The Nicola Valley Shelter and Support Society (NVSSS) has been serving Merritt and the Nicola Valley region for over 12 years, operating a safe, all inclusive shelter and day program for marginalized community members. Continued funding with BC Housing and their guidance on the best practices for a stable shelter model has allowed NVSSS to expand its capacity and deepen its understanding of how to care for vulnerable populations.

Our services include the following programs:

The Knights Inn (Current): A 40-bed shelter providing housing and ongoing services that include meals, advocacy and support, caring staff and an dedicated OPS on site with access to harm-reduction supplies.
Food Services & Program (In current operation): Two daily meal deliveries providing lunch, dinner and snacks for up to 40 clients. There are also food supports for individuals living outside the shelter, connecting with our Street Outreach Worker.
Laundry Services: Clients have access to commercial washers and dryers, with support from staff as needed.
Shower and Hygiene Services: Clients can access showers, soap, hygiene supplies, and other basic necessities.
Street Outreach – Providing cultural support, BC Identification, emotional check-in’s, and ongoing food supports for those still street entrenched.

Every client presents unique needs, and our staff provide individualized support through a structured and comprehensive intake assessment, case management, and connections to community resources. For those dealing with substance use, we tailor supports to help stabilize and guide their path forward, and that includes transporation to access detox and addiction recovery services with other community agencies.

The Nicola Valley Shelter and Support Society (NVSSS) is a registered non-profit organization that has been operating since 2012. We serve marginalized and vulnerable adults (19+), of all genders, who are unhoused or at risk of homelessness. Many of the individuals we support face challenges related to substance use and/or mental health.

NVSSS Shelter Services and Programs Include:

Emergency Shelter - provided on a first-come, first-served basis, subject to intake criteria, a shelter that accommodates all individuals, twenty-four (24) hours per day, seven (7) days per week, who require shelter services, and our focus is on bringing people indoors. At NVSSS we provide:

Essential Services including bedding, hygiene supplies, showers, and laundry
Overdose Prevention & Harm Reduction Supports, including access to an OPS site with supplies
Case Management, helping clients set goals and navigate supports for housing, social assistance, health, employment, and transportation to addiction recovery agencies.

A Street Outreach Program:

Assistance with obtaining personal identification
Connection to cultural supports, and traditional practices
Referrals to spiritual or faith-based services for those who request them

Food and Meal Support Services:
NVSSS provides consistent nutritional support through our food program, serving lunch and dinner daily which includes snacks and other food supports. We prepare and distribute up to 80 meals per day to shelter clients and outreach contacts.

Our Services

At the Nicola Valley Shelter and Support Society, we begin by meeting people’s most basic needs—offering a warm, safe place to rest, nutritious meals, and the caring presence of our staff. With these essentials in place, individuals can begin to find stability, security, and a sense of routine.

From there, we walk alongside our clients as they take their next steps—helping them build support networks, connect with community resources, and access services that foster long-term wellbeing. This may include assistance with financial applications, addiction and recovery supports, housing and employment opportunities, or reconnecting with cultural and community roots.

Our role is to bridge the gap between what’s needed and what’s possible—offering not only shelter, but also hope, dignity, and the tools to rebuild a stronger future.

Not everything that is faced, can be changed, but nothing can be changed, until it is faced”

- James Baldwin-