Services

CMHA South Okanagan Similkameen offers the following programs:

Unity House
Advocacy
Consumer Development
Housing Support Services

UNITY HOUSE

Unity House is a community based program that provides support from which clients with mental illnesses can pursue improvements in health, social functioning and community involvement. Unity House is a healthy community that maximizes members’ independence, choice, promotes individual growth and well being. It is a safe and relaxed setting for people to come together. The clubhouse is open 7 days a week except stats.

Unity House is in the process of moving from a “drop in model” to a Clubhouse model that is supported by the International Centre for Clubhouses. We are building a community that involves members and staff coming together through involvement in projects and tasks that are important to the members participating, as well as for the running of the clubhouse. Together we have identified a couple of key areas to begin with: the food services unit and business unit being our starting point. In the business unit members use computers, faxes, photocopiers, laminator to perform the office tasks required at the clubhouse.

In the food services unit, lunch meals are prepared daily and two dinner meals a week. Members are also involved in the menu planning, grocery shopping, serving and the cleanup of the kitchen. The food services unit prepares a healthy lunch seven days a week at a cost of $1.50. Twice weekly we prepare a full hot meal for $3.00. We also prepare and maintain a supply of take-out meals suitable for warming in a microwave.

Unity House also offers a variety of social and recreational activities. A monthly calendar, is published in our newsletter Unity Views.

For more information about Unity House please contact Debb at 250-493-6327 or email her at cmha_unity@shaw.ca

CONSUMER DEVELOPMENT

Mission Statement

To empower consumers to accept responsibility, promote health, mental wellness, social interaction and job readiness.

Purpose

The purpose of the Consumer Development Program is to administer consumer involvement funds for advocacy, self-help, education and consumer initiatives specifically endorsed by the local Funding Criterion Committee.

What is CDP?

CDP is a consumer run committee. This committee has access to funds for adults with a mental illness who can apply for funding for physical, health, educational and personal growth opportunities.

The Consumer Development board consists of consumers, family members and advisers from Interior Health Mental Health Team and the Canadian Mental Health Association. There are two boards:

·Penticton committee which covers Penticton and Area, Princeton and Keremeos
·Oliver committee that covers Oliver and Osoyoos.

For more information about this program please contact Carole at 250-493-6327

SKAHA SUNRISE HOUSING SUPPORT SERVICES

CMHA-SOS has partnered with B.C. Housing, Interior Health Mental Health and the Penticton District Society for Community Living to provide supported housing to assist people with mental illness, addictions, or at risk of homelessness to obtain secure affordable housing and to maximize their level of independence. CMHA-SOS provides support services such as recreation/leisure programs, residential community development programs, basic life skills and wellness programs while also working closely with other community partners such as the BC Schizophrenia Society (BCSS) and The Penticton Area Cooperative Enterprises (PACE). These community linkages are an important component of this program and can create opportunities for peer support, employment programs, advocacy and illness management with the aim of maximizing consumer’s independence and ability to achieve personal goals that support stable housing.