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. We offer safe home and outreach services through Stopping the Violence (STV) programs. The STV Programs 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
Kootenai Community Centre provides safety, shelter, support, advocacy and resources for women who have been impacted by abuse. KCCS provides quality, enriching child care to Creston Valley families.
Our Mission: To assist and empower women and their children to break free from the cycle of family violence.
Our VIsion: Everyone has the right to live with safety, dignity and equality.
Guiding Beliefs: ● Everyone has the right to a life free of violence. ● Women have the right to make choices in their own lives. ● The role of staff is to educate and empower clients to make choices and accept responsibility for those choices. ● Everyone has the right to be treated with dignity and respect. ●Everyone has the right to services that are delivered in a professional, nonjudgmental and sensitive manner considering diverse cultures. ● Every child has the right to live in a safe and protected environment which fosters optimum physical, cognitive, emotional, spiritual and social growth. ● We will recognize a family unit as it is defined by its members. ● All matters are considered confidential except where dictated by law. ● We endeavor to provide the best possible information and support available. This may include, but is not limited to, advocacy, referrals, resources, and case conferences. ● Services are delivered on a case by case basis, allowing for unique and/or specific client needs . ● Education regarding Survivors of Intimate Partner Violence and women’s issues is an effective, proactive form of prevention and empowerment . ● Survivors of Intimate Partner Violence deserve support and information as they continue their “journey of healing”.
History of KCCS
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.