NELSON STREET OUTREACH PROGRAM

This program began in October 2016 as a way to provide a caring, comprehensive, and direct response to the immediate and longer-term needs of Nelson’s growing ‘street culture’ population. Services are offered throughout the year from Monday to Friday during daytime hours. To reach the team please call 250-777-3993.

OUR PHILOSOPHY

We believe that all individuals who rely on a community’s ‘street culture’ to live and/or survive are valued community members and have the right to receive support and access stabilization services in a manner that respects their dignity, their strengths, and their right to choose.

 

 

 

 

OUR MISSION

Our Mission is two-fold:

  1. To work in collaboration with relevant service providers to identify members of Nelson’s ‘street culture’ population, assess their immediate and long-term needs for health, safety, and basic needs, and offer a range of supports and services designed to meet these needs.
  2. To support downtown business owners and the general public in their increased understanding, tolerance, and acceptance of the challenges of the ‘street culture’ population and to foster a culture of mutual respect.

 

 

 

OUR SERVICES

Through a trauma-informed, health promotion, harm reduction, social inclusion, and education lens, we offer:

  • Assessment of needs
  • Support & advocacy
  • Information & referrals Crisis intervention
  • Accompaniment
  • Inclusion activities
  • Public education
This program currently relies solely on grants and donations from our community.
If you support the work of this program and would like to see it continue,
then please consider making a donation.
All donations over $20 are tax receipt-able.
Donate Now Through CanadaHelps.org!
Here is an opportunity to support this program.

OUR TEAM & OUR TRAINING

Ryall and Jeremy

Our team is made up of two street outreach workers, two peer support volunteers, and a program manager. Nursing students from Selkirk College accompany us on the streets.

Our training includes Mental Health First Aid, Basic First Aid/CPR, Assessment, Case Management, Non-Violent Crisis Intervention, Privacy/Info sharing, Drug Information, Naloxone, Mental Health and Substance Use, Health Precautions & Personal Safety

 

 

In our Pilot Year, we:

  • Served 284 unique individuals (72% male; 27% female; 1% non-binary; 20% absolute homeless; 30% temporarily housed; 50% housed but at-risk)
  • Made 284 referrals (including 86 to addictions treatment)
  • 2,783 interventions (basic needs, referrals, emergencies, etc.)
  • Made 7 presentations
  • Started “Street Soccer” team

  • Jeremy Kelly

    Street Outreach Worker

    Jeremy has been with NCS since 2016. background in community support work.

  • Ryall Giuliano

    Street Outreach Worker

    Ryall has been with NCS since 2016. BA (Philosophy), Graduate Diploma in Environmental Education and Communication.

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