Former resident takes the reins at Talitha Koum

Kimmie Jensen appointed executive director of woman's shelter

Kimmie Jensen (left) shares an emotional moment with Talitha Koum founder Starr Peardon (right) at Peardon's retirement party, March 31. Jensen replaces Peardon as executive director of Talitha Koum after going through the program for troubled women herself. Nathan Rumohr / The B.C. Catholic.

The Talitha Koum Society is an organization that takes in women in dire circumstances and brings faith into their lives. The organization's founder Starr Peardon stepped aside earlier this year and now the organization is run by Kimmie Jensen, a former resident:

Thirteen years ago Starr Peardon wanted to help women who struggled like she did with drugs, alcohol, and jail time. That's when she started Talitha Koum, a housing initiative for women dealing with addictions and criminal records in Greater Vancouver.

Now former Talitha Koum resident Kimmie Jensen is taking the reins of the program following Peardon's March 31 retirement.

"Starr never told me why she entrusted me with the job, but I remember telling her that I wanted to be the director," Jensen recalled. "I think it was a prayer said out loud that I didn't think was attainable."

Read the full story at The B.C. Catholic website.