Kootenai Community Centre Society is a non-profit organization and registered charity. We provide various programs and services to women and their families within the Creston Valley and east shore of Kootenay Lake. The main focus is towards our Stopping the Violence programs - which provide a safe, secure, and supportive environment for women and their children who are victims of domestic violence, are in crisis, or in need of a housing alternative. We can be accessed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Registered Charity #: 859233439RR0001 Our Vision
Our vision is to assist and empower women and their families to live violent-free lifestyles – which exemplifies safety, equality, dignity for everyone involved.
History of KCCS
Beginning in 1993, Kootenai Community Centre Society (KCCS) started as Creston Community Resource Centre Society. At this time, Geri Hunter managed a single Stopping the Violence program contract – the Irvine House Safe Home Program. In 1994, the society changed its name to KCCS due to name conflicts with another community society.
In addition to the Stopping the Violence contract, KCCS managed a part-time Police Based Victim Service contract held by the Town of Creston with the help of volunteers.
In 2001, management and leadership moved to Lendina Bambrick - who was hired to manage the Safe Home contract. At this time, KCCS expanded by adding more support workers and a 24 on-call crisis line. These additions created a wave of expansion and success for the organization. Over the next 15 years, KCCS would add the following programs and services under its umbrella:
Safe Home & Outreach Services for Older Women;
Creston Valley Child Care Society merges – Teddy Bear Day Care added;
Advocacy Programs;
Youth Programs;
New Office, Safe Home, Supportive Housing locations;
P.A.R.T.Y. Program host; and
New Life Furniture & Recycling – social enterprise designed to fund KCCS programs;
In 2015, the Executive Director role moved to new leadership. Looking to continue the success of existing programs, KCCS seeks to expand preventive initiatives for empowering women and youth through various supports and groups.