Sorrento Centre joins BCCRN

South Shuswap Community Response Network

This article was published on 24 August 2022.

This summer, amongst our vibrant summer programming which filled our centre to brimming and filled our hearts to overflowing, we reached out to the community around us. We welcomed the LGBTQ2S+ community to a BBQ on our beachfront, distributed nourishing meals and friendship to our vulnerable neighbours every day and just last week established the South Shuswap Community Response Network.

As part of the BC Association of Community Response Networks, Sorrento Centre will serve as a community hub in the South Shuswap for vulnerable seniors and others who are the focus of CRN work. There is a Community Response Network for the entire Shuswap region (hosted by the SAFE Society) and, with their support and other South Shuswap service agencies, a parallel network in the South Shuswap will serve our population.

Here’s the provincial definition of a CRN:
“A Community Response Network (CRN) is made up of a diverse group of concerned community members, community agencies, local businesses, government agencies, professionals, and others who come together to create a coordinated community response to abuse, neglect, and self-neglect in vulnerable adults.”

In our community, the new CRN will act as first point of contact for people with a variety of needs and concerns. Our front office staff – who already monitor our phones seven days a week – will take on a referral role to ensure people are connected to local, provincial, and national resources to meet their needs. We will also host prevention and education activities with local stakeholders to build a coordinated response to abuse, neglect and self-neglect of vulnerable adults

The South Shuswap Community Response Network was launched in partnership with the local food bank, home-care services, and health unit. The network will continue to grow to include other interested member agencies and organizations with Sorrento Centre as the local hub, serving those living and working in Sorrento, Sunnybrae, Tappen, White Lake, Blind Bay, Eagle Bay and Notch Hill and the surrounding rural area.

If you want more information or would like to join this network please contact mary@sorrentocentre.ca or click here.