Located in the Ward Street Place building, Stepping Stones is an emergency shelter for those who find themselves without safe housing in the West Kootenay area. There are 17 available beds in 5 bedrooms, with a common room, kitchen, laundry and shared washroom facilities. Stepping Stones is now double staffed 24/7. With the support from the Nelson Committee on Homelessness (NCOH) and funding from federal Homelessness Partnering Strategy, Stepping Stones was able to put into place the Residential Transitional Support Worker position to provide one-to-one assistance for residents to locate and maintain housing for people who have had numerous stays at Stepping Stones.
567 Ward Street
When Stepping Stones for Success first opened in December of 2004, we had enough funding to house people 18 hours a day, 7 days a week. Stepping Stones is now staffed “24/7″ and offers a program aspect for people who require and request assistance in maintaining their housing in Nelson. In 2009 it served 292 individuals and was at an average capacity of 94%.
We would like to continue to provide our clients with relief of hardship around the clock. The shelter accepts donations of food, computer equipment, furniture and household items on an ongoing basis. In particular, bedding, towels, and toilet paper are always needed. Contact Robert Brown at 250.352.9876 if you can help.
Both Stepping Stones for Success and Ward Street Place demonstrate Nelson CARES Society’s keen commitment to ending homelessness and securing affordable housing in Nelson.