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More Room for Hope

An expansion to Samaritan House is desperately needed. Let’s be there to help!

For over twenty-eight years, Island Crisis Care society has provided care and shelter to Nanaimo’s most vulnerable women through Samaritan House. Unfortunately, the number of women experiencing homelessness in Nanaimo is increasing. They have to regularly turn away women in need of support due to lack of space. In August 2017 they had to do just that, 111 times.

During December 2017 and January 2018, Steve Marshall Ford Lincoln is donating $200 for EVERY VEHICLE PURCHASED to the Island Crisis Care Society’s fundraising campaign, More Room for Hope!

Island Crisis Care Society purchased the empty lot beside Samaritan House on Nicol Street. They plan to combine the two properties and build a three-storey addition to the existing building. We are contributing $200 per new or used vehicle purchased at the dealership until January 31, 2018 to help them raise $2,000,000.

The expanded facility will provide a better space:

  • Flexible model will allow bedrooms to be used for shelter or supportive housing, depending on the need
  • Environmental design will increase safety and improve community
  • Thoughtfully planned spaces will reduced crowding, increase opportunities for learning, and make it easier
    to sort donations
  • More meeting rooms will allow health workers to meet privately with women, and volunteers to provide
    services

Better care:

  • The added space will include better storage to organize supplies, materials, and resources
  • A staff room will allow employees to have a break from the high paced life inside this busy frontline facility

And better community:

  • The improved shelter will do more than provide warmth in the winter, a place to sleep, and a place to eat; it
    will also influence the people who live and work there with its functionality and aesthetics

Island Crisis Care Society
ICCS
is a registered non-profit society dedicated to helping people in crisis find the resources and services they need
to be well. They work in cooperation with provincial agencies, community groups, and faith-based organizations to
develop housing options and programs that respect the needs of individuals with multiple life challenges and
concurrent disorders. Samaritan House, operated by ICCS since 1989, is Nanaimo’s only shelter for homeless
women. They also operate Martha’s Place, Mary’s Place, Crescent House, Safe Harbour House, The Bridge, and Hirst
House.