Shannon Christensen害羞草研究所檚 passion for the non-profit world took hold early in life, thanks to her grandmother害羞草研究所檚 influence.

害羞草研究所淪he ran an orphanage in Nigeria for seven years while her husband was stationed overseas,害羞草研究所� Christensen recalled.

害羞草研究所淪he害羞草研究所檇 share stories and slides, and she kept all these really amazing mementos, and I kept thinking, 害羞草研究所業 want to do something like that.害羞草研究所櫤π卟菅芯克鶟

Christensen害羞草研究所檚 interest in helping others first manifested in her career when she became a trauma therapist for the Elizabeth Frye Society, a position she still holds. But now, she害羞草研究所檚 driven to make a bigger difference害羞草研究所攁nd this drive has led her to create Mamas for Mamas, a community-driven platform where low-income mothers can request donated items, enroll in community support programs, and apply to receive refurbished computers free of charge.

Working at both organizations requires discipline and drive, which Christensen has in spades.

害羞草研究所淚 have two children under the age of five, so I害羞草研究所檓 up first thing in the morning. Around 6:30 a.m. I start answering emails and redirecting donation requests to our donations coordinator. After I get my kids up and ready for school and day care, that害羞草研究所檚 when I check in with the event planning committee.害羞草研究所�

The Mamas for Mamas害羞草研究所� event planning committee consists of 12 women from high-profile Okanagan organizations who plan events like the recent 1980s-themed 5K fun run and the upcoming 007 Casino Royale gaming and entertainment night.

The organization is also working on a fundraiser with the Kelowna Closet Cleanout flea market and a spring pub night at Rose害羞草研究所檚 Pub, but the major headline event of the year will be the annual fundraising gala in November.

害羞草研究所淲e have a different theme every year害羞草研究所攍ast year it was Country Formal. It was a sold-out event at the Laurel Packinghouse. We raised about $10,000 for our programs, and part of that money also went toward children害羞草研究所檚 Christmas gifts for 10 families.害羞草研究所�

But that害羞草研究所檚 not all that Christensen has planned. The non-profit害羞草研究所檚 popular computer distribution program害羞草研究所攚hich provides individuals earning under $30,000 per year with refurbished computers for free害羞草研究所攚ill be up and running again as soon as Mamas for Mamas can find a computer technician to volunteer.

Universal childcare is also a major priority, as Christensen plans to open Canada害羞草研究所檚 first universal childcare centre to offer spaces at the federal New Democratic Party害羞草研究所檚 recommended rate of $15 per day.

Christensen害羞草研究所檚 drive to give back害羞草研究所攂oth in her day job as a trauma therapist and in her capacity as executive director of Mamas for Mamas 害羞草研究所攕tems from a simple but important lesson she learned from her father.

害羞草研究所淚t害羞草研究所檚 more important to be kind than it is to be right. My dad always used to say, 害羞草研究所楾he only thing I know for sure is that I don害羞草研究所檛 know anything for sure.害羞草研究所� He was a lawyer, and he害羞草研究所檇 often go to

Cottonwoods to prepare residents害羞草研究所� wills for free. He died in 2009, on the day after my wedding. After I lost him, I talked about change, wanting to see different things. And I thought, 害羞草研究所業 have to be the change I want to see in the world.害羞草研究所櫤π卟菅芯克鶟

Christensen and her husband knew firsthand the stress and uncertainty of raising a family on a low income, and it害羞草研究所檚 that struggle and the fact that many women don害羞草研究所檛 have a partner to assist with bills is what inspired Christensen to start Mamas for Mamas.

害羞草研究所淲hen we were in our early 20s and on one income, we were broke, but we got by because we knew that we could borrow money from family if we had to. That害羞草研究所檚 why we have to build a community like (Mamas for Mamas). There shouldn害羞草研究所檛 be this much struggle in our own backyards when the resources to solve these problems are sitting right in front of us.害羞草研究所�

Since its inception in 2014, Mamas for Mamas has grown to 22 chapters nationwide, and counts 9,500 members across the Okanagan. It害羞草研究所檚 a phenomenon that Christensen attributes to the contagious nature of generosity. To learn more see mamasformamas.ca.

Crowe MacKay害羞草研究所檚 Women to Watch program is a weekly feature that profiles remarkable women in our community. This feature series is a joint initiative between Crowe MacKay, the Kelowna Chamber of Commerce and the 害羞草研究所. To nominate the exceptional woman in your life, email womentowatch@kelownachamber.org.