- Public Office Hours: Mon - Fri (8:00am - 12:00pm)
The Similkameen Community Connector Program aims to improve social well-being and
reduce isolation among seniors and vulnerable populations in the South Similkameen. The program links individuals with community resources, social opportunities, and health supports through social prescribing, a practice that enables physicians and service providers to refer clients to non-clinical supports. Our Community Connectors work closely with local organizations, healthcare professionals, and service providers to navigate systems and address social determinants of health.
They facilitate connections to social groups, volunteer opportunities, financial resources, and health-related programs, empowering individuals to improve their quality of life. This program benefits seniors, individuals facing barriers to services, and the broader community by strengthening collaboration between organizations and ensuring better access to essential resources.
Social prescribing is a holistic approach to health and wellbeing that enables healthcare professionals—particularly in primary care settings—to refer patients to non-clinical services in their community. Rather than focusing solely on medical treatments, social prescribing recognizes that health is influenced by a range of social, emotional, and practical factors.
Through social prescribing, patients might be connected to activities such as:
A Community Connector (or Link Worker) works one-on-one with each person to explore what matters most to them, develop a personalized support plan, and guide them through the available local resources.
Our trained Community Connectors help people:
This program is part of the Lower Similkameen Social Impact Network, a community collaborative launched with the support of United Way British Columbia. The network brings together:
Together, we’re improving access, eliminating duplication, and designing collaborative solutions to better serve our community.
We’re working on a comprehensive Community Asset Map—a living, visual tool to help residents and service providers easily locate resources, programs, and services in the South Similkameen.
Launch expected soon—check back for updates!
“The Connector helped me feel seen—and helped me find a support group I didn’t even know existed.” — Local Participant
This initiative is proudly funded in part by the Okanagan Prosperity Fund, a regional grant stream that invests in upstream poverty reduction. By supporting programs like the Similkameen Community Connector, the fund helps create long-term solutions to poverty through community-led innovation, prevention, and empowerment—so that everyone has the chance to thrive before crisis hits.
The Similkameen Community Connector is delivered by Lower Similkameen Community Services Society (LSCSS) in partnership with United Way British Columbia, supported by the Lower Similkameen Social Impact Network, and funded through the Okanagan Prosperity Fund.