More Than A Roof Foundation
Whatever the reasons for their situation, homeless people deserve our compassion and the extension of a helping hand.
More Than a Roof (MTR) has a bold vision to address the needs of the hard to house… one person at a time. We believe it is more effective to work “with people instead of for people.” While we provide affordable, secure housing, we seek to do so in a context that builds community and develops life skills as a means of assisting tenants to build a better life. Our goal is to provide “More Than a Roof.” Through the work of our Foundation, our goal is to provide hope and healing as well as we carry out programs and activities that help alleviate poverty and homelessness, and empower our tenants to realize their worth as individuals and to participate in the larger community.
Meet our Board of Directors
LORNE EPP
For the last sixteen years Lorne’s been focused on the work of More Than A Roof Housing Society as an emerging leader in reducing and eliminating all forms of homelessness. As a graduate of Brock University College of Education his vocational background includes teaching, real estate and 18 yrs. of project management in the development / construction industry. In 1992 Lorne was invited to join the board of More than A Roof as a volunteer director and in 1995, accepted the leadership role of Executive Director. He was also privileged to be a part of the inaugural board of the B. C. Non Profit Housing Association and since then, has had a long-standing involvement with, and commitment to, the nonprofit housing sector. Lorne and his wife Margaret make their home in the Fleetwood area of Surrey. They have one married daughter and one granddaughter. His personal interests include wilderness adventures, motorcycle riding, cinematography, reading and guitar.
ERWIN BRAUN
Born and raised in the Abbotsford community, Erwin Braun is a businessman actively investing within the North American marketplace in real estate and operating businesses. Previously, for more than two decades Erwin has been a leader in the Railway construction and supply industry and played a critical role in the direction and development of Canada's premier railway construction company, Pacific Northern Rail Contractors Corp. (PNR), with its head office in Abbotsford. As well, Erwin maintains numerous Board positions/responsibilities within the business and civic arenas that have included the Abbotsford Police Board. He and his wife Connie have supported the Abbotsford Regional Hospital, MCC, University of the Fraser Valley, Big Brothers, Cyrus Center, The Reach and other local organizations.
CONNIE BRAUN
Connie Braun teaches creative writing and is the Writer in Residence at TWU. She earned a BA (Communications) and an MA in Humanities (English) from Trinity Western University, and is an author with publications in both creative and academic journals, an anthology, along with a book of memoir focusing on her family story. Connie has been involved in the non-profit sector, and specifically, for over 15 years with More Than A Roof, first as a local volunteer, then as a Director for the Society, and currently as a Director for the Foundation.
PETER DUECK
Peter is a semi-retired business owner and educator. He keeps busy with some consulting and a lot of Board responsibilities at More Than A Roof, Coast Social Enterprise Foundation, Oakridge Senior Centre and BC Foster Parents Association. Peter and wife Dina have five children, three grandchildren and live in Vancouver. Together they attend First United Mennonite Church in Vancouver.
MARIE LOUISE FAST
Marie-Louise Fast (Stolz) was born and raised a Vancouverite. She established and has maintained her law firm in Richmond, B.C. for over 25 years, practising primarily in the area of real estate and business law. In addition to BA and LLB degrees obtained at UBC, she has been active in the field of music, having acquired an A.R.C.T. degree (Royal Conservatory) and has studied at the Banff School of Fine Arts as well as the Musikhochschule in Detmold, Germany. She has performed has a cellist in many orchestra’s, chamber groups and sung in various choirs in past years. She has been closely involved in her Mennonite Brethren church congregation for most of her life. She presently divides her time between her law practice, the Burnaby bed and breakfast she operates together with her husband, Johannes, and various church and charitable board activities.
DON KROEKER
Don Kroeker has had numerous roles with More than a Roof since the late 1980’s. He’s held positions as Director, committee member, committee chair, board chair and project manager. Most recently he continues his interest in advocating for housing and the hard to house, through More than a Roof Foundation. His career has involved all aspects of construction supervision and management. He brings with him an Environmental Studies background from the University of Winnipeg and is accredited as a LEED ap. His interests revolve around his family and the beauty of the natural environment he finds himself in. He loves the sea and being on it. Don continues to be active in the community and the local church near his home in White Rock.
DAVE HILLHOUSE
After Graduating from Simon Fraser University, Dave started work with the Chartered Accounting Firm of Peat Marwick Mitchell as an articling student. In 1980 he setup a property management company managing apartment buildings, over 780,000 sq ft of commercial property and four residential properties. He and his family attend Westwood Mennonite Brethren Church in Prince George. He has served on a number of committees over the years including the building committee that built the church. Dave and his wife have enjoyed designing and building their home on a beautiful lake near Prince George. They have two sons, two wonderful daughters in-law and five grandchildren with two more on the way. His hobbies include playing with grandchildren, fishing, landscaping and tinkering around the house.