HistoryOrganization History
The Central Okanagan Emergency Shelter Society has been offering services to the area since 1977. Some high points of the Shelter's background are as follows:
1977 Opened as an Adult Emergency Shelter by the Central Okanagan Social Planning Society (COSPS). 1979 An evaluation of services indicated that the need was for a shelter for women and their children only. 1980 Official opening as a shelter for women and their children with a special focus on counselling for women who have been abused. 1980 House purchased by COSPS through Canada Mortgage and Housing. 1981 Central Okanagan Emergency Shelter Society was incorporated under the B.C. Societies Act as a registered charity. Shelter services included crisis intervention and support counselling, education and information on violence against women. 1987 A regular weekly drop-in Support Group was established for abused women. 1990 A Supportive counselling and activity program was added for children who were residents of the Shelter with their mothers. 1991 Expansion of the Shelter facility through CMHC with wheelchair access, to include seven bedrooms three offices and a meeting room. Addition of a full time Community Support Worker to provide services to women and children following their stay at the Shelter. 1993 B.C. Provincial Funding of the Children Who Witness Abuse Program. 1996 The Community Support Program was eliminated and replaced with a part time Client Resources Coordinator who combined the facilitation of the weekly Support Group, with Self Esteem Workshop three times a year and a small amount of community support. 1998 "Inside/Out" a teen violence prevention pilot project was held which combined support with education in a group setting at two local secondary schools. 2000 Expansion of a balcony off the dining room with a recycling shed. 2002 Shared Management Model implemented. Life Skills Groups reinstated with monies from grants. The Shelter Enhancement Project with renovations of the downstairs residence and office area as well as an expansion of a new play room, a Board / staff / group room and a third floor through CMHC and other donors. 2004 Renovation of the kitchen / dining area, living room / hall and front entrance through community donors. 2005 Implementation of the Louise Granofsky Shapiro Project to refurbish the C.W.W.A. Group Room and the Playroom. Additional renovations to residential bathrooms and administrative area.
2009 Grand Opening of WISH (2nd Stage Residence) thanks to funding from Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation and many other generous community donors. Establishment of The Creativity Room, a space where clients of the Shelter can pursue healing activities such as art, yoga, music and relaxation. This project was made possible by the generous donation from the Wild Women, Wise Women Foundation. The Shelter commissions a beautiful painting by internationally renowned artist Alex Fong. The art is used to raise funds and awareness for the Shelter through limited edition prints and art card sets. Partnership with the YM-YWCA of the Central Okanagan to Girls Night Out at the Y, Agents of Change: Young Voices Against Violence Creative Communication Contest, and the 4th Annual Power of Being a Girl Conference. Expansion of the Inside/Out Violence Prevention Program to include more school and community groups per year, and more workshops and presentations for young people. The program now includes children and youth from age 5 right up to post-secondary, and is offered to both boys and girls.
2010 Completion of renovations to improve the playground, upgrade security, add a private client entrance with storage and update the upstairs bedroom and bathroom areas. Funding for this project was generously provided by the Shelter Enhancement Program through the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation.
The first annual Shelter from the Storm Radiothon is held in Kelowna, thanks to partners The Canadian Women's Foundation, BMO, HomeSense/Winners, Rogers and Q103.1 Radio.
