Lower Similkameen Community Services Society

What Lower Similkameen Community Services Society does

Lower Similkameen Community Services Society (LSCSS) is a non-profit society and registered charity established in 1975, headquartered in Keremeos, British Columbia, Canada. The organization serves the South Similkameen region — including Keremeos, Cawston, Olalla, and Hedley — delivering approximately 30 distinct programs across five service categories: children and youth services (e.g., Child & Youth Mental Health, PEACE, Infant Development, Family Literacy), family support (e.g., Family Support, Stopping the Violence Women's Counselling), seniors and disability services (e.g., Adult Day Services, Better at Home, Meals on Wheels, Volunteer Drivers), community support (e.g., Victim Services, Legal Aid, Volunteer Income Tax, Neighbour to Neighbour), and migrant seasonal worker outreach. LSCSS also operates 123 social-purpose housing units across six properties (Ambrosia, Cactus Court, Quail Crossing, Tumbleweed Terrace, Mountain View Manor, Kyalami Place) ranging from market-rate rentals to subsidized supportive and assisted-living housing.

LSCSS employs approximately 20 staff and is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors elected annually. The organization is led by an Executive Director with Managers of Operations and Finance, plus program coordinators across each service line. Revenue is sourced from multiple BC provincial ministries (MCFD, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General, BC Gaming Commission), BC Housing, Interior Health, United Way British Columbia, the Okanagan Prosperity Fund, the Government of Canada, and rental income from its housing portfolio, supplemented by individual donations through CanadaHelps and Zeffy. Most direct services are free to clients; housing operates on a mixed subsidized/income-based/market-rate model with rents from $915 to $1,625 per month depending on unit size.

The organization's business model is grant-and-contract funded rather than commercial. Programs are accessed via self-referral, professional referral (RCMP, Interior Health, MCFD, schools), or walk-in. Marketing is conducted primarily through community presence, the LSCSS website, a Facebook page, community events, and partner referral networks. As a non-profit, audited financial statements are published but specific revenue figures are not publicly broken out.

Name

Lower Similkameen Community Services Society

Legal name

Lower Similkameen Community Services Society

Website

https://lscss.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1975

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Lower Similkameen Community Services Society is a 1975-founded registered charity in Keremeos, British Columbia, delivering ~30 social-service programs and operating 123 affordable, supportive, and assisted-living housing units across six properties for residents of the South Similkameen region.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Social Services

NAICS

Other Individual and Family Services (624190), Child and Youth Services (62411), Child and Youth Services (624110), Civic and Social Organizations (8134)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Health Services (8000), Services-Home Health Care Services (8082)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYBPAGALAC

Affordable Housing & Community Development (Housing, Community Land Trusts)

Business & Public Services/Nonprofit, NGO & Social Services/Social Enterprises & Impact Organizations

SECONDARYBPAGACAG

Disability Services & Independent Living Support

Business & Public Services/Nonprofit, NGO & Social Services/Health & Medical Nonprofits

SECONDARYBPAGADAH

Special Education, Disability Support & Inclusive Education Nonprofits

Business & Public Services/Nonprofit, NGO & Social Services/Education & Youth Development Nonprofits

SECONDARYHLAJALAF

Community Health & Prevention Program Funding

Healthcare & Life Sciences/Public Health, Government & Regulators/Public Health Funding, Grants & Program Administration

SECONDARYBPAGADAB

K–12 Support & School Improvement Nonprofits

Business & Public Services/Nonprofit, NGO & Social Services/Education & Youth Development Nonprofits

Keywords

• Community social services
• Affordable social housing
• Family support counselling
• Senior care programs
• Youth mental health

Headquarters

HQ city

Keremeos

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices6 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Provincial Government Funding: LSCSS receives operational funding from various BC provincial ministries including Ministry of Children and Family Development (MCFD), Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General, Ministry of Health, and BC Gaming Commission. These fund specific programs such as Child & Youth Mental Health, PEACE, Stopping the Violence, Early Years, and Better at Home.
2. Housing Rentals: The organization operates multiple housing properties (Ambrosia, Cactus Court, Quail Crossing, Tumbleweed Terrace, Mountain View Manor, Kyalami Place) generating rental income. Rents range from subsidized rates based on income to market rates ($915-$1,625/month depending on unit size).
3. Donations and Charitable Giving: LSCSS is a registered charity that accepts donations through various channels including online (CanadaHelps, Zeffy), cash/cheque, planned giving (bequests, life insurance, charitable trusts), securities, and gifts in kind. Donations over $20 receive charitable tax receipts.
4. Service Fees: Some programs generate nominal fees including Meals on Wheels ($5/meal), Better at Home ($0-$30/hour based on income), and fees for various community programs.
5. Partnership Funding: Funding received from organizations including United Way British Columbia, Interior Health, BC Housing, MOSAIC, DIVERSEcity Community Resources Society, and the Okanagan Prosperity Fund for specific programs and initiatives.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

LSCSS is a non-profit society and registered charity that delivers integrated community social services across the South Similkameen region of British Columbia. Its offerings span children and youth mental health and development programs, family support and violence-prevention counselling, senior and disability support services, and social-purpose housing across six properties comprising 123 rental units. Funding comes primarily from BC provincial ministries, housing rents, donations, and partnership grants, with programs delivered at no cost or on a sliding scale.

Product overview

Lower Similkameen Community Services Society (LSCSS) is a non-profit charitable organization that provides diverse and inclusive community services across the South Similkameen region. The organization operates as a multi-service hub offering approximately 30+ distinct programs organized into several service categories: (1) Children & Youth Programs including Child & Youth Mental Health (CYMH), Community Action Plan for Prenatal and Child Health (CAPCHP), Early Years, Infant Development, PEACE counselling, Family Literacy, Starfish Packs, and Youth Mental Health; (2) Family Support Programs including Family Support counselling and Stopping the Violence Women's Counselling; (3) Seniors & Disabilities Programs including Adult Day Services, Better at Home, Fix-It, Friendly Visitor, Meals on Wheels, Tech Savvy, Volunteer Drivers, and Similkameen Community Connector; (4) Community Support Programs including Community Outreach (CORP), Gustavson House Adult Mental Health, Keremeos Victim Services, Legal Aid, Neighbour to Neighbour, Seasonal Workers Program, and Volunteer Income Tax Preparation; and (5) Social Purpose Housing comprising six properties (Ambrosia, Cactus Court, Quail Crossing, Tumbleweed Terrace, Mountain View Manor, and Kyalami Place) offering affordable housing, supportive housing, and assisted living options. Rather than a single product, LSCSS offers a coordinated portfolio of wraparound services designed to meet evolving community needs from prenatal through end-of-life care.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Child & Youth Mental Health (CYMH) Free, confidential mental health support for children and youth in the Similkameen and South Okanagan, providing assessment, counselling, safety planning, and therapeutic support for anxiety, depression, trauma, and behavioral challenges.
• Community Action Plan for Prenatal and Child Health Program (CAPCHP) Supports the health and wellbeing of pregnant people, parents, caregivers, and children from prenatal to age six, focusing on priority populations facing social, economic, or geographic barriers.
• Early Years Program Drop-in programs for parents, expectant parents, caregivers and children from birth to six years, including early learning, information, support, referrals, and informal interactive settings.
• Infant Development Program Home-based support for families with children from birth to age 3 who are at risk for or presenting with developmental delays, providing informal developmental screening and play-based strategies.
• PEACE Program Prevention, Education, Advocacy, Counselling and Empowerment program providing education and supportive counselling for children and youth ages 5-18 who have witnessed or experienced abuse.
• Similkameen Family Literacy Promotes enjoyment and good use of language in reading, writing, spoken and heard communication among all age groups, coordinating volunteer reading programs and summer theatre.
• Family Support Program Flexible program providing support and services to facilitate healthy, strong and connected families, with priority given to families experiencing MCFD involvement.
• Stopping the Violence Women's Counselling Free, accessible, and confidential counselling services for women providing individual, client-centered support for education, self-awareness, and empowerment.
• Adult Day Services Twice-weekly program providing health, social and recreational activities to help seniors remain in their homes while providing respite for caregivers.
• Better at Home Assists seniors with light housekeeping duties to help them remain independent and stay in their own homes longer, with sliding-scale fees from $0 to $30/hour based on income.
• Meals on Wheels Delivers nutritious noon meals ($5 per meal) to residents of Keremeos, Cawston, and Olalla areas, with meals including soup, a warm entree, and dessert.
• Similkameen Community Connector Improves social well-being and reduces isolation by linking individuals with community resources through social prescribing, connecting them with social groups, volunteer opportunities, and health supports.
• Volunteer Driver Program Provides transportation to residents who cannot travel independently for local and out-of-town medical appointments and local shopping.
• Community Outreach (CORP) Assists people with navigating the medical system and accessing appropriate resources, helping with applications, referrals, and medical advocacy.
• Gustavson House Adult Mental Health Twice-weekly program providing a place to meet friends, share experiences, and participate in activities targeted toward mental health goals with emphasis on psychosocial rehabilitation.
• Keremeos Victim Services Provides emotional support and practical assistance to victims of crime, family members, witnesses, and those who suffer from trauma.
• Similkameen Seasonal Workers Program Supports migrant agricultural workers in the Similkameen Valley through outreach, navigation, safety information, and community connection, providing multilingual support in English and Spanish.
• Ambrosia Mixed-Use Affordable Housing Three-story elevator-serviced building with 43 apartments (studio to three-bedroom units) for individuals and families, with affordable rental options ranging from $915 to $1,625 per month.
• Cactus Court Affordable Housing Two buildings with 16 total units (10 one-bedroom, 2 wheelchair accessible, 4 two-bedroom) located just off main street near amenities.
• Quail Crossing Affordable Housing 8-unit building on a quiet residential street with 7 one-bedroom units and 1 wheelchair accessible unit for active, independent residents.
• Kyalami Place Assisted Living Assisted living community with 14 units (13 one-bedroom subsidized, 1 two-bedroom private pay) offering privacy, independence, and daily assistance with activities.
• Mountain View Manor Senior Supportive Housing 26 units of supportive housing for seniors and disabled individuals offering daily meals, weekly housekeeping, 24-hour response, and social activities.
• Tumbleweed Terrace Senior Affordable Housing 16 one-bedroom suites for seniors 55+ and persons with disabilities with enhanced accessibility features, with rent based on 30% of household income.

Quantifiable outcome

• LSCSS operates 123 housing units across 6 properties in the South Similkameen region
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• United Way British ColumbiacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025United Way BC supports the Similkameen Community Connector Program and Volunteer Driver Program through the Lower Similkameen Social Impact Network. Funding supports social prescribing and transportation services for vulnerable seniors.
• MOSAICcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025MOSAIC supports the Similkameen Seasonal Workers Program through their Migrant Workers Program, funding early-season welcoming, learning, and prevention-focused outreach including farm visits, welcome packages, worker rights education, and safety information.
• DIVERSEcity Community Resources Society (CARE Program)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025DIVERSEcity funding supports ongoing, needs-driven services for seasonal workers including case management, health and dental navigation, legal supports, mental-health check-ins, transportation assistance, community events, and recreation programs.
• BC HousingcoreOthers · 1 January 1975BC Housing is a key partner providing subsidized housing units and funding through the Housing Registry. LSCSS operates BC Housing properties for families, seniors, and persons with disabilities. The partnership enables access to subsidized housing for low-income residents in the South Similkameen.
• Ministry of Children and Family Development (MCFD)coreOthers · 1 January 1975MCFD provides funding and oversight for Child & Youth Mental Health (CYMH) and Early Years programs. The society operates these programs under the purview of MCFD, providing confidential counselling and support services for children, youth, and families.
• Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor GeneralcoreOthers · 1 January 1975Provincial funder for PEACE (Prevention, Education, Advocacy, Counselling and Empowerment) and Stopping the Violence programs. These programs support children who witnessed domestic violence and provide women's counselling services.
• Interior HealthcoreOthers · 1 January 1975Interior Health provides funding for Meals on Wheels and partners on Adult Day Services. Kyalami Place Assisted Living operates in partnership with Interior Health and BC Housing, with subsidized rates calculated annually by Interior Health.
• Ending Violence Association of BCminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1975Partner organization for the Stopping the Violence Women's Counselling program, providing resources and support for women experiencing abuse.
• BC Society of Transition HousesminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1975Developed the Violence is Preventable (VIP) program, providing psycho-educational content for the PEACE Program's school-based violence prevention presentations on bullying, interpersonal violence, and dating violence.
• RCMP (Royal Canadian Mounted Police)coreOthers · 1 January 1975RCMP partners with LSCSS to operate Keremeos Victim Services. The program provides emotional support and practical assistance to victims of crime, with referrals coming through RCMP and Penticton Regional Hospital.
• Canada Revenue AgencyminorOthers · 1 January 1975CRA trains volunteers for the Community Volunteer Income Tax Program (CVITP), enabling LSCSS to provide free tax preparation for low-income individuals.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• S.U.C.C.E.S.S. Multi-service non-profit operating settlement, employment, family, seniors, and affordable housing programs across BC. Comparable because both operate integrated wraparound portfolios including affordable housing units under BC Housing arrangements and senior supportive programs.
• MOSAIC: BC non-profit serving immigrants, refugees, and migrant workers. Comparable because MOSAIC is a direct funding and program partner for LSCSS's Similkameen Seasonal Workers Program and shares the multilingual community-outreach delivery model across BC.
• YMCA BC: Multi-service community organization delivering child, youth, family, and senior programming with subsidized access. Comparable because both operate integrated wraparound service hubs spanning early years through seniors in BC communities, often via government-funded contracts.
• Family Services of Greater Vancouver: Non-profit delivering family counselling, violence prevention, and community support programs. Comparable because LSCSS's Family Support, Stopping the Violence, and PEACE programs address the same counselling and family-stabilization use cases within a similar BC funder landscape.
• DIVERSEcity Community Resources Society: BC non-profit delivering settlement, newcomer, and migrant-worker services. Comparable because DIVERSEcity directly co-funds LSCSS's Seasonal Workers Program via the CARE program and operates the same multilingual, mobile-outreach service model in the same BC ecosystem.
• Canadian Mental Health Association - BC Division: Provincial division delivering community-based mental health programs across BC. Comparable because LSCSS operates parallel adult and youth mental health programs (CYMH, Gustavson House, Stopping the Violence) within the same BC provincial funding ecosystem.

Regional players

• Okanagan Boys and Girls Clubs: Regional non-profit operating child, youth, and family programs across the Okanagan. Comparable because of overlap with LSCSS's Early Years, CAPC, Infant Development, and family literacy programming serving the same broader Okanagan demographic.

Broad incumbents

• BC Housing: Provincial crown corporation that funds and manages subsidized housing. Comparable because BC Housing is the structural funder and regulatory partner for LSCSS's 123 affordable/supportive housing units across six properties via the BC Housing Registry.
• United Way British Columbia: Provincial funder and convenor of community social services. Comparable because United Way BC is both a strategic partner and direct funder of LSCSS programs (Community Connector, Volunteer Driver), operating at a broader scale across the same beneficiary and grantmaking framework.

Emerging players

• John Howard Society of British Columbia: BC non-profit delivering community-based social and victim services. Comparable because of overlapping victim-services, counselling, and community-justice programming with LSCSS's Keremeos Victim Services and PEACE program operating in the same RCMP-referral environment.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/LowerSimilkameenCommunityServicesSociety
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/lower-similkameen-community-services-society

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles29 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Lower Similkameen Community Services Society