Share. Learn. Collaborate. That’s what the Castlegar Integrated Services Collaborative (CISC) is all about. The CISC provides an opportunity for organizations, businesses, institutions, agencies, elected officials, and local individuals who have an interest in supporting Castlegar’s vulnerable populations to connect with one another and to work together.
In particular, the group has a focus on serving people living without homes, or at risk of experiencing homelessness. The goals of the group are to raise awareness, reduce stigma, improve access to services, and create sustainable supports. The Collaborative strives to maintain cross-sectoral representation, including people with lived and living experience. The work of the CISC is supported by a part-time coordinator.
Members of the CISC meet monthly to share updates and develop plans to work on common issues. A recent success was the installation of two portable toilet units (donated by Trowelex) to help address the lack of public facilities available at night in Castlegar. This was made possible through the efforts of several members each taking responsibility for different aspects of the project, such as monitoring, cleaning, re-stocking supplies and signing the rental agreement.
Individual members have taken the lead on some specific initiatives. For example, Castlegar and District Community Services recently hosted the Coldest Night of the Year fundraiser which so far has brought in over $11,000 to support local people in need.
The City of Castlegar, one of the founding members of the Collaborative, has announced plans to conduct a homelessness population estimate to gain a better picture of the scope and needs of the city’s vulnerable individuals.
In the months ahead the group will be looking at additional ways to achieve its goals. Grant applications have been submitted for a proposed celebration of community resources day in the fall of 2023, and for an arts-based project in collaboration with ANKORS (Aids Network, Outreach and Support Society) and REDUN (Rural Empowered Drug Users Network). As well, additional articles such as this one will be appearing regularly to provide updates and seek input.
New members are welcome to join the Collaborative. For more information about the CISC, visit castlegarisc.wixsite.com/cisc , or contact the coordinator at castlegarisc.coordinator@gmail.com .
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