Access Centre helps people, pets out of their tough spots

SUMMERLAND — The Access Centre connects people in our community with the support, services and resources they need to move their lives forward, Katrina McKeown told Summerland council Monday.

McKeown is the executive director the Penticton & Area Access Centre, which lends a helping hand to those in need from Summerland to Osoyoos and Keremeos.

“I’m here this evening to raise awareness of what we do, including for Summerland,” McKeown said.

Access Centre staff advocate for the people who have nowhere else to go and who often feel they face insurmountable barriers.

“We work with them to break down those barriers step by step,” McKeown explained.

By eliminating those barriers clients are often able to fulfill their basic needs of a place to stay and food and clothing.

McKeown recounted the rewarding experience of seeing how pleased a client was to receive a pair of shoes.

“This guy was completely over the moon,” she said.

She also spoke of Terry, a homeless man in Summerland, who, with the centre’s assistance, now has a job and a place to stay.

“He’s also been reunited with his small dog, Scruffy, thanks to a donation from Pet Smart,” she added.

Legal and disability advocacy, assistance with tenancy and landlord issues and free tax filing are among the services the centre provides.

Last year, the centre helped 15,774 people with 13,000 issues, including completing 1,491 tax returns, which freed up over $6 million for clients.

“These people spend their money here in our community. They don’t go to Mexico in the winter,” McKeown said.

The centre also helps clients access the child benefit program, an especially important service considering that 22 per cent of children in Penticton live in poverty.