Behind the Doors: How the Penticton Access Centre Supports Our Community
At The Access Centre, we believe that everyone deserves a chance to live with dignity, stability, and hope. Every day, we work alongside individuals and families navigating financial challenges, housing uncertainty, health concerns, and the complex systems that can feel overwhelming.
Our vision is simple: To see all people in our communities have equal and just access to all available support services
A Place Where You’re Heard
For many of the people we serve, visiting The Access Centre is more than a transactional appointment; it’s a safe place to be heard.
Take Alexis (name changed for privacy), for example. She came to us after a sudden personal loss. What she needed most wasn’t forms or paperwork; it was someone to listen and guide her through the next steps. We helped her navigate survivor benefits applications and connected her with grief support, giving her space to begin healing.
Stories like Alexis’ remind us that our work is as much about human connection as it is about services. Every interaction matters.
What We Do
Our team helps with a wide range of supports, including:
- Income and disability assistance applications
- Housing support and advocacy
- Connections to mental health and community resources
- Support navigating government programs
We meet people where they are, whether it’s in crisis, in need of practical guidance, or simply looking for information about what’s available. Our goal is to make systems easier to navigate and reduce the stress that comes with uncertainty.
Our Values
Everything we do is guided by our core values:
- Respect
We treat the people we support, staff, and community partners in a respectful manner by interacting with people we support and each other without judgement; maintaining confidentiality, recognizing the agency of each person to make their own decisions, and by removing stigmas/biases by putting the individual first. Respect is also shown by behaving in a professional manner, and being open to recognizing that everyone has something of value to offer.
- Empowerment
We support people in discovering their own capabilities by encouraging them to make their own decisions, giving them information on their options, and acknowledging the steps they’ve taken. We support staff, volunteers, and partners by providing professional, high quality and relevant training and education in a culturally sensitive manner.
- Equity
We value the concept of equity, and we work towards promoting an equitable society by understanding power imbalances and how this impacts people we support and the broader beliefs in our community, and by using awareness of such inequities and barriers when providing support.
- Safe Environment
We follow protocols which allow for physical safety within the offices and outreach locations. We stay aware of the ways to create a mentally and emotionally safe environment by; providing trauma informed, culturally competent and client centred support, maintaining privacy and confidentiality, and ensuring non-judgemental and supportive communication between people we support, staff, and volunteers. We provide regular debriefing, qualified supervision, and mental health supports as required
- Community
We acknowledge that we exist within numerous communities in our region, other service providers, the Access team, and our clients without resources. We value the relationships we have by doing outreach, fostering stronger connections, collaborating, providing education, and advocating for cultural change. We work to increase accessibility to us and to the greater community.
How You Can Connect With Us
If you or someone you know needs guidance, support, or simply a listening ear, we encourage you to visit our office or reach out online.
Get in Touch
The Access Centre
? 209 – 304 Martin Street, Penticton, BC
? 250-493-6822
? www.accesscentre.org
