Inn-Home Support and Eviction Prevention

Who is involved?  
Clients:   People who live in a home, have either been homeless and/or are at risk of becoming homeless. Inn from the Cold-Kelowna is involved in providing in-home support through matching up an advocate with a client who is at risk of homelessness. Advocates:  All caring individuals of good will are invited to join in this service.

How is the service organized? 
The year-round coordinator of Inn from the Cold-Kelowna has the role of organizing this service.  Service providers and agencies who refer to us: Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA), Kelowna Drop-In Centre, BrainTrust, Living Positive Centre, Urban Outreach Health, Salvation Army, Ki-low-na Friendship Centre, and various transition and shelter houses. As well, Inn from the Cold-Kelowna staff and other agencies may recommend people for this support. The coordinator then matches up a volunteer, called “advocate” to assist in providing support to his or her client. The coordinator also remains in touch with the referring agency to provide updates on progress, to seek advice and to inform the professional outreach worker if his/her help is needed.

What do advocates do?  
The role of advocates is to support and assist adults, couples and sometimes families who have been referred to the Inn from the Cold-Kelowna coordinator by service providers throughout Kelowna.  As advocates, these volunteers may perform a variety of services: 
-offer a listening ear and be a friend in need
-assist client at grocery store or food bank
-assist with filling out forms or budgeting                         
-mediate with a landlord or neighbor
-chat over coffee or go for walks            
-deliver a food hamper,
-accompany client on a visit to the doctor
- support medical requirements (e.g. reminders to take medication),

A very important role of the advocates is to be a link from their client back to the service provider. This can be done through our on-line log entries and phone calls which keep the outreach worker and the Inn from the Cold-Kelowna coordinator up to date.

The Inn from the Cold-Kelowna coordinator can put advocates in touch with professionals for advice or help in assessing the seriousness of a client’s needs.  If the needs of the client become critical - more than is reasonable for a volunteer - the advocate contacts the coordinator and the outreach worker. The outreach worker usually stays actively involved with a client. 

Where does funding come from?
Funding for the year-round coordinator of Inn from the Cold-Kelowna projects has generously been provided through a grant from Service Canada.  Other costs will be covered through donations (financial and in-kind), church organizations, additional grants e.g. Central Okanagan Foundation) and participating service agencies.

How are advocates trained or chosen?
We encourage you to fill out an application form or contact us via phone or email if you have questions. We will provide on-going training and support sessions to those who decide to be advocates. Anyone interested in being an advocate must provide non-judgmental service in keeping with the rights and dignity of all persons, free from religious teaching and respectful of personal boundaries. These concepts can be summed up in the phrase, “persons of good will”.  A criminal record check is also required. 

How can I volunteer or ask a question?
Call Volunteer Coordinator of Inn from the Cold-Kelowna, at 250-448-6403, or go to info@innfromthecoldkelowna.org to volunteer or if you have further questions.

Inn-Home Support/Eviction Prevention Program
                         

Inn From the Cold – Kelowna
info@innfromthecoldkelowna.org