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ABOUT KCCS
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Crisis Line  
(250)428-6856
 
Kootenai Community Centre Society (KCCS) Is a not-for-profit organization and registered charity. We provide a variety of programs and services to women and their children within the Creston Valley and the East Shore of Kootenay Lake.
 
We offer a Safe Home (Irvine House), 2nd Stage Housing Program (Lela's Place), and Outreach services in support of the Stopping the Violence (STV) Program. These services provide a safe, secure, and supportive environment for women and their children who have suffered, or are suffering domestic abuse, are in crisis, or in need of a housing alternative. KCCS assists in the role of advocating, resourcing, referral services, assisting with documents and legal terminology, as well as alleviating the mindset of being alone. We can be accessed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week through our Crisis Line.
 
In addition, KCCS is the owner and operator of Teddy Bear Daycare for children 30 months to kindergarten, and Grizzly Bear Out of School Care for school aged children to 12 years. These licensed care centres support families and enrich the lives of children through active/quiet, indoor/outdoor, and individual/group activities. Our childcare programs are inclusive and will accommodate different disabilities and challenges for special needs children with qualified staff, offering educational and developmental activities for all.​

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”.
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History of KCCS

In 1993, Kootenai Community Centre Society (KCCS) started as Creston Community Resource Centre Society, managing the Irvine House Safe Home .  In 1994, the society changed its name to Kootenai Community Centre Society (KCCS). 

In 2001, 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 (Irvine House) & Outreach Services
Access to Benefits Program
Creston Valley Child Care Society merged with Teddy Bear Day Care ​
Advocacy Programs
New Office, Second Stage Housing (Lela's Place) locations

In 2003 KCCS and Teddy Bear Daycare joined forces to provide daycare services for children and families in the Creston Valley.  
Presently we are looking to continue the success of existing programs, KCCS seeks to expand preventive initiatives for empowering women and youth and the community through various supports, programs and groups.