Penticton & Area Access Centre

Penticton & Area Access Centre Helping people in the South Okanagan & Similkameen access essential services ✨ Bringing hope, connection, and $$$ into our communities.

We are the Penticton & Area Access Society (The Access Centre), a registered non-profit organization whose mission is to use action, awareness, advocacy, and equitable practice to help people navigate social systems. Our goal is to help create a community that values all people equally, offers them support, and encourages them to live to their full potential. To achieve this, we offer a number 4 m

ain services: Legal Advocacy, Disability Advocacy, FREE Tax Centre, and Resource and Referral. We are a resource centre for those seeking information about services in their community. The information we offer ranges from tenancy concerns, legal aid, disability and more. Many people who come to us seeking information are in difficult situations. For those in crisis, Access offers a place to be welcomed and heard, and we ensure that such people receive information on where to turn for solutions. The Access Centre takes a leadership role in our community by identifying gaps in services and offering solutions to meet those shortcomings. A number of new programs in Penticton have been initiated by The Access Centre to meet specific needs as they arise.

As summer comes to a close, we took some time to connect as a team and enjoy a friendly bowling outing at BNA Brewing.Th...
09/04/2026

As summer comes to a close, we took some time to connect as a team and enjoy a friendly bowling outing at BNA Brewing.

The highest score of the day came from a team effort, with everyone taking turns to bowl. It was a fun, unexpected metaphor for something we see every day: that we're stronger when we work together, both in the office and in the community. Here's to teamwork!

📢 Keremeos, do you need help applying for benefits?Our Disability Advocate Brittney will be offering two more drop-in as...
09/02/2026

📢 Keremeos, do you need help applying for benefits?
Our Disability Advocate Brittney will be offering two more drop-in assistance sessions in September for PWD (Persons with Disabilities), PPMB (Persons with Persistent Multiple Barriers), and CPP-D (Canada Pension Plan Disability) applications.

MSDPR will also be onsite to assist with Income Assistance applications, PWD/PPMB applications, and case-related questions.

📍 Location: LSCSS - Lower Similkameen Community Services Society, 715 - 7th Street, Keremeos
📅 Tuesday, September 15th and 29th
🕐 Time: 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM

If you need support completing an application, have questions about eligibility, or would like guidance through the process, stop by and we’ll be happy to help.
No appointment necessary. We look forward to seeing you!

Thanks to Stephanie OneSky Harm Reduction. P+OPS and all our other community partners for a lovely day of connection at ...
08/31/2026

Thanks to Stephanie OneSky Harm Reduction. P+OPS and all our other community partners for a lovely day of connection at the Overdose Awareness Day event - we were pleased to be there despite the rain!

08/24/2026

Free Hearing Screening Clinic - Monday, August 31st

We're pleased to host a FREE Hearing Screening Clinic in partnership with Pardon Me Hearing on Monday, August 31st.

Regular hearing screenings are an important part of maintaining overall health and well-being. Whether you're experiencing hearing concerns or simply want a baseline assessment, we invite you to take advantage of this complimentary service.

📞 Space may be limited, so be sure to book your screening today.

Tag a friend or loved one who might benefit from a hearing check! ❤️

📢 Do you live in Keremeos and need help applying for benefits?Our Disability Advocate Brittney will be offering a drop-i...
08/20/2026

📢 Do you live in Keremeos and need help applying for benefits?

Our Disability Advocate Brittney will be offering a drop-in assistance session for PWD (Persons with Disabilities), PPMB (Persons with Persistent Multiple Barriers), and CPP-D (Canada Pension Plan Disability) applications.

📍 Location: LSCSS - Lower Similkameen Community Services Society, 715 - 7th Street, Keremeos
📅 Tuesday, August 25
🕐 Time: 1:00 PM to 3:30 PM

If you need support completing an application, have questions about eligibility, or would like guidance through the process, stop by and we’ll be happy to help.

No appointment necessary. We look forward to seeing you!

08/11/2026

If you’re a young person and looking for somewhere to spend some time, cool off, get out of the smoke, or just have a little bit of normal during all of this, you’re welcome to drop into our basement space.

Come hang out, play pool or air hockey, watch TV, do some crafts, grab a snack, or play some board games. We also have free clothing and hygiene products, showers, laundry services, and other essentials available if you need them.

There’s no pressure to participate in anything or talk about what’s going on, you can just come be.

Please share this post so it can reach any youth who might need a place to land right now.💛

08/11/2026

Starting tomorrow we will be offering limited outreach services from our truck. We will have Harm Reduction, food, drinks, and survival equipment for a couple hours in the afternoon.

So if you see this truck driving around give us a wave if you need anything.

You can also call or text us at: 250-274-2110 with any needs you may have.

Thank you for everyone’s patience and we figured out the safest way to get people what they need.

08/08/2026

Interior Health has opened the Penticton Urgent and Primary Care Centre (UPCC) earlier today to address increased patient volumes at Penticton Regional Hospital, including people impacted by the Bald Range wildfire. The UPCC is located at 437 Martin St, Suite #101 and open now for people who need non-emergency care. We'll provide additional updates as new information is available.

People in the community who need life-threatening emergency care (i.e., chest pains, difficulty breathing, severe bleeding) should always call 911 or visit the closest emergency department.

Anyone unsure whether an emergency room visit is warranted can call HealthLink BC at 811, or visit www.HealthLinkBC.ca for non-emergency health information from nurses, dietitians and pharmacists 24 hours a day, seven days per week.

08/08/2026

📍 UPDATED OKANAGAN WILDFIRE RESOURCES - Fri, Aug 7, 2026

📣 PLEASE SHARE 📣

The Okanagan Nation Alliance (ONA) has created an Evacuee Resource Package that is available on our website here: https://syilx.org/wildfire-resources/

As resources become available or discontinued, we will be pinning these posts to our profile. Please check back regularly for updates or visit the Wildfire Resources page on our website for most up-to-date information.

If you know of additional resources available for evacuees, please comment details below or email Raven Mikuletic, Senior Communications Coordinator at [email protected]

As another tax season comes to a close, we wanted to take a moment to celebrate and recognize the incredible volunteers,...
05/14/2026

As another tax season comes to a close, we wanted to take a moment to celebrate and recognize the incredible volunteers, community partners, and supporters who made this year’s Community Volunteer Income Tax Program such a success 💙

This March and April, we completed more than 1350 tax returns, helping bring millions back into the pockets of individuals and families throughout our community. These refunds and benefits make a real difference — helping people access housing, groceries, healthcare, transportation, and other essential supports.

To celebrate the end of the season, we were so grateful to gather for a volunteer appreciation wrap-up party and reflect on the impact this program continues to have in our community.

A huge thank you to our amazing volunteers who dedicated countless hours to supporting community members with care, patience, and compassion. This program would not be possible without you.

Thank you to Community Foundation of the South Okanagan Similkameen for helping us secure a space for the tax program again this year.

Thank you to SOICS for generously lending chairs to support the program and our appreciation event.

Thank you to Evolve Sparkling House for providing celebratory fizz to help us toast another successful tax season.

Thank you to Jafa Signs for providing sign frames for the program and helping make our space welcoming and visible to the community.

Although the main tax season has wrapped up, our tax program continues year-round every Thursday from 1:00–4:00pm out of the main Penticton and Area Access Centre office to help support community members with ongoing tax filing needs.

We are so proud of what was accomplished this season and grateful to everyone who helped make it happen. We can’t wait to do it all again next year!

Address

#209/304 Martin Street
Penticton, BC
V2A5K4

Opening Hours

Monday 10am - 4pm
Tuesday 10am - 4pm
Wednesday 10am - 4pm
Thursday 10am - 4pm

Telephone

+12504936822

Website

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