Prevention is the Best Cure for Homelessness

Many times, a client comes in to the Access Centre angry or frightened because of a dispute with a landlord or perhaps they’ve received an eviction notice. Our legal advocates will often try to negotiate a deal with the landlord if possible…

It’s Tax Time Again!

  It's that time of year again! This year we will be doing the Tax Clinic Monday through Thursday afternoons from 1pm - 4pm (last person in at 3:45pm) at the Access Centre (2nd floor - 304 Martin Street). No need to book an appointment,…

How to Prepare for Raising a Child with a Disability

Access Centre is dedicated to serving disadvantaged individuals in the South Okanagan by offering help and access to various government and community services.   If you’re expecting a child with a disability, you may be unsure about…

Fixed Term Tenancies

We have been receiving a lot of phone calls with questions about fixed term tenancies, here is some information about your rights and responsibilities. A fixed term tenancy means a tenancy agreement that specifies a date for which the tenancy…

Thoughts on Penticton’s Housing Crisis

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A letter to the editor from our Poverty Law Advocate, Christie Fiebelkorn: "In my line of work, we receive countless phone calls from distressed individuals affected by the housing crisis. The calls we receive range…

Free Writings from Marginalized Voices

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Today we are sharing some downloadable 'zines'; short, independent booklets created for public distribution by Indigenous Canadians. Here is a golden opportunity to hear perspectives that are not vetted by the dominant culture, reworded or…

Support for Pathways

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In March, there was some very sad news about our partners at Pathways Addictions Resource Centre in Penticton. Interior Health is reconfiguring its mental health and addiction services and had decided not to continue…

What Does a Family Law Advocate Do?

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What is a family law advocate and what are the responsibilities and the mandate of a family law advocate? I'll start out by saying that I'm not a lawyer because I am not a member of the Law Society. I am trained by the Law Foundation of BC…

Staying Well in a State of Emergency COPING AND ADAPTING TO THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC

Schools, businesses, arts and culture venues, workplaces and social services organizations closed their doors or reduced their hours and capacity. Many people lost their jobs, travel restrictions were imposed and visits to our loved ones in…
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Call for Action to the Federal Government

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This is a letter we sent out on November 26, 2020 Dear Minister Qualtrough, Minister Hussein, Minister Lebouthillier, and Member of Parliament Richard Cannings: I am reaching out to you regarding the issue of in-person services…