Connect Temporary Shelter and Service Hub
CONNECT provides a safe, welcoming space for vulnerable individuals experiencing homelessness. Connect offers 33 temporary shelter beds year-round. In addition, the space offers daytime supports to homeless individuals including space to escape extreme weather, access washrooms, nutrition, harm reduction supplies, clothing, electricity and Wi-Fi as well as other administrative supports and connection to health services. In addition to providing shelter Connects goal is to reduce homelessness by providing assistance and resources to individuals that may assist them in obtaining and maintaining housing.
CVTS is a founding member of the Comox Valley Coalition To End Homelessness.
The Comox Valley Coalition To End Homelessness was established for community partners to work as a collective to plan, coordinate, recommend and implement community responses to homelessness.
Connect opened in January 2020, as a project of the Comox Valley Coalition to End Homelessness
Initially the centres aim was to improve the lives of those experiencing homelessness by providing assisted access to housing opportunities, social connection, referrals to community social and health service, as well as food and other living supports.
In the winter of 2020/21 and 2021/2022 Connect operated as an Extreme Weather Response shelter offering 10 sleeping mats. By winter 2022/2023 Connect expanded to 33 beds and at the end of the winder season in April of 2023 was designated a year-round temporary shelter in response to the increase in the number of individuals experiencing homelessness.
Connect continues to offer a variety of supports in addition to the 33 shelter beds. The average number of client interactions with staff each day at Connect is 191 as of Oct to Dec 2023.
CONNECT is located at 685 Cliffe Avenue in Courtenay
7 days a week, 364 days a year. Generally closed daily for cleaning between 7am-8am, 11:30am to 1pm and 6:30pm to 8pm.
No ins and outs between 11pm and 6am.
Showers are available at the Lewis Centre, 489 Old Island Highway, Monday, Wednesday & Friday, from 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
To contact CONNECT
call 250.218.3975
What people are saying about CONNECT
This place has been a big help in connecting me to a financial support worker that is helping with reintegration and rent for housing. You have been more than kind with me, and I appreciate it.
I have mental health issues and sometimes I have to go to the Transition House for support. Sometimes I don’t trust myself, and it’s frightening. This place helps me feel like support is never far away.”
Through Connect I can get in touch with so many different resources to get my needs met. It’s a safe place to be, with mutual respect, mutual dignity, caring and friendship.”