Volunteers in Action

Shown above: Catherine & Larry. Shown below: Rose, Barb & Mildred - Prayer Team Volunteers. A.J. & Farai - Big Book Study Facilitators. Fr. Cardozo, OCD - Spiritual Advisor. Allan, Stephen & Sharmilla - Group Facilitators

Volunteer Tributes

Catherine Bowen - 20 Years of Blessing, Loving, and Being Loved

My active journey with Luke 15 House began on January 2005. I had been introduced to this beautiful & unique community by the founder Alaan Ammerlaan when we met at an RCIA (Adult Faith Formation) group at our church in 1997.  It took me several years to say “Yes” to invitations to come and visit the House. Men from prison and a world of drug addiction had never been anything I’d given thought to being a part of. That changed when I finally said “Yes!” and began volunteering 2 days a week to help with menu planning, grocery shopping & cooking.  I was soon asked to facilitate groups, on adopting positive attitudes & virtues and letting go of negative and self-destructing thoughts and habits.  After six months I was employed full time as assistant to Alaan, the exec. Director. 

On my first drive in, I asked God to promise that I would never have unhealthy fear and that I would see and love each resident with the heart of Jesus.  He has kept his promise. 

Over the following 6 years or so, as we would say “Only by the grace of God!” I found myself in 4 labour rooms with pregnant partners of residents.  With 2 of them I was blessed to witness healthy babies being born.  One evening I received a call from Nigel who was stricken with strep throat the night before he was to preside at a funeral of a young resident who had suddenly died. He asked, “Would you take over the ceremony?” With absolutely no time to hissy-fit, I followed the lead of the Holy Spirit and the memorial tribute for our beloved young brother was abundantly blessed with grace. In any and all extraordinary efforts which I have made, it has been the Holy Spirit putting the extra into my ordinary. 

For the remainder of my years, our main stay has been Larry & I facilitating group on Thursday afternoon.  I often have no idea what the theme will be until we arrive & the Holy Spirit makes it clear: Reflection on Scripture; Role playing; Singing to Larry’s guitar; word games; indoor & outdoor Olympics; Field trips.  Baking has always been a popular activity... to the last crumb. The men become free to share their vulnerability. 

The men know without a doubt that they are loved and prayed for by us and by all whom we’ve asked to pray for them, (& them for others). Prayerful communication frequently from Eileen & Seamus in N. Ireland is always exciting to give & receive.. 

Tremendous growth in faith, during COVID, carrying on with my bought of cancer throughout 2021, followed immediately by a miraculous 8-month recovery for Larry from a stroke.  The tremendous outpouring of prayers and love from the men at Luke 15 contributed greatly to our healing.   And now, in 2025, I begin chemo and our army of prayer soldiers is holding us up once again.  I assure them that throughout our suffering, I see the face of Jesus in the presence of each of the men.   God has blessed us tremendously, through Luke 15 House’s community of staff, volunteers, friends and of course each Prodigal Son He brings to Luke 15. God bless you all!  - Catherine Bowen  

Marla Poirier - Social Media and Print Media Creator

“Marla Poirier volunteers to create captivating and informative content for Luke 15 House Social Media and Print Media. Marla has worked in the newspaper and marketing industry for decades, in the capacity of graphic artist, marketing, and writing. She loves living in her hometown of Surrey with her husband Gary” - Nigel Vincent

Become a Volunteer

If you would like to partner with us, fill out the form below and one of our staff members will get back to you.

Volunteer Testimonials

“ I volunteer at Luke 16 because I like to do the work, I like to help out, and it’s all in God’s name that I do it.”  -  Jennifer

“ I felt a calling, like God was calling me -- “ go to Luke 15!”  -  Marvin

” Twenty three years ago, at the insistence of a friend, I reluctantly arrived at Luke 15 House, then on Kingsway, to attend a bible study.  It was led by Rob, a 27 year old resident who had become so bored in jail that he picked up a  Gideon Bible and was astounded by what he found in it.  He read to use several passages that had jumped out at him, and related why they had meant so much to him.  This began his recovery and his spiritual life, eventually leading him to Luke 15 House on his release.  I was awestruck to discover, as I looked around the room, that even the other residents, scared, tattooed and (to me at the time) scary looking, listened quietly, respectfully and attentively throughout Bob’s talk.  I became suddenly aware that if Jesus were walking the Earth in our time, this is where I would find him.  Additionally, I sense that presence of the Holy Spirit, an awareness that never left me in all my years of involvement with Luke 15. As a youth I had decided that should a miracle ever take place, I would sell my possessions to travel there to experience it first hand.  At Luke 15, I was surprised to discover that MANY miracles were taking place in my backyard.  No sell-off was required!  Is it any wonder then that I found myself “hooked” on Luke 15 House?  Nor did the expectation of many more miracles at Luke 15 disappoint.  I pray that they may long continue! “  -  Joe