Gloria Hoeppner, a multi-talented, adaptable, and kind-hearted super-woman, has been a volunteer with The Cridge Centre for the Family since 2022. Her connection to the organization began through a familiar face, our CEO Adam Richards, who has been part of her family’s life for many years. Gloria has always placed enormous value on acts of service and has been involved as a volunteer in downtown street outreach, as well as church ministries. As she learned more about The Cridge Centre through Adam, Gloria felt her heart leading her towards getting involved. As Gloria puts it: “I was looking for a place hopefully to be a blessing in some way.”

Gloria’s first role at The Cridge Centre was playing piano for chapel services at The Cridge Village Seniors’ Centre. This has been a role that Gloria has been deeply blessed by. She warmly remarks: “I’ve fallen in love with the seniors. I love hearing them singing, belting out the hymns and songs, it’s just awesome.”

Gloria’s role quickly expanded, to include volunteering weekly in the Second Stage Program, where she keeps things organized-from sorting donations, to watering the garden, to organizing, decorating and tidying the program spaces. She laughingly calls herself a ‘decorative consultant’ to The Cridge Centre. Gloria also uses her gifts to help the families in The Cridge R & R Family Services’ Respitality program, by delivering gift bags to the hotels where they will be staying.

Gloria has become an invaluable member of The Cridge Centre family. Her role as a volunteer has blessed so many staff, clients and programs.

When asked what drives her commitment to volunteering at The Cridge Centre for the Family, Gloria shares: “It’s the people… I love them and I know they love me back. It’s a very special relationship.”