Ayurveda Workshops for Seniors

Ayurveda is translated as “the Science of Life”. It arose out of Ancient India, and is in the same body of wisdom as Yoga practices. Ayurveda offers a fascinating approach to health and wellbeing, where the human being is seen as part of nature. It offers practical lifestyle approaches that helps us to balance the […]

Emergency Shelter Taken Out of Action

The latest hit on an already overburdened program to shelter Salt Spring Island homeless has taken the facility used for the ‘In From the Cold’ shelter out of action temporarily. “Salt Spring Island Community Services regrets to announce the discovery of the presence of an unhealthy level of mold in the building used by the […]

This Canadian City has Ended its Homelessness Problem

Canadian City Ends Its Homelessness Problem This city ended its homelessness problem, and saved money, by providing housing for every single resident Posted by NowThis on Saturday, 27 February 2016

Salt Spring Island looks for solutions amid high housing insecurity

BRAMWELL RYAN SALT SPRING ISLAND, B.C. — Special to The Globe and Mail Published Sunday, Feb. 28, 2016 9:19PM EST As campers prepare to be evicted from the tent city more than 100 have been calling home for months in nearby Victoria, Salt Spring Island is braced for the possibility that some of them will head their way, […]

Diabetes and Nutrition Workshop

  Diabetes and Nutrition Workshop February 19th  

2015 Christmas Hamper Packing

Watch 50 volunteers pack 175 food hampers for 250+ islanders in need at the Farmers’ Institute. Salt Spring Community Services manages and plans this annual event in addition to managing the food bank year round. The Institute is setup like a store with stations for volunteers to ‘shop’ at food stations managed by other volunteers […]

Emergency Shelter

The Shelter is up and running for the season. It opened on November 6 and since then has been operating every night. Of the twelve nights between Nov. 6 and 17 eight were eligible for BC Housing funding. The average occupancy per night has been 15, ranging from 8 to 23. Alan Hans, a special […]

Housing Committee

We have created a community housing support advisory committee to guide the use of the various rent supplement programs managed by SSICS (Island Health, BC Housing, Homelessness Partnering Strategy). At this point the committee includes SSICS outreach and Housing First staff, Island Health mental health staff, and IWAV staff.

Restorative Justice

Charles Kahn has now stepped down from his coordinating role. He is replaced by Angela Mallard and Darlene Gage. Once the local RCMP staffing situation has settled we will undertake some planning to see how the program can be strengthened and connected with other community safety and justice services.

Myth: Those experiencing homelessness are mentally ill, drug addicts, or alcoholics

Reality: While it’s estimated 25-50% of those affected by homelessness have mental health or substance abuse problems, many face different challenges. These challenges can be the product of an accident, or brought on by the ever-rising costs of food, rent, medication, and other essentials. Homelessness is not always caused by health issues.  It is often caused by […]