John Howard Society of Okanagan & Kootenay Back to Provincial Site

Shelter services are just that, everyone deserves a safe place to lay their heads, have a meal, and a place they can feel safe. We go the extra mile and provide life skills and case management for our residents through skilled staff as well as advocacy and health supports.

We offer services to couples and people with pets so that they are not held back by their relationships.

The pillars of Cornerstone’s operating mission are safety & shelter. Cornerstone opened in 2017 and works to follow the “meet people where they’re at” mindset. The need for positive relationship building is essential to creating community and being a good neighbour, and we encourage residents in doing so as we endeavour to move forward in their housing goals.

There are currently 80+ guests who stay in Cornerstone every night.

In masonry, a cornerstone is the first stone set in the construction of a foundation. For many homeless individuals in Kelowna, Cornerstone is the point of access to the continuum of housing services available in Central Okanagan.

SERVICES AVAILABLE

  • 24 Hour shelter beds (Pets welcomed) 
  • Hot lunch and dinner
  • Showers
  • Laundry
  • Housing search/referral
  • Clothing and shoe referrals/ vouchers
  • Detox referrals
  • Medical referrals
  • Harm reduction and overdose prevention
  • Minimal storage
  • Safe space from all forms of discrimination

“Harm reduction values life, choice, respect and compassion over judgement, stigma, discrimination and punishment.”

Overdose prevention saves lives!

Cornerstone Statistics

  • 30% are indigenous
  • 82.5% struggle with addiction 
  • 51.25% report as having mental health issues 
  • 53% have a concurrent addiction and mental health issues 
  • 42/80 individuals had completed vulnerability assessments
  • Female 31% Male 67% LGBTQ+ 2% Non-Binary .5%
  • OPS average daily use: inhalation: 220 Injection: 130
  • Average overdoses attended to monthly: 8
  • 110 residents saved 
  • 42 non-residents saved

For more information on Cornerstone Shelter Services, please contact us at:
The goals of our Cornerstone Shelter Services are to:
  • Cornerstone provides a warm indoor environment that is open 24/7 for adults of assorted circumstances, including couples and individuals with pets
Admission criteria:
  • 19+ and without a home

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