Vancouver Community Services Office (CSO)

• Support individuals through transitional periods
• Facilitate referrals to community resources to establish safety and success for both individuals and their community
• Increase community knowledge and awareness of criminal and social justice challenges and solutions

Individuals who use our space have access to coffee, snacks, computers and phones, washrooms, harm reduction supplies, and other basic needs. There are no eligibility screenings; anyone is welcome to access the space. We provide a wide range of supports; most frequently, folks come to us for support with finding housing, but we can also help with applying for income assistance, setting up a community mail file, filling out record suspension applications, accessing other community programs, or searching for employment. The CSO is also a free call from provincial institutions, so we are often able to support individuals with release planning and support. It also directly refers eligible participants to our housing and employment outreach programs.

Programs like the UBC Smiles on Wheels, our income tax clinic, and the Understanding Anger group operate out of the CSO. The CSO also hosts arts programming, games groups, and other social opportunities. 

The Vancouver CSO is primarily staffed by volunteers and practicum students, which can be an incredible way to give back to the community. Community members are always welcome to attend any of our events, access our services, or come into the office to have a coffee and get to know us. We also have community members who donate supplies like coffee, snacks, hygiene products, socks, gloves, and other items frequently needed by individuals who access the space.

Another way to support us is to talk about us in your community and learn more about the root causes of the issues faced by our population such as housing insecurity, the impacts of colonization, income inequality, and toxic drug deaths.