Every Wednesday from 2-4pm CCS operates a satellite office for the Ministry’s Community Integration Specialist. If you require social services assistance, income assistance, of poverty reduction support from programs offered by the Province of British Columbia, please contact Alicia, (250) 521-0829. The Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction focuses on providing British Columbians in need with a system of supports to help them achieve their social and economic potential.

If you are unhoused or facing housing challenges, please contact Jennie with CDS. Jennie is in Castlegar Tuesday and Thursday from 8:30 – 3:30 and can be reached at (250) 921-9215. CDS is an organization that has been in providing services to the Lower Columbia Region since 1989. CDS started out by providing employment supports to individuals with significant barriers to employment and within the context of delivering these services it became very clear one of the biggest obstacles to maintaining employment was the fact that they struggled with housing issues. CDS began actively working on finding solutions to address issues of homelessness and relative homelessness “off the side of our desk”. With no resources dedicated to implement a consistent and cohesive plan to create and sustain supportive housing for those who are homeless or marginally housed in our community, CDS began forging the framework to what is today the Getting to Home: Addressing Homelessness in Greater Trail (GTH) program. In 2007, in an effort to improve the housing situation for low-income Trail residents, CDS created a social enterprise business that provides rental maintenance services for absentee as well as local landlords in order to assist them to maintain their rental units and provide options for housing for the individuals we support. This social enterprise now contracts with several property owners in the community to maintain over 90 rental units. A CDS job coach works with individuals being paid minimum wage to complete work such as: painting, repairing walls, replacing plumbing, laying flooring, cleaning, replacing or repairing doors and locks and so on. This project has been a very successful both for improving the quality of lower cost rental housing in the community and for engaging individuals with marginal employability skills into the workforce.

Castlegar Pride began as a Facebook group named CPG (Castlegar Pride Group) in 2012 and evolved in 2019 to become a group that meets monthly to create social, educational and support opportunities for our community. For a newsletter subscription, please email castlegarpride@gmail.com.

CCS hosts a satellite office in Castlegar for the Nelson Cares Advocacy Centre every second Thursday. If you require legal information and would like to meet with the community advocate, please contact Dawn at (250) 608-0589. The Advocacy Centre is a non-profit, community-based organization which provides legal information, education and problem solving for low-income residents of the West Kootenays. We also provide specialized victim assistance to victims of relationship violence, sexual assault and child abuse. The Advocacy Centre provides advocacy to individuals as well as workshops and presentations on legal issues. It has long been a voice in the community speaking to issues of poverty and discrimination. Our work and the materials we produce focus on topics such as welfare, family law, tenancy, women’s safety and poverty survival. Our advocacy services are free of charge. Since 1998, the Advocacy Centre has helped educate, train and support Nelson citizens free of charge. Funding comes from the Province of British Columbia, The Law Foundation of BC, Legal Aid BC and the Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General.

The Kootenay Boundary Community Services Co‑operative (The Koop) brings together community service agencies from across the Columbia Basin and Boundary region to strengthen collaboration, share resources, and support positive social impact. By joining the Koop network — whether through governance, working groups, or board involvement — you can help shape regional planning, build partnerships, and contribute to innovative initiatives that enhance well-being throughout our communities. CCSS is a member of the KOOP.

The Rural Empowered Drug Users Network (REDUN) is grounded in peer support, empowerment, and community-led engagement for people who use drugs and their families or allies. Volunteers and contributors play a vital role in supporting peer education, advocacy, community gatherings, and awareness-building throughout the region. If you believe in harm reduction, lived experience leadership, and inclusive community action, we’d love your involvement. CCSS facilitates REDUN meetings at our sites.

The Castlegar Integrated Services Collaborative (CISC) brings together community service providers, organizations, and individuals who share a passion for supporting vulnerable populations and strengthening local systems of care. CISC thrives on collaboration, shared insight, and coordinated action, working together to improve outcomes for individuals and families across the region. If you believe in connection, cooperation, and meaningful community impact, we invite you to join CISC’s efforts — whether by participating in working groups, attending meetings, or contributing your expertise to collective initiatives that build stronger supports for everyone. CCSS attends these meetings.