The Brooksdale Environmental Centre recently grew by one fantastic family. After years of dreaming, Jessica and Ryan Weemhoff and their darling girls, Salel and Brooke, joined the A Rocha Brooksdale community where they will make their home amongst three other families, as well as the myriad of interns, guests and volunteers who pass through.

Jessica and Ryan come with a passion for creation care. In their own words, they “fell in love with God, the Creator, Redeemer and Sustainer of the entire world through the intricacy, beauty and wonder of creation (both people and places).” They are thrilled to live out their vocational callings within the A Rocha family.

Practically, that will look like a role in environmental education for Jessica, who will use her years of teaching experience to help coordinate and develop youth programs for kids from a variety of demographics, including refugee and low-income families. Jess sees her work as equipping the next generation with a sense of wonder, curiosity and desire to steward creation.

Ryan has joined the Brooksdale leadership team as Program Development Manager. He will supervise various programs and activities such as sustainable agriculture, animal husbandry, the farm store, and retreat conferencing. In addition to management, he will have the opportunity to teach in a variety of settings. His recent experience as manager of UBC Farms will certainly hold him in good stead in these endeavours.

To see why we’re so excited to have the Weemhoffs on the team, please stop in on a Volunteer Day or other event to meet them and enjoy the warmth of their company. You’ll come away encouraged!