Upper Room Mission hires new executive director who is ready to listen

VERNON – Vernon's Upper Room Mission Society has a new executive director.

With over two decades worth of experience Nicole Makohoniuk has taken the senior role at the well-known downtown Vernon charity.

"I'm going to listen. I am here to listen and support the staff and clients to meet the needs of the community and individuals," Makohoniuk said in a media release. "I am not going to be the type of person who sits in the office; I've never been that way. I am going to get to know the guests. I am going to get to know the amazing community around the mission, including the businesses."

According to the release, Makohoniuk spent nearly 30 years as an early childhood educator and spent a dozen years as president and vice-president of the District Parent Advisory Council and Parent Advisory Councils. She describes the position as her "dream job."

The Upper Room Mission opened in Vernon in 1980 and provides services for those experiencing poverty in the community.

"The Upper Room Mission ties in my faith, which is important to me, along with giving back and supporting people where they are at. We have to build a community and we need community support. We need support from business, other social services and from the individuals, including the church community. We need to bring everyone together. That is my focus," Makohoniuk said.

To contact a reporter for this story, email Ben Bulmer or call (250) 309-5230 or email the editor. You can also submit photos, videos or news tips to the newsroom and be entered to win a monthly prize draw.

We welcome your comments and opinions on our stories but play nice. We won't censor or delete comments unless they contain off-topic statements or links, unnecessary vulgarity, false facts, spam or obviously fake profiles. If you have any concerns about what you see in comments, email the editor in the link above.