Updated: 2025-07-18
If you are interested in volunteering with the Creston Valley Den Society please send us an email or visit our Contact form.
Please specify what areas you are interested in volunteering in.
We have a very active “Food Brigade” which includes:
- Making Sandwiches
- Cooking our hot meals and filling our freezer
- Prepping food and cleaning up at the drop-in warming centre program
We have other volunteer opportunities as well which include:
- Helping to distribute supplies to the unhoused and marginally housed.
- Helping to take inventory of our outreach materials.
- Helping to set up tents as needed.
- Helping with laundry; currently this is done at the laundromat. We launder sleeping bags, inserts, and other belongings.
- Other tasks as they become necessary.
Additional Outreach Activities
Much of our work with individuals and families requires us to follow obligations of confidentiality, so we are not able to identify specific individuals we have been assisting. We can say that our outreach work has continued with local unhoused and marginally housed persons we have served previously, as well as helping new or returning unhoused and marginally housed community members orient and access local, regional and provincial services.
We have been fortunate to have been able to form a solid working Board and volunteer roster of individuals who have already developed trusting relationships with many of our unhoused folks – through the Out of the Cold program and other past and current professional and volunteer work. Knowledge of this local community and individuals’ histories has in many instances been invaluable to our effectiveness, and to being regarded as trustworthy by unhoused and marginally housed citizens of our town.
One or more Den members check in with the unhoused and marginally housed every day – at camp, elsewhere in the community, and over text.
Here are some other examples of outreach activities:
- The Den has a Food Brigade: Individuals and churches drop off sandwiches to the current tent encampment every day. We also organize a monthly volunteer cooking bee at the Trinity Church to prepare nutritious meals in bulk which are frozen and then reheated and delivered to unhoused and marginally housed people where they are sheltering.
- Every two weeks one or more Board members meet with and update the Outreach Worker from the Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction and the Interior Health Outreach Nurse (both traveling from Cranbrook). We connect them with unhoused and marginally housed people needing their services, and stay in regular text communication for follow up, and as needs arise.
- Escort unhoused people to Service BC, the Creston Public Library, the Creston & District Community Complex, appointments, and other services when assistance is needed.
- Helped some unhoused and marginally housed folks keep track of appointments and give reminders (eg: court, doctor’s appointments.)
- Helped at least five unhoused individuals get reinstated with benefits and/or identification for future support.
- Helped unhoused and marginally housed people reconnect with family or friends who have lost touch and are reaching out, concerned about their well-being, and wanting to provide assistance.
- Are constantly building partnerships with Creston agencies like Gleaners, the Women’s Shelter, the Creston Public Library, churches, service clubs, and more to enhance services for all and fill in gaps.
- Help clients who desire drug treatment to connect with doctors and appropriate service workers.
- Work with individuals to access housing programs, such as subsidized housing and accommodation for seniors and people with disabilities.
- Liaise with citizens who have questions or concerns about individuals who are unhoused and marginally housed and look at options for intervention or support to both meet needs and reduce conflict.
- Provided crisis and suicide intervention and accompaniment to hospital when needed.
- Assist individuals in accessing emergency medical care if required.
- Work with local law enforcement in crisis situations and regularly liaise about community matters of public safety.
- Engage in general and Human Rights advocacy and support for unhoused and marginally housed folks, to ensure they are treated fairly, and their rights are respected when interacting with institutions and authorities.
- Distribute harm reduction supplies, along with snacks, water, pet food, sunscreen, and hygiene supplies. This was especially important during the heat of summer, and when there were few meal programs running.
- Work closely with KCSS and the Women’s Shelter. Collaborate frequently to find solutions or a safe place/shelter for women fleeing violence, when their facility is full.
- Frequently provide funds and/or transportation for showers and laundry.
- Have helped with gas and food money for out of town medical appointments.
- Distributed clothing and shoes/boots and sleeping bags to unhoused and marginally housed people, often after-hours or on an emergency basis.
- Engage in regular, supportive dialogue regarding unhoused and marginally housed persons specific situation(s) and needs, helping individuals identify options short and medium term.
- Procured camping supplies and cold weather necessities and assisted people in moving, cleaning, and setting up a new semi-sheltered camp.
- Continue to provide necessities for survival in cold weather.
As you can see from the above, much of our outreach and volunteer efforts have been focused on assisting unhoused and vulnerable community members meet the basic necessities of life: food, hygiene, shelter, and health care. When these are relatively stable, individuals are in a much better place to make decisions and take steps toward their own self-reliance, access specific services, and plan for the future.
Survival comes first, but so many good things can come after.