Inn from the Cold - Kelowna

Our Mission: To respond to the needs of people experiencing homelessness in a welcoming, compassionate and mutually respectful manner.

Our Vision: A community where no person is homeless.

Our Values: We are a society that began in 1999 as an ecumenical group of volunteers dedicated to providing shelter during the coldest winter months to people experiencing homelessness in the community. Today, Inn from the Cold - Kelowna is a volunteer based society that operates as a registered charity that is responsible to the needs of people experiencing homelessness. We value

-    a welcoming environment where our guests are people first,

-    compassion for our guests by delivering services that are inclusive, non-judgmental, and encouraging of our guests, and

-    an atmosphere of mutual respect which incorporates the confidentiality, personal privacy and dignity of our guests, volunteers, and staff.

We provide three programs:

1.  Emergency overnight shelter to people living on the street during the coldest winter months (Nov - Mar) at our shelter located at

     1157 Sutherland Avenue. Intake hours are from 7pm-8pm.

2.  Case management and Outreach Services (year round)

3.  Inn-Home Support Advocacy (year-round program)

Our shelter is a minimal barrier shelter that serves the most vulnerable homeless members of our community.  Women and men are welcomed and a vulnerability assessment to determine bed allocation is completed at intake.  Intake is completed upon referral (self or agency) and beds are assigned for duration of stay. The following are prioritized for service:

-   Couples and adult family members

-   Persons with pets

-   Does not access other shelters

-   Transgendered individuals

-   Persons who work past curfew times (sex trade and traditional employment)

-   Unable to access other services due to bans, time limits, red zone court orders, personal conflicts etc.

     31 beds are made available and 4 are reserved for late night emergency referrals from hospital, rcmp or self referrals.

     Our total shelter capacity is 35.

For more information, or to volunteer, contact: Tara Tschritter, Coordinator Phone: (250) 448-6403 Email: info@innfromthecoldkelowna.org View our pamphlet HERE

The response to the warm-clothing drives from individuals, schools and other volunteer agencies is absolutely incredible.  Words alone cannot express our thanks!

Church of the Nazarene (The Haven), Davidson Road Elementary School, Zena from CFI Okanagan, Sarah in the Athletics & Rec Department of Okanagan College - Pay It Forward group and INVIS-Angels in the Knight as well as many individuals have donated warm clothing, blankets, toiletries and other welcome items for our guests.

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