Programs and Services
At the Nicola Valley Shelter and Support Society, we begin by meeting people’s most basic needs. We start by 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.
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.
NVSSS Shelter Services & Programs:
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 services.
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
Weekend and after-hours support: meals, transportation and connections to community resources, referrals and other services as required.
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.
NVSSS includes 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 a dedicated indoor and outdoor OPS with access to harm-reduction supplies.
Food Services & Program (In current operation): 3 daily meals providing breakfast, 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-ins, 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 access to detox and addiction recovery services with other community agencies.
Kathy’s Story:
Finding Safety, Hope, and a Path Forward
When Kathy lost her husband after 44 years of marriage, her world turned upside down. At 74, she never imagined she would face homelessness.
Kathy and her husband had always rented, living paycheck to paycheck. Like many women of her generation, Kathy wasn’t involved in managing the family finances. When her husband passed away without life insurance, she was left to navigate everything alone.
Her small pension couldn’t keep up with the rising cost of rent, food, and bills. She relied on credit cards just to cover the basics, but eventually, the debt piled up. After several evictions, Kathy had nowhere left to turn.
“I never thought this would be my life,” Kathy shares quietly. “I had friends who tried to help, but it was too much. Finally, I had to come here to the shelter.”
Today, Kathy lives at the Nicola Valley Shelter and Support Society, where she’s found stability, safety, and a caring community. She now works 25 hours a week at a local coffee shop to help pay down her debt and save for her dream of moving into affordable senior housing.
“People need to understand that shelters aren’t just for people struggling with addiction,” Kathy says. “Many of us here are seniors, living on fixed incomes that just don’t stretch far enough. We’re everyday people with nowhere else to go.”
When Kathy became sick a few months ago, the shelter staff went above and beyond to make sure she was cared for.
“I couldn’t eat or sleep for a week. The staff checked in on me every day and made sure I had something warm, like soup. Their kindness helped me get through that scary time. I feel safe here, and I’m so grateful.”
Despite the challenges she’s faced, Kathy’s spirit remains strong. She dreams of one day having her own space again, and reuniting with her beloved pets, currently being cared for by a local rescue group.
“I have hope,” Kathy says with a smile. “I want to live somewhere I can crochet, read, go for walks, and keep learning new things. Just because you reach a certain age doesn’t mean you stop growing.”
Kathy’s story is a powerful reminder that homelessness can happen to anyone. This is especially true as the cost of living continues to rise.
Emergency shelters like ours are lifelines, providing not just a bed, but compassion, dignity, and a path toward a brighter future.
