Living Wage in Penticton jumps to $24.63 per hour, while minimum wage sits at $17.40 per hour

A sharp spike in the region’s cost of living—primarily due to soaring housing costs and highlighting the region’s affordability crisis—has led Penticton’s living wage to rise to $24.93 per hour, a 3 per cent increase from last year.…

Breaking Down Barriers: Jim Morrison’s Journey to Supporting the Disability Community

Jim Morrison, a successful businessman, never truly understood the struggles faced by people with disabilities—until he was confronted with those challenges firsthand through his brother, Paul. When Paul, who lived outside the region, faced…

Access Centre is looking to expand their reach

In the last year or so we have seen an increased need for outreach services for Disability Applications and Resources and Referrals (whether it be filling out government paperwork, or housing applications etc). Sometimes folks are so barriered…
Access Centre Team

Children’s Fun Event Honoring Indigenous People’s Day

On June 21st the Access Centre team attended our first community event in over two years; a Children’s Fun day in honor of Indigenous People’s day. This event was put on by the Ooknakane Friendship Centre with assistance from the City of…

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…
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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…

Get Your Dance On at the Access Centre’s Disco

It's that time again! Join us Feb 20th at 6pm for a super fun night at our annual fundraiser. Only $30 for a burger, a beer (or glass of wine) and an evening of live performances, mingling, and dancing. We have had so many wonderful, generous…