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SUNSHINE COAST COMMUNITY SERVICES SOCIETY
Sunshine Coast Community Services Society is a community-based organization that has been providing services for people on the Sunshine Coast since 1974.
About Sunshine Coast Community Services
Sunshine Coast Community Services is a non-profit organization dedicated to making the community stronger, safer and more resilient. They support over 5,000 community members through more than 30 programs and services in four key areas – Community Action and Engagement; Together Against Violence; Child and Family Counselling; and Family, Youth and Children’s Services.
Their programs support pregnant women and new parents, families, children, youth, adults, and seniors through crisis response, support programs, housing, and advocacy. They are honoured to provide services on the unceded, ancestral and traditional lands of the shíshálh (Sechelt) Nation and the Skwxwu7mesh Uxwumixw (Squamish Nation).
Housing Partners
Vancouver coastal health
bc housing
Arrowhead clubhouse
Housing Projects
Building Together
Affordable Housing
In 2021, Sunshine Coast Community Services (SCCSS) embarked on a mission to support those who need us most – Building Together. They will build new, affordable housing specifically for women and children on top of a redeveloped space for their support programs that the entire community can access.
Building Together will make our community safer and more resilient – because when our most vulnerable are taken care of, we all benefit.
This project will provide the following benefits to the community:
- 34 units of affordable women’s housing located at 5638 Inlet Avenue in Sechelt operated by SCCSS.
- A redeveloped community space that is purpose-built and better able to accommodate programs, while continuing to meet current and emerging community needs.
- The addition of a commercial kitchen and food programming space to increase the community’s access to nutritious food and food bank services.
- Increased safety and security of the neighbourhood through thoughtful design that will increase lighting, improve the pedestrian walkway, increase organized activities and build connections between neighbours.
Thyme Second Stage Program
Transition House
Thyme Second Stage Program is a second stage transition house for women and children fleeing abuse. Women and children at Thyme receive safe, affordable housing, referrals, advocacy and support, in a confidential location, for 12-18 months while they rebuild their lives and make community connections. Personal support for women and children means the provision of crisis and emotional support, safety planning, access to information, education regarding the dynamics and impacts of violence against women and children and how to heal from these impacts.
Yew Transition House
Transition House
The fear of violence affects all women. Yew is a safe place for women of colour, First Nations women, women of differing abilities, lesbians, bisexual, queer women, trans women, heterosexual women, women of all ages, women with children, women without children.
Legacy Housing
Supportive Housing
Since 2011, SCCSS has managed and operated Legacy Housing, a two-storey building with eight affordable rental apartments for people living with mental illness who are at risk of homelessness in the community. Arrowhead Clubhouse, where support services and community programs for the tenants are delivered, is located next door. This housing provides those living with mental illness who are at risk of homelessness with access to safe, supportive housing in the community of Sechelt.
It is operated as a partnership between Arrowhead Clubhouse; Sunshine Coast Community Services Society; and Vancouver Coastal Health.
Keeping People Housed
Loan Program
Keeping People Housed offers an interest-free loan to families and individuals on the Sunshine Coast who meet the eligibility requirements during a temporary and unexpected financial crisis.
This loan program will help members of the community with unexpected and temporary crises for rental arrears or essential utilities. Re-payment is made monthly through their bank account. The program is made possible in part from Sunshine Coast Credit Union, the Co-Operators and Sunshine Coast Community Services.
The loans ($1,300 maximum for a single person and $1,800 for families) can be used for:
- rental arrears/past due
- utility arrears/past due
- security deposits