The Advocacy Centre — 525 Vernon Street
Skilled staff provide legal information,
education and referral services. Violence, poverty, family law, child
protection, affordable housing and homelessness are some of the issues
The Advocacy Centre faces head on. The agency has a particular focus on
assisting victims of crime, those living in poverty, people with
disabilities and those in conflict with systems or individuals with
greater power. The Centre actively promotes the rights and equality of
women and all who are subject to oppression.
Established in 1988, The Advocacy Centre has been a program agency of Nelson CARES Society since 1989. It is famous for creating The Guide for Trouble Free Renting; Nelson on a Shoestring; Big Free Days and more.
Funding and training support comes from The Law Foundation and the provincial Ministries of Public Safety and Solicitor General and Attorney General.
For more information, come to our website
Earth Matters — 521 Vernon Street
Earth Matters is a youth-driven,
environmentally and socially focused organization that has been
providing on the ground projects in Nelson since 1995. Earth Matters
developed two social enterprise businesses to support the youth
initiatives that were on going in the community, including Cottonwood
Medicinal Herb Garden and Hendryx Street Forest Garden, as well as a
variety of workshops and education programs. Earth Matters also
developed a Community Composting facility to respond to the overwhelming
demand for residential and commercial composting services in our area.
Social enterprises are a way for non-profit organizations to support their community work while reducing the dependency for grant funding to sustain multi-year projects. Earth Matters Eco Store store opened on December 5, 2009. It is located behind the New Grand Hotel in downtown Nelson, BC. There is an online access to its products providing unique environmentally sustainable products to all.
Check out the Earth Matters website for current details on these and other projects.
Earth Matters volunteer Cheralynne Kennedy jumps out of a back yard composter to promote the Urban Composting Project – Photo courtesy of Tim Hicks
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Ward Street Place — 567 Ward Street
Affordable
housing in Nelson is critically low due to sky rocketing rents and
conversions in the downtown core. In March 2002 Nelson District
Community Resource Society (now known as Nelson CARES Society) purchased
Ward Street Place to preserve affordable housing for Nelson residents
with low and limited income. Financial contributions from various
funders enabled NDCRS to make a down-payment towards the purchase of the
building and undertake massive renovations.
Building operations are solely funded by rental income; we receive no government subsidies to assist with building operations or rents. Commercial tenants on the ground floor are important partners in this social enterprise.
In addition to the 33 Single Residential Occupancy (SRO) units, the 3 one bedroom apartments on Victoria St., and Stepping Stones for Success emergency shelter, the 500 block of Ward Street (pictured above) is home to five thriving commercial tenants including Vadim Kristopher Hair Salon, Still Eagle, Hairlines, Fisherman's Market and Capitol Barbershop.
Stepping Stones for Success — 567 Ward Street
Located
in the Ward Street Place building, Stepping Stones is an emergency
shelter for those who find themselves without safe housing in the West
Kootenay area. There are 17 available beds in 5 bedrooms, with a common
room, kitchen, laundry and shared washroom facilities. Stepping Stones
is now double staffed 24/7. With the support from the Nelson Committee
on Homelessness (NCOH) and funding from federal Homelessness Partnering
Strategy, Stepping Stones was able to put into place the Residential
Transitional Support Worker position to provide one-to-one assistance
for residents to locate and maintain housing for people who have had
numerous stays at Stepping Stones.
When Stepping Stones for Success first opened in December of 2003, we had enough funding to house people 23 hours a day, 7 days a week. Stepping Stones is now staffed "24/7" and offers a program aspect for people who require and request assistance in maintaining their housing in Nelson. In 2008 it served 245 individuals as was at an average capacity of 94%.
We would like to continue to provide our clients with relief of hardship around the clock. The shelter accepts donations of food, computer equipment, furniture and household items on an ongoing basis. In particular, bedding, towels, and toilet paper are always needed. Contact Klee Hunter at 250 352 9876 if you can help.
Both Stepping Stones for Success and Ward Street Place demonstrate Nelson CARES Society's keen commitment to ending homelessness and securing affordable housing in Nelson.
Services for Community Living — 521 Vernon Street
Services
for Community Living Residential Program provides for 11 adults with
developmental disabilities and complex health care needs. This program
offers person centred support and assistance with at-home and community
based activities. Some of the individuals are seniors and many have been
in this program for over a decade. Many of our care staff have worked
for the organization for more than 10 years and 5 for more than 20
years! As a result, our residential clients enjoy long-standing
relationships with their caregivers. These are relationships of which we
are proud.
Supported Employment Program — 521 Vernon Street
Supported
Employment Program (formerly Career Development Services) offers
assistance in all aspects of getting and keeping a job that is a good
fit. From start to finish, the dedicated staff are committed to their
clients employment success and partners with the business community to
operate an outstanding recycling business. Partnerships have been
developed with Earth Matters to develop employment opportunities in
their "green" initiatives.
Thank you to the following businesses for their continued support: Cowans Office Supply, Dancing Bear Inn, Hippersons Hardware, Home Building Supply and Shoes for the Soul.
Former SEP Recycling Job coach Melanie Sylvestre
and participant Jason Rempel – Photo courtesy of Della McLeod