The many essential services provided by Salt Spring Island Community Services are open and busy. Increasing capacity in program areas providing basic needs and supports to vulnerable people is a priority. Program staff, managers and administration are on duty, with some working from home where possible. SSICS has worked diligently to adapt services to address COVID-19 risks. Public contact is limited and physical distancing measures are in place. General access to SSICS buildings is limited and regulated. Group activities in all program areas are suspended at this time.
Thanks for your patience and cooperation in helping us to keep services running in a healthy and safe manner. Thanks as well to the generous donations and messages of support. Need is expected to increase in the upcoming months for food, emergency supports and housing. SSICS will rely on community support to meet the challenge.
MAIN OFFICE
268 Fulford-Ganges Road
Reception and managers are available 9 am – 4 pm Monday to Friday to receive phone calls, donations and other drop-offs. Public access is via the window adjacent to the main entrance. Call 250-537-9971 or e-mail connect@ssics.ca.
Receiving Donations
We are no longer accepting any clothing donations for the shelter. For continued updates on best how to give during this time, please check here.
Program and Service Details
COUNSELLING AND FAMILY DEVELOPMENT
Counselling Services, including Child, Youth and Family Services and the Adult Community Counsellor will continue in an adapted fashion by phone, on-line video counselling, or in-person with physical distancing protocols. New child and youth referrals are accepted through the Navigator. Call 250-537-9971.
For Special Services to Children inquiries call 250-537-6733.
EMERGENCY SHELTER
The In From the Cold Shelter is open 6 pm-11 am. The usual capacity is reduced due to physical distancing protocols. Intake will be completed by shelter staff in the evening, and at this point only those having gone through intake will be accepted for shelter.
An additional limited resource has been established to shelter vulnerable individuals (age, health). Intake is through Housing First. Call 250-537-9971
HOUSING FIRST AND OUTREACH
Housing First staff are available Monday to Friday by phone, and in-person with physical distancing protocols. Call 250-537-9971 or e mail scordes@ssics.ca
Showers, laundry, phone and internet access is available Monday to Friday 9:30 am-2:30 pm at 268 Fulford-Ganges Road. Sign in at Outreach Building and expect some waiting due to the one-at-a-time system.
A take-out evening meal is available at 6 pm to all shelter users and unsheltered individuals at 268 Fulford-Ganges Road (lower level of the main building).
FOOD PROGRAMS
Food Bank services are available every Tuesday. Expect waiting due to physical distancing protocols. A new online option is now in place for ordering prior to Tuesday http://www.ssics.ca/food-bank link. Delivery for seniors and disabled is available. Call 250-537-9971.
Harvest Farm in the Burgoyne Valley is gearing up for more production this year to supply SSICS Food programs.
Second Harvest Food Recovery has scaled back, but is still operating to collect excess food from grocers and elsewhere and re-direct to use in meal and food bank programs.
Applications for Farmers Market Coupons are available at https://harvestsaltspring.ca/programs/harvest-market Donations are welcomed to expand this popular program that benefits families, seniors, and people with disabilities by subsidizing their purchases from local growers.
Tuesday Let’s Do Brunch and other meal and group events are suspended for now.
MENTAL HEALTH DROP IN
Yellow Sub Mental Health Drop-in Group is suspended for now. Individual supports are available by phone, on-line video counselling, or in-person with physical distancing protocols. Call 250-537-9971 or e-mail at dkameka@ssics.ca
SENIORS’ SERVICES
The Seniors’ Wellness Program has been adapting to the demands and restrictions due to COVID19. As a result Better at Home services requiring direct contact and in-home supports such as house-keeping and home repair have been temporarily limited to existing clients with urgent needs for the time being. We are still available for reassurance calls and “friendly visits” by phone for those seniors who would like someone to check in with them during this time. We are also offering transportation to appointments while Salt Spring Seniors Services Society driving program is suspended as well as prescription pick-ups if clients are unable to get deliveries through their pharmacies. Inquiries about reassurance calls, errands and transportation needs can be made to the SSICS main office 250-537-9971.
Prepared meals will be available to seniors through SSICS Food Security Program mid-May to a limited number of seniors to start. However we will try to accommodate more seniors as systems get in place. Inquiries can be made to Melanie Morris at 250-221-9416.
We are referring grocery shopping to Copper Kettle who have a roster of volunteer drivers to shop and deliver groceries. Please call 250-537-5863 for more information and bookings.
Group activities and events are suspended for now including: Van Excursions, Active Aging, and Seniors Wellness events.
RECYCLE DEPOT
349 Rainbow Road
The Recycle Depot is open 10 am -5 pm Tuesday to Saturday. Expect some waiting due to limitations on how many people we are allowing to access the depot at a time. We are accepting all the usual materials with the exception of scrap metal and large appliances. There is no recycling of scrap metal or large appliances at this time.
VICTIM SERVICES
Victim Services is available Monday to Friday. Call 250-537-5555 (RCMP non emergency) or email victimservices@ssics.ca.
FAMILY PLACE
120 Park Drive
During this time of physical distancing, Family Place is offering phone and online 1-1 counselling, parent education ZOOM groups and parent- child Zoom drop in groups.
Food Bank Pick up is now on Wednesdays 12:00-3:00 starting May 6, 2020.
Please feel free to call or email for any inquiries.
Program Coordinator, Hannah Kahane
Phone: (250) 537-9176
Family Counsellor, Maryanne Benwood
Phone: (250) 537-9938
email Family Place
Check https://www.facebook.com/ssi.family.place/ for updates.
Group programs are suspended for now including: Community Kitchen, Stay & Play Drop-in, and Dad n’ Me Pancake Breakfast.
SERVICES FOR DEVELOPMENTALLY DISABLED
CLBC services, including Day Programming, Individual Support and Supported Housing are continuing with adaptations for physical distancing. The Friends Day Program has adapted group programming and supports individuals in creative ways to maintain an effective frequency and quality of contact and support.
OTHER
Core Inn Drop In and Harvest Kitchen Café are closed for now due to COVID-19 and renovations at 134 McPhillips Avenue.
The Climbing Wall at 268 Fulford-Ganges Road is closed for now.
The WorkBC office in the SSICS Main building at 268-Fulford-Ganges Road is closed to the public but available by phone during office hours: 250- 931-7687
