Support & resources
With this initiative, our goal is to promote great opportunities for those in need. With access to the right resources, people can become empowered by their own abilities and gain the confidence to fulfil their potential.
Access Centre
The Access Centre changes lives through poverty advocacy, awareness, and action. The barriers that Access Centre clients face often feel insurmountable to them. We work with them to break down those barriers step by step so that they can move forward in their lives.
QMUNITY
QMUNITY is what happens when queer, trans, and Two-Spirit folks looking for a sense of community come together to meet, guide, and support each other.
Mens Health Initiative
Building a resilient community by empowering one child, one individual, one family at a time. Our LGBTQ/2S initiative is made possible through support from the Vernon Jubilee Hospital Foundation, Shuswap North Okanagan Division of Family Practice, and Trans Care BC.
SOWINS
South Okanagan Women in Need offers programs and services that provide shelter, safety and support by helping individuals recognize, understand and overcome the impacts of abuse. Their services are provided to individuals who have experienced, or who are at risk of experiencing violence or abuse in the South Okanagan (from Summerland to Osoyoos and from Naramata to Keremeos).
Okanagan Gender Identity Group (OGIG)
This is a low barrier and inclusive space for trans, nonbinary, gender-nonconforming, gender-queer, intersex and gender questioning people living in Kelowna or the surrounding area to discuss various topics while providing and obtaining peer support. Group meetings are currently held on Discord every Tuesday from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM to maintain safe distance during the COVID-19 pandemic. Visit the Facebook page to join the group
2 Spirit of BC Online Talking Circle
An ongoing group for indigenous2 Spirits/LGBTIQ+ living in British Columbia
Tuesdays – 8pm
Okanagan College Students’ Union
The Okanagan College Students’ Union stands in solidarity and allyship with our members from marginalized communities/our members who experience discrimination/our members from BIPOC communities/our members who experience systemic oppression/our members burdened by legacies of discrimination, and all people who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, gender queer, two-spirit, and all other non-binary identities. We see you, you are valid, you are important, you are loved.
HIMs Online Events
Due to COVID-19 HIM has had to change many of the ways we deliver our regular programs. For the foreseeable future, most of HIM’s regular social health events, programming and interventions will take place online, and will now be available to GBT2Q across the province. For a full calendar of events
OutsideIn
HIM is pleased to share this new intervention to help men who are “less out” about their sexuality, find information and tools to safely and confidentially access mental, sexual and social health in the community. The multi-pronged intervention (OutsideIN) includes a website resource and accompanying awareness campaign which aim to build empathy and understanding among the GBT2Q community toward the fact that outness is different for everyone. We invite members of the GBT2Q community to learn more and start unpacking the complexities of outness. The site also features a resources section for healthcare providers.
Four Feathers Society
The Four Feathers Society is a tribe of Aboriginals living in British Columbia who self-identify as being two-spirit, gay, lesbian, Transgender, Bi-sexual, Intersex, and/or Queer. The society strives to provide opportunities to its members to strengthen and heal their spirits, hearts, minds and physical well-being. It achieves this goal through the power of weaving (networking), community events, education and creative expression. The society is founded on First Nations’ spiritual practices, and
upholds the values of honour and respect, which serve to promote healthy and serene living.
Health Initiative for Men (HIM)
Health Initiative for Men (HIM) is a non-profit society that aims to strengthen the health and well-being of gay men, bi men, trans men, two-spirit and queer people (GBT@Q). We offer the full spectrum of sexual health testing, as well as professional counselling, sexual health education, and an engaging mix of social and volunteer opportunities. To learn more about what HIM offers in the Penticton area and BC Interior, click on the button below or call the HIM Interior Phone Line to learn about the programs and interventions in the Interior of BC (1-236-688-4153). The phone line will connect GBT2Q people directly with a HIM staff member or volunteer who can answer locally relevant community navigation questions and provide referrals to any HIM programs, or link them to another community organization. You can also contact Dylan Wall, Program Coordinator, Interior Region.
HIM Helps Interior
The HIM Helps program offers reduced-cost counselling to gay, bi, and trans men as well as two-spirit and queer people (GBT2Q). This confidential and professional program is ideal for people with medium to high annual income, or people with insurance coverage. HIM Helps is offered online and costs roughly $50-80 per session. HIM Helps counsellors are mental health professionals with a minimum of a master’s degree, professional liability insurance, and registration with a registered professional association, and/or college. These counsellors may be: Registered Social Workers (RSW), Registered Clinical Counsellors (RCC), Canadian Certified Counsellors (CCC) and/or Registered Psychologists (RPsych). All HIM Helps counsellors have their own areas of expertise, but all are skilled and experienced when it comes to working with GBT2Q populations.
Contact Alvaro Luna (he/him/his) Program Specialist, Mental Health at 604.488.1001 ext. 235 and let him know you are from the Interior. or Introduce yourself via email to counselling@checkhimout.ca and include “Interior Pilot” in the subject line – HIM’s mental health team will reach out to you.
SUPPORTING EVENTS
Ongoing & Anytime101-501 Main St, Penticton, BC V2A 5C7, CanadaOngoing & Anytime101-501 Main St, Penticton, BC V2A 5C7, CanadaThis is a private and confidential on-the-spot STI testing event for gay, bi and trans men, Two-Spirit & queer people. This is a public clinic, there may be other people sharing the waiting room with you. Click the link for more info or call 236-688-4153 to book an appointment!
