Cultivating Change
The West Kootenay region is facing a pressing challenge: a rise in homelessness fuelled by colliding crises, including housing shortages, the toxic drug crisis, the rising cost of living and extreme weather events. Addressing homelessness is complex, with many diverse factors contributing to the issue. This underscores the need for innovative and collaborative regional actions.
Planting Seeds of Action and Growing Together
To face these challenges head-on, join us at the third-annual West Kootenay Homelessness Response Summit. We're bringing together a mix of views and expertise to work together on addressing homelessness in the region. We especially welcome those who have experienced homelessness themselves.
This free event is hosted as part of Selkirk College's Bridging Rural Homelessness and Well-being: A Sustainable and Collaborative Regional Response project.
Why Attend?
- Share and learn: Engage with diverse perspectives on rural homelessness and learn from those responding in innovative ways.
- Build relationships: Strengthen connections with others working towards improving the well-being of those experiencing homelessness.
- Collaborate and act: Join forces to generate action ideas, build momentum and leave with concrete steps, fostering community-driven solutions.
Who Should Attend?
Everyone curious about or committed to enhancing the well-being of those experiencing homelessness in the West Kootenay region is invited. This includes individuals with lived experience, social service agency employees, elected officials, government staff, students, Selkirk College employees, representatives from the business community and residents.
While the summit focuses on the communities of Trail, Castlegar and Nelson, participants from other rural communities are warmly welcomed.
Bring Your Curiosity and Ideas!
Every participant is an expert in their lived experiences and has valuable insights to contribute. The summit provides a brave space for connecting and having conversations that may not happen elsewhere. If you have actionable ideas, bring them! Through a facilitated process, you'll collaborate with other participants to turn these ideas into reality, leaving with momentum and steps for action.
Together we can make a lasting difference in our communities. Coming together as a region is one of the most powerful ways to find solutions that work for all of us. Let's collectively address the challenges of rural homelessness and work toward sustainable solutions.
Registration
This event is free. Stay tuned for more information and registration!
To receive updates about this event, please sign up for the project mailing list.
If you have any questions about or ideas for this event, please email Jayme Jones.
Agenda
Show Tuesday, April 29, 2025, 5–9 pm
Join us for an enriching evening of community connection over a shared meal.
Discover innovative solutions and success stories from other communities as local leaders present and advocate for ideas that could transform our community.
Engage in lively debates, vote for the most promising strategies, and be part of the change.
The evening will also explore themes of community and belonging.
Show Tuesday, April 30, 2025, 9 am–5 pm)
Over the course of the day, we will hear from diverse local voices, including people with lived experience, service providers and Selkirk College students.
This will be mixed with facilitated activities that will help develop action ideas and find next steps to keep momentum going after the event.
Lunch and snacks are included.
Acknowledgements
This event is hosted with support from the Nelson Committee on Homelessness.
