
The Lower Similkameen Community Services Society was established in 1975. This non-profit society and registered charity serves Keremeos and the surrounding areas of Olalla, Cawston and Hedley.
The Society is directed by a volunteer Board of Directors whose duties are to set policies and procedures for the Society and its Programs, and to see to the overall workings of the Society. The Board of Directors has the ultimate responsibility for the Society.
The Board of Directors is elected by the membership at the Society’s Annual General Meeting, which is held in June each year.
The Board is always open to suggestions from the community on service expansion, or new services that would enhance the quality of life for our citizens. All of our services are operated on a non-profit basis, and your ideas on how to offer new services in an efficient and economical way are welcome. Many of the services and events we sponsor are provided to the community through volunteer efforts. We hope that you will contact us today to find out how you can volunteer to help make our community a better place to live.
At LSCSS, we acknowledge that our work takes place on the ancestral, traditional, and unceded lands of the Smelqmix people, whose communities today include members of the Upper and Lower Similkameen Indian Bands. We honour the tm̓xʷúlaʔxʷ (land) and recognize the enduring connection of the Smelqmix and Syilx Peoples to these territories. As part of our ongoing commitment, we also recognize the responsibility we share to care for the land.
We respect the sovereignty of Indigenous Peoples and are committed to cultural humility, to offering culturally safe services, and to walking alongside Indigenous communities with respect, accountability, and shared responsibility. We recognize the past and ongoing harms of colonialism and are dedicated to continuous learning, reflection, and action toward equity and reconciliation.
We believe our people are vital to the strength and resilience of our organization. We celebrate diversity and are committed to equity—where every employee, volunteer, and board member is valued, treated with respect, and supported in reaching their full potential.
The unique experiences, perspectives, knowledge, and talents of our team members are integral to our organizational culture and to the strength of our community partnerships. These contributions shape the meaningful work we do together. We are dedicated to building inclusive and respectful relationships, and to creating a welcoming environment for all visitors, tenants, and clients—where belonging, trust, and collaboration guide our shared efforts.