Community Connections Society of Southeast BC

Community Connections Society of Southeast BC Community Connections Society of Southeast BC (CCS) is a non-profit charitable organization that provides programs and services to Cranbrook and area

Community Connections Society of Southeast BC (CCS) is a non-profit charitable organization that provides programs and services to Cranbrook and the East Kootenay Region. Since incorporation in 1982, CCS has provided integrated, accessible social services to individuals and families throughout the East Kootenay Region. To respond to community needs we deliver quality services both directly and thr

ough community partnerships. Originally a women’s collective (Cranbrook Women’s Resource Society) formed to provide safe harbor to women fleeing domestic violence; the agency has grown considerably over the years and has taken in new programs in response to emerging local needs. CCS manages two hubs of services; Kootenay Child Development Centre (KCDC and Cranbrook Family Connections (CFC). Both hubs are a combination of programs that are managed by CCS and programs/services that our community partners manage but with whom we share the space and the same philosophy of collaborative service delivery.

We know 2SLGBTQIAA+ folks experience higher rates of housing and food insecurity, violence, and mental health struggles....
06/12/2026

We know 2SLGBTQIAA+ folks experience higher rates of housing and food insecurity, violence, and mental health struggles. This Pride Month we want to remind all that our organization exists to serve the diverse people of this region, including those who identify differently, those who don’t, and those who don’t accept these differences.

We will never refuse care, resources, or humanity to anyone based on gender identity, sexual orientation, race, religion, country of origin, or politics.

We require that clients and the public treat staff and others in our programs and buildings with respect and tolerance. If your expression of your beliefs or opinions gets in the way of someone else’s dignity and humanity, then we can’t do our jobs and you won't be able to access services.

Help us keep CCS a safe and welcoming place for all this Pride Month.

Story time! At our Menstrual Hygiene Day donation drive two weeks ago, we had a couple young boys on bikes come to look ...
06/11/2026

Story time! At our Menstrual Hygiene Day donation drive two weeks ago, we had a couple young boys on bikes come to look at our stickers on the table. We thought they might take one look, get embarrassed and walk away, but this generation is something special!

They didn't know what period poverty is, so we explained it like this.

If a girl in your class at school got her period and didn't have access to hygiene products, do you think she should stay home and miss classes and opportunities other students get? Or should someone help her get what she needs be able to stay present for her education?

Of course they said, "Yes, she should have what she needs."

If you see some young boys with "End Period Poverty" stickers on their bikes, tell them they're awesome.

If you're wondering where to get your own stickers, come down to the CCS Hub at 209A 16th Ave N and donate some period products!

Menstrual hygiene is a human right. Support your local women's centre with a donation of period products. 🥰

Thanks to Sidekick Printing Inc. for the great job on these waterproof, cut stickers! Nicole made the awesome "Support your local women's centre" buttons at YXC Makerspace! You can grab one of those at reception too. 🫶

Liberation is a 6-session virtual social support group with text message follow-up for low-income women who smoke. Are y...
06/09/2026

Liberation is a 6-session virtual social support group with text message follow-up for low-income women who smoke. Are you interested in participating?

Who can participate?
· women 35+ who smoke and have an income lower than $30,000 per
year
· women interested in quitting or reducing smoking
· women interested in connecting and supporting others with similar
life experiences

Liberation Groups will be held weekly over Zoom. You will receive compensation
after the 3rd and 6th session. Contact Nicole Erickson at 250-426-2912 or
[email protected] to learn more.

Liberation is a pilot program. We will refine and further test the program after your input.

With support from the Elizabeth Fry Society of Petersborough, the Elizabeth Fry Society of Greater Vancouver, the Centre of Excellence for Women's Health, UBC BC Women's Hospital + Health Centre.

This study is being led by Dr. Lorraine Greaves and researchers at the Centre of Excellence for Women's Health. The study has been reviewed by UBC/C&W Research and Ethics Board (H25-04180).

Join us in thanking Julie and the staff at the Cranbrook Food Bank for this incredible donation of Joni pads and liners ...
06/04/2026

Join us in thanking Julie and the staff at the Cranbrook Food Bank for this incredible donation of Joni pads and liners for Menstrual Hygiene Day.

Thank you to everyone who donated at our event in Rotary Park! We are prepared for anyone who menstruates. Menstrual care is health care!

If you know you don’t have the funds to pay all your bills this month, think housing first. Here’s what we would do if w...
05/27/2026

If you know you don’t have the funds to pay all your bills this month, think housing first. Here’s what we would do if we missed a paycheque.

PAY YOUR RENT OR MORTGAGE FIRST
If you lose your current housing, you will have a hard time finding anything else and you will pay more for the new place.

Here are the next steps we would take if we missed a paycheque (after paying the rent or mortgage).

1. Call on friends and family - Let your friends and family know you’re in a bind. Ask if they have any odd jobs you can do for cash or trade. If you’ve lost your job, maybe they know someone who would hire you.

Asking for help can be scary. No one wants to be the person who is always needing a hand up. But sometimes we have to be brave.

2. Use what's in the cupboard - Do a quick inventory of your kitchen and pantry. How many days can you go without shopping for food?

Hopefully you’ve prepared for this moment and learned to cook at least simple meals. Can you make the ingredients you have go further with some affordable basics, like rice, flour, or baking powder?

Call your local food bank to find out how to access their services and ask about any other local food helps.

3. Ask for extensions - Look at the other bills you have to cover in the next two weeks to a month. Call all providers and ask for an extension to give you more time to pay them.

4. Sell things you don't use - Focus on higher ticket items first that could help cover your bills.

Don’t sell items that could help you make money through providing a service with skills you have right now. For example, photographers shouldn’t sell their cameras and landscapers shouldn’t sell their lawn mowers.

5. Talk to your kids - Be honest with them about your change of situation.

Let them know that you don’t have extra money right now for fun things. Reassure them that as their parent, you will always make sure they have what they need.

Still can't pay rent?

RENTERS: contact Homeless Prevention ( only) to discuss resources and options.
[email protected] or 778-517-5355

HOME OWNERS: call your mortgage provider and ask about a mortgage payment deferral.

Part of the Angry Uterus Club? 😫♀️ You need a sticker! Join us for our Menstrual Hygiene Day donation drive tomorrow nig...
05/27/2026

Part of the Angry Uterus Club? 😫♀️ You need a sticker!

Join us for our Menstrual Hygiene Day donation drive tomorrow night at Rotary Park. We'll be starting at 6:45 p.m. with a Pelvic Floor Restore class, followed by a Fun Fit aerobics class.

Entry is just a package of period products or cash donation. Each person who donates will receive a special, waterproof sticker that promotes menstrual hygiene rights.

Help us fill Nicole's car with period products! Every person with an angry uterus has a right to menstrual hygiene so they can keep on kicking some butt, no matter what time of the month!

Help your body relax through playing with music! Our next self-compassion workshop for outreach workers and frontline wo...
05/26/2026

Help your body relax through playing with music! Our next self-compassion workshop for outreach workers and frontline workers is Monday, June 1 at 10:30 a.m. or 1 p.m.

Reach out to Jessika at [email protected] to RSVP or ask questions!

Wondering if you're eligible for support through our Community Response and Resilience Program? Any person who, as part of their job or volunteer position, witnesses people using illicit substances or could witness an overdose is welcome to participate. The toxic drug crisis affects us all.

We're excited to have Kate completing her practicum with our free Community Counselling program!Kate Trecartin, BA, BEd,...
05/26/2026

We're excited to have Kate completing her practicum with our free Community Counselling program!

Kate Trecartin, BA, BEd, is a student counsellor who is passionate about supporting folks through the variety of life’s challenges. Her approach is person-centered, grounded in a belief we can all access tools and knowledge that we already carry within ourselves through counselling. Kate works with a trauma-informed lens, understanding that life experiences can deeply impact the way we move in the world, interact with others, and view ourselves.

For the past 13 years, Kate has worked in and out of the Education system, with breaks from teaching to work in the non-profit and service sectors. She has coordinated programming for children in families fleeing domestic violence, facilitated workshops on sexual consent education and taught music programs that focus on emotional regulation through the arts. Before entering her master’s program, Kate worked as an Employment Counsellor with folks who were under and unemployed to help them access upskilling opportunities, navigate career changes and all the other pieces related to employment challenges. Kate’s time as an Employment Counsellor solidified her desire to become a Registered Counsellor.

Kate cares deeply about advocacy for vulnerable and marginalized groups, especially those identifying as neurodiverse and/or 2SLGBTQIA+. She prioritizes Indigenizing and de-colonializing her counselling approach, embracing the lifelong learning process. Kate hopes all her clients feel seen and included in the collaborative and relational counselling experience. Kate believes each person is the expert on their own self, and supports them to discover, understand and empower themselves to tackle challenges, foster healthy relationships and enjoy more well-being in life.

Outside of counselling, Kate is passionate about mountain sports (climbing, skiing, biking etc.) and playing music in the community. Kate is currently working as the school counsellor at Mckim Middle School in Kimberley and is excited to expand her counselling practice to working with adults.

When people have their daily needs met, like hygiene, food and shelter, they can look after more long-term needs, like f...
05/23/2026

When people have their daily needs met, like hygiene, food and shelter, they can look after more long-term needs, like finding meaningful employment, applying for housing, getting medical care, or filling out their census form!

Bring your donations to 209a 16th Ave N during our open hours. Do not leave items outside.

Give a gift of dignity with these much-requested summer items!

- sunscreen
- personal wipes
- hair brushes
- hair elastics
- men's socks
- small women's underwear
- small women's shorts
- towels and sheets

Our Cranbrook Women's Resource Centre also has a donation drive this coming Thursday. Bring a new box of period products to donate as your entry to the awesome outdoor class! May 28 at 6:45 p.m. at Rotary Park.

Meet our counsellor, Wendy Zurrin, BEd, who has recently joined our Community Counselling program to complete her Master...
05/21/2026

Meet our counsellor, Wendy Zurrin, BEd, who has recently joined our Community Counselling program to complete her Master's in Counselling practicum! Wendy is now accepting clients. Fill out our pre-screening form so we can determine eligibility and match you with a counsellor. ccscranbrook.ca/counselling

Wendy is an educator (BEd) and counsellor (Masters in Counselling candidate) who is passionate about supporting individuals, couples, and families as they navigate life’s challenges. Her background in education gives her a deep appreciation for human development and the ways relationships, environments, and life experiences shape who we are. As an educator transitioning into counselling, Wendy brings both professional experience and a deep curiosity about how people grow, struggle, and heal within relationships.

Wendy's counselling approach is relational and collaborative, drawing from attachment theory and family systems perspectives to help clients better understand patterns in their relationships, manage anxiety, and move toward healthier ways of relating to themselves and others.

Through creating a counselling space that feels calm, compassionate, and reflective, Wendy's clients feel understood and supported as they move toward greater clarity, resilience, and connection.

Address

209A 16th Avenue N
Cranbrook, BC
V1C5S8

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 12pm
1pm - 4pm
Tuesday 9am - 12pm
1pm - 4pm
Wednesday 9am - 12pm
1pm - 4pm
Thursday 9am - 12pm
1pm - 4pm
Friday 9am - 12pm

Telephone

+12504262976

Website

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