barbecue, one of the Orchard tenants approached Jenny Conkin and told her how grateful he was for Whole Way House.
As he told her: “Since Whole Way House has been here, we’ve actually become a community.”
Advocates sound alarm at growing number of homeless seniors in Metro Vancouver
The 2023 Greater Vancouver Homeless Count revealed more than one in five of the region’s homeless, (22 per cent) are aged 55 or older.
That’s more than double the 10 per cent who were homeless in 2005.
“They don’t tend to be the ones out asking for help, they kind of come from a generation of pull up your boot straps, and so often they are living in cars, they are couch surfing or living really precariously housed, for example in (single room occupancy hotels),” she explained.
Organizations like Whole Way House are doing what they can to try and get ahead of the problem.Konkin said the organization is a part of a pilot project with BC Housing and four other buildings that’s working to find more supportive and suitable long-term housing for seniors at risk of homelessness.“We want to get on the prevention side,” she said. “We’re already in crisis mode that nobody is really talking about.”
Posted October 17, 2023 6:06 pm Updated October 20, 2023 11:34 am
The 2023 Greater Vancouver Homeless Count revealed more than one in five of the region’s homeless, (22 per cent) are aged 55 or older. That’s more than double the 10 per cent who were homeless in 2005.
“They don’t tend to be the ones out asking for help, they kind of come from a generation of pull up your boot straps, and so often they are living in cars, they are couch surfing or living really precariously housed, for example in (single room occupancy hotels),” she explained.
Organizations like Whole Way House are doing what they can to try and get ahead of the problem.
Konkin said the organization is a part of a pilot project with BC Housing and four other buildings that’s working to find more supportive and suitable long-term housing for seniors at risk of homelessness. “We want to get on the prevention side,” she said. “We’re already in crisis mode that nobody is really talking about.”
SFU Aging in the Right Place Study: Survey Data Collection with Older Adults Experiencing Housing Insecurities: A Reflection
July 2022
“One question in particular asked residents if there was anyone in their network who would come to find them within 48-hours if something dangerous or serious happened to them in their home. Many of the residents shook their head indicating no or answered the question by stating that no one would come looking for them in 48 hours and it would most likely be much longer before their situation was discovered. Replies like this were incredibly difficult to hear but also motivated us to keep going as we realized how important this work was. We realized we were actively contributing to raising awareness about social isolation and the need for social support and engagement in these types of housing. In turn, we became extremely hopeful and proud at the thought that our research may play a vital role in making experiences better for these residents.”
Vancouver Sun - ``New Pilot Project Supports Isolated Low-Income Seniors To Keep Them At Home Longer``
Sept 2022
“I think Whole Way House came as a lifeline to many, many residents,” said Jen Evans, the agency’s team lead and tenant support worker at Granville House. “We replace the family that some of them don’t have.”
There are thousands of low-income seniors living independently in non-profit housing units in B.C., but most do not come with support. Some lose their homes as they age because they don’t have anyone to help them organize financial affairs, keep their places clean, or stay healthy, said Jenny Konkin, Whole Way House president.
“When they moved in, they were able to live independently, but as they’re aging they might be losing some of those abilities. But there’s no system in place to support them, and so we saw seniors were falling through the cracks,” she said.
Vancouver Sun - 'It's heartbreaking': Many more B.C. seniors asking for help to avoid homelessness
November 2020
“A lot of the seniors we work with have complex health issues. On top of that, physical mobility issues, so physically not able to get to the polling station.”
Voting by phone is available for people self-isolating, or who have underlying health issues, are disabled or are visually impaired. Full article here.
The Globe and Mail shares about the Growing number of Vancouver-area seniors facing housing crisis
November 2020
Seniors are the fastest-growing homeless demographic, according to the city of Vancouver’s Homelessness & Supportive Housing Strategy, released on Oct. 7. For the past two years, they have represented about one-quarter of the homeless population
We are excited and extremely proud to announce that our very own Whole Way House President Jenny Konkin is a winner of Business in Vancouver’s 2018 Forty under 40 Awards!
Jenny has had a tremendous impact on the Vancouver community by working tirelessly to help vulnerable adults to feel more connected and less lonely in our city.
Jenny has an astounding entrepreneurial spirit and she uses these gifts to benefit the at-risk and vulnerable adults in our own backyard. Jenny constantly does more, with less, by being resourceful, strategic and employing sheer tenacity. She has the qualities of a true leader.
Join us in congratulating our strong and committed leader as she received this impressive recognition from the business community! Read her full story below.
(Every year Business in Vancouver highlights the achievements of BC’s young entrepreneurs, executives and professionals by finding 40 outstanding professionals worthy of the Forty under 40 distinction.)
The Province shares 'It's heartbreaking': Many more B.C. seniors asking for help to avoid homelessness
November 2020
Konkin is working with four other housing providers to expand her support services into their buildings. But she needs government funding, which she argues would be cheaper than these seniors ending up in hospitals or in care homes — and more humane than seeing them in shelters.
CTV News shares 'Seniors struggle to find information on voting during pandemic election'
October 2020
“Most low-income seniors don’t have access to online services, and some who live independently may not have advocates, or anyone looking out for them. That means they don’t necessarily know what their options are for voting” Full article here.
Le téléjournal shares 'Un organisme livre des repas pour aînés à faible revenu'
October 2020
L’organisme Whole Way House livre des repas pour des aînés à faible revenu. En temps de pandémie, cela permet aussi aux personnes âgées de sortir moins souvent de chez elles. Full article here.
City News shares 'DTES organization helping hundreds of low-income seniors vote by phone'
October 2020
Konkin is working with four other housing providers to expand her support services into their buildings. But she needs government funding, which she argues would be cheaper than these seniors ending up in hospitals or in care homes — and more humane than seeing them in shelters.
Breakfast Television shares: A Remembrance Day to Remember
We knew this Remembrance Day would look different, but we wanted our veterans at the Veterans Manor know that we have not forgotten. We were able to provide a private, outdoor, socially distanced bagpipe performance by Derek Davidson from New Chelsea Society and present each veteran with a framed copy of “In Flanders Fields”. Thank you Breakfast Television Vancouver for sharing this story.
Video by Hundredfold Productions
Seniors Meal Delivery Update: Over 80,000 meals served in Vancouver!
Since the start of the COVID 19 Pandemic, Whole Way House Society has reached over 600 low-income seniors and vulnerable residents in the DTES and around Vancouver with a door to door meal delivery service. By providing over 80,000 meals and weekly check in’s, the Meal Delivery Program has allowed these seniors to safely self-isolate without feeling alone. We are thankful for the support of our partners and generous supporters.
Video by Hundredfold Productions
Famous violinist plays O Canada for Vets
World renowned violinist Rosemary Siemens performs O Canada for vulnerable veterans and seniors at the Veterans Manor in the DTES on Canada Day.
Video by Hundredfold Productions
Eden Cafe donates their space.
Because of generous partners like the Eden Cafe, we are able to serve vulnerable seniors and veterans across Vancouver.
Video by Coastal Church
Daily Hive Vancouver Shares about WWH Meal Delivery Program during COVID-19
May 2020
For senior citizens, being part of whats referred to as the most vulnerable population during the COVID-19 pandemic has left many of them feeling panicked about the new normal. To help keep them safe, healthy, and loved while self-isolating, Whole Way House has been delivering free meals to those in need around the Downtown Eastside and beyond.
The team has been working tirelessly on the front lines to ensure that all of their seniors continue to maintain physical distancing while still being fed nutritious meals twice a day. They have since expanded their meal services to other low-income residences in Vancouver, as well as vulnerable people living on their own.
Lynda learns about Vancouver's growing seniors homelessness population
March 1, 2019
There is a serious epidemic growing in Vancouver for the seniors population—homelessness.
Seniors make up 23% of the homeless population, up from 9% in 2008. DTES charity Whole Way House provides vital support services to seniors living – and is working on the frontline of the crisis of homeless seniors.
Jody interviews Jenny Konkin about the 7th Annual Family Picnic
July 12, 2019
Jenny and Jody chat all things Family Picnic, the new Amazing Race and the incredible support from the community, especially our friends at Earls. This annual fundraiser helps support vulnerable seniors and veterans in the Downtown Eastside.
Whole Way House featured on Get Inspired Talks podcast
December 7, 2018
What happens when you end severe isolation and loneliness by inviting people into community in the middle of the chaos of Canada’s poorest postal code? In this episode, we visit with Jenny Konkin who is the Co-Founder of a Downtown Eastside Vancouver organization called Whole Way House that works with vulnerable seniors and veterans. She also started “The I Get To Legacy Project” that helps fund Whole Way House and reminds us to ask “What do I GET TO do today?”
An Earls-hosted picnic is taking over Stanley Park this weekend
July 10, 2018
On Saturday, July 14, the Whole Way House will be hosting their 6th annual Family Picnic in the Park. The event creates a fun and memorable day for the 133 vulnerable seniors and veterans that are served at the Whole Way House in the Downtown Eastside, with the invitation extended to families and individuals across the lower mainland. Tickets are available online and are by donation. All proceeds will support Whole Way House’s community building programs and support for seniors and in the Downtown Eastside.
We had the absolute honour of presenting Mr. Michael Springford’s family with his service medals, which he earned over 70 years ago for his service in the Royal Canadian Navy. Michael volunteered from 1940-1945 and served overseas in the North Atlantic. His daughter, granddaughter and great grandson proudly received the awards on his behalf and we are so thankful for his and their great sacrifice. It has been such a pleasure to have the opportunity to get to know and support Michael.
This Fall the Dirty Apron kitchen was transformed into a fierce competition bowl as five teams came together to compete against each other to prove they had what it took to be crowned the CHOPPED CHARITY CHAMPIONS! Each team had to pull their secret ingredients at random and create culinary masterpiece that would win the hearts (and stomachs) of Chefs David Robertson, Takashi Mizukami and guest chef Nico Shuermans from Chambar Restaurant! They chopped, diced, seared and sauteed, all for a great cause to help raise funds for our community building programs.
Stay tuned to find out when our next challenge will be!
How The Whole Way House Is Changing Lives
August 24, 2016
Breakfast Television host Riaz Mehgi sits down with Whole Way House Co-Founder Jenny Konkin and Kris to discuss the “I Get To” program and how it empowers members of the Downtown Eastside community to work creatively with their hands, while building confidence, skills, value and purpose in their lives.
Restoring Dignity To Those On The Downtown Eastside
August 20, 2015
Breakfast Television host Riaz Mehgi sits down with Whole Way House Co-Founder Jenny Konkin and Kris to discuss the “I Get To” program and how it empowers members of the Downtown Eastside community to work creatively with their hands, while building confidence, skills, value and purpose in their lives.
Whole Way House provides a welcoming space for DTES tenants
August 12, 2016
The Daily Hive provides an in-depth feature of recent events and projects at Whole Way Hous, including Family Dinner, Monthly Hair Cuts, the “I Get To” Legacy Chain, UGM Alumni Super Smoothies, Emergency Medical Training, Family Birthday Parties, Art Sessions with Gerrard and the upcoming annual Family Picnic in the Park.
Avalon Hotel crock pot cooking class brings taste of home to Downtown Eastside
March 2, 2015
Vancouver charity The Whole Way House is sharing the feeling of home cooking with residents of the Downtown Eastside’s Avalon Hotel — by teaching them how to cook with a crock pot.
The Daily Hive provides an in-depth feature of recent events and projects at Whole Way Hous, including Family Dinner, Monthly Hair Cuts, the “I Get To” Legacy Chain, UGM Alumni Super Smoothies, Emergency Medical Training, Family Birthday Parties, Art Sessions with Gerrard and the upcoming annual Family Picnic in the Park.
Naoibh O’Connor from the Vancouver Courier chronicles the Whole Way House Crock Pot Cooking Club, a program developed in partnership with The Dirty Apron’s Chef David Robertson.
The latest episode of the Business by the Book Audio Podcast, featuring co-founder Jenny Konkin, is now available! As the Business By The Book’s latest featured speaker, Jenny’s talk on “How Love Works” in the Downtown Eastside took place on Wednesday, February 3rd at the BC Supreme Court, and is now available as a downloadable MP3 audio file.
Jody Vance gleans slow cooking secrets from Chef David Robertson from The Dirty Apron. Chef David also discusses his new slow cooking program for Whole Way House, giving residents an opportunity to learn how to prepare delicious, nutritious and budget friendly meals!
Jenny sits down with Riaz Meghji at Breakfast Television to share about Whole Way House, how attending Games Night helped Ron get a job, and the 2nd Annual Family Picnic in the Park Sunday, August 24th!
The Vancouver Metro covers a story about Gary, who overcame his addiction to drugs out of fear of health concerns for his beloved canine companion, Kolby.
Riaz Meghji and Whole Way House co-founder Jenny Konkin discuss the Downtown Eastside and Whole Way House’s unique approach to tackling loneliness, social isolation and depression.
