The Nicola Valley Shelter and Support Society (NVSSS) is a grassroots non-profit in Merritt, B.C., rooted in compassion and community care. Founded in 2012 by a small group dedicated to helping people facing homelessness, NVSSS has grown into a vital lifeline for the region’s most vulnerable. For over a decade, the Society has provided essentials like a 24/7 emergency shelter, nutritious meals, case management, and outreach services—always with dignity and respect at the forefront.

Since 2013, a committed Board of Directors has guided NVSSS’s growth, including a key partnership with BC Housing in 2020. Today, the Society operates from the former “Knights Inn,” now a 40-bed shelter fully funded by BC Housing and staffed by a dedicated team of 28. Around-the-clock, four trained staff per shift provide safe accommodations, an OPS monitoring site, and individualized or shared rooms depending on need.

Beyond shelter, NVSSS connects clients to counselling services, addiction and recovery centres, healthcare appointments, financial supports, and housing options. Staff also walk alongside clients in reconnecting with Indigenous roots and First Nations bands. More than a shelter, NVSSS is a place of stability, care, and hope—helping people take the next step toward brighter futures.