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Surrey poverty-fighting organization rebrands as SUMS Place

After 30 years addressing homelessness in Whalley, Surrey Urban Mission Society officially adopted the name SUMS Place Thursday with a new five-year strategic plan.

· 2 min read · HOC Vancouver Desk
Surrey poverty-fighting organization rebrands as SUMS Place
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Surrey Urban Mission Society is now known as SUMS Place, the organization announced Thursday, June 18, during its annual general meeting at Civic Hotel. The name change marks a shift after three decades of work addressing homelessness and poverty in the Whalley neighborhood.

"This is the next natural step in who we've become," said CEO William Myers, a lifelong Surrey resident hired in May 2024. "We started with the help of the local church, people who wanted to help their neighbours. Thirty years later, we operate more than 140 shelter beds annually and serve hundreds of meals a day."

Myers replaced former CEO Jack O'Halloran and brings a background in public health and nonprofit management, having previously worked for Fraser Health, the Canadian Red Cross, and government agencies.

The organization, headquartered at 10776 King George Boulevard, provides emergency shelter, food security, case management, and care to adults. The new strategic plan sets out priorities for the next five years and beyond.