WHO WE ARE

Kelowna Women's Shelter is a safe place of refuge for women and their children, and serves the area boundaried by Peachland and Oyama.

"This place is a gift to ALL that need a safe place to stay."

History of Caring

Since 1980, the Central Okanagan Emergency Shelter Society (operated as the Kelowna Women’s Shelter) has offered safe emergency accommodation and essentials such as food, clothing, and toiletries for women and their children who have experienced domestic abuse. Serving women in need from Oyama to Peachland, we also provide ongoing individual and group domestic abuse support, planning and transportation assistance, advocacy and outreach, and preventive education programs for both women and children, all at no cost. All Kelowna Women’s Shelter services, programs, and supports are free, confidential, and available 24/7. The Shelter is a member of the British Columbia Society of Transition Houses, Ending Violence Association of British Columbia, Shelter Net BC, and Women's Shelters Canada. You can find a full list of programs and services, here; and you can learn more about how you can help here.

Kelowna Women's Shelter

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Our Mission

Helping women and children live in safe and equitable communities free from abuse

Our Vision

Break the cycle of Domestic Abuse

Our Core Values

Feminist/Women-Centred:

We acknowledge women and those who self-identify as women have lived different experiences, and we understand that systemic inequality exists. We practice from principles based on equity and equality to counter the impacts of oppression and control.

Excellence:

Committed to researching and delivering evidence-based programs and practices to support staff and help reduce women’s vulnerability.

Collaborative:

We share knowledge, foster positive relationships, and seek input and contributions from internal and external partners.

Empowerment:

We believe women are the experts in their own lives and should have control over all of the decisions which impact them. We do not impose actions on women but strive to provide choice and encouragement.

Safety:

Safety is the fundamental principle of the work we do, and it informs every decision we make. We strive to ensure women and children feel emotionally and physically safe during their stay with us.

Integrity:

We are leaders in the fight to end domestic abuse by demonstrating consistency between our actions, values, and practices.