Outreach

The purpose of the Shelter Hub is to address the inflow of clients into the homeless sector system of care.  Shelter diversion is practiced upon client engagement and is intended for:

• People who have lost their housing and are seeking shelter admission
• People who are staying outdoors
• People who are currently housed who may be facing eviction
• People who are marginally housed who may need help accessing resources

Whenever it is safe and appropriate to do so, diversion services will help individuals, couples, and families not enter the shelter system.  The diversion practice will first assist individuals in finding alternatives to the shelter system.  When alternatives are unavailable, the team will determine the best shelter placement for individuals, considering history within shelters, medical complexities, as well as shelter specializations.

The Shelter Hub is a collaborative effort with other associations within our region including Now Canada Society, Canadian Mental Health Association Kelowna, Metro Community Church Kelowna, Partners in Resources (PIERS) West Kelowna, and Okanagan Regional Library.

The Shelter Hub assists with:

• Navigating Systems
• Connecting with Natural Supports
• In-Home Supports 

 

The Cammy LaFleur Outreach Program is designed to improve people’s health and prevent the transmission of blood-borne pathogens, decrease or prevent infections, and support people at risk of or who have blood-borne pathogens and/or infections. 

The program’s mandate is to assist people in becoming stable, safer, healthier, heard and supported. To accomplish this, numerous services are provided including outreach, in-reach to shelter sites, community education, stigma reduction, and peer empowerment as well as ongoing collaboration with the HIV outreach nurse, the OAT (Opioid Antagonist Therapy) nurse, Interior Health MHSU (Mental Health and Substance Use), the Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction and several other community organizations. 

This program is named after the late local activist and humanitarian Cammy LaFleur. To find out more about Cammy and her legacy click here.  

Location:

• The fixed site is at 2800, 33rd Street, Vernon (Gateway Services Building) Open Monday-Friday 8:30am-4:00pm.
• On site Harm Reduction / Overdose Prevention Clinic open Monday – Friday 1:00-3:00pm.
• Outreach services are provided in Vernon, Enderby, Armstrong, Lumby and Cherryville.  
• Harm Reduction deliveries and related supports can be coordinated for Enderby, Armstrong, Lumby and Cherryville. 

Harm reduction supplies can be found at:

•  Downtown Mental Health and Substance Use: Mon – Fri 9am – 3pm 3306A 32nd Avenue (250) 503-3737 *supervised injection services available 
• Turning Points Emergency Shelter: 7 days per week 24hr. 2506 37th Street.
• Vernon Urgent and Primary Care Centre: 7 days per week, 9:30am – 8:00pm. 3105 28th Avenue. (250) 541-1097 *some limitations on available items

For more information or to access Outreach services please call 250-938-3518

 

The Homelessness Outreach Program helps individuals and families who are homeless or experiencing housing insecurity secure housing. In order to do this, clients’ needs are assessed and then they are connected to stable accommodation and appropriate services based on this assessment.  

Location: 2800 33rd Street, Vernon B.C.  

Operating hours: Monday to Friday, 8am – 4pm.  

Eligibility: Anyone who is facing barriers to housing or experiencing homelessness and who is willing and motivated to work with HOP staff to find and maintain housing.  

Free Services Provided: needs assessment, case management, referrals, and financial assistance for eligible clients.    

Registration: Please contact Dave Ireland at [email protected] or 250-241-7583 to book an appointment to register. 

 

The Homelessness Prevention Program supports individuals and families who are at risk of losing their housing. In order to do this, the program develops relationships with landlords, acts as mediators, and provides short-term financial subsidies to eligible clients.   

Location: 2800 33rd Street, Vernon B.C.  (services provided in Enderby, Lumby, Vernon, and Armstrong)   

Operating hours: Monday to Friday, 8am – 4pm.  

Eligibility: People who are at risk of becoming homeless and are in one, or more, of the following groups:  

– First Nations, Metis, or Inuit people;  
– Women who have experienced violence or are at risk of violence; 
– Youth, including those leaving the care system; and/or 
– People leaving the corrections and/or hospital systems  

Free Services Provided: needs assessment, case management, referrals, and financial assistance for eligible clients.    

Additional Information:   

• All people accessing Homelessness Prevention Program services must provide proof of income and a tenancy agreement.   
• Rental subsidies are made out to the client’s landlord and are mailed or delivered to them directly.   

Registration: Please contact Vera Smith at 250-503-7317 or [email protected] 

 

The West Kelowna Outreach Team provides a continuum of service that begins with engagement at the street level and continues until clients are stable in housing and have strong financial and social supports in place.

This innovative program prioritizes homelessness prevention, shelter diversion, and rapid resolution. In other words, all services are designed to help people who are at risk of becoming homeless maintain (or find new) housing, to help those experiencing homelessness explore safe housing options within their own social networks, and to help those who are in currently in shelter find longer-term, sustainable, alternatives.

Location: Roaming in West Kelowna.

Operating Hours: 7 days a week 10 am to 6 pm

Eligibility: Open to anyone who is experiencing homelessness or housing insecurity. This program is gender and age-inclusive.

Free Services Provided:

Outreach to those living rough:

• hot meals
• harm reduction and hygiene supplies
• outdoor clothing and survival gear
• case management – including referrals to supportive housing programs, transportation to appointments, and connection with income supports.

Peer support:

• residents of the temporary housing program are eligible to join our peer support program either as Peer Outreach Workers or as Peer Hotel Workers. This program provides training on how to support those who are currently experiencing homelessness
• work experience and ongoing support

Homelessness prevention:

• help getting to and from appointments with long-term supportive housing providers, market rental housing interviews, grocery shopping, court dates, moving etc.
• weekly and bi-weekly support for clients in long-term housing. This support continues until natural supports are in place. This continued support ensures clients do not cycle back into homelessness if housing is not suitable for any reason. Outreach workers can work with clients on address needs that make housing not sustainable including moving to alternate housing when needed

Registration: No registration required.

For more information please contact: