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Duncan Survival Hub β€” Food, Shelter, Support, Hope. Local resources, practical tools, and community strength for Duncan and the Cowichan Valley.
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🀝 Cowichan Valley

Cowichan Valley Outreach Network

A Practical Map of Local Help
πŸ“ Duncan & the Cowichan Valley

A practical map of organizations helping people with food, shelter, health, housing, safety, recovery, youth support, Indigenous services, legal help, and basic needs.

Hours, services, eligibility, and intake rules can change. Call ahead when possible. This guide is for planning and survival navigation, not emergency response. If you are in immediate danger, call 911. If you are in emotional crisis, call or text 988.

🧭 Start Here

If you are not sure where to start, call 2-1-1, check Duncan Survival Hub, or contact a local outreach worker. Many services can help you find the right next step even if they are not the exact program you need.

Filter by need

Filter by access

44 listings shown

Food & Meals

Hampers, hot meals, snacks, and drop-in food support.

Cowichan Valley Basket Society / Duncan Food Bank

Food

Grocery hampers, meals, snacks, and warm drop-in support.

  • πŸ“ 5810 Garden Street, Duncan
  • πŸ“ž 250-746-1566
  • βœ‰οΈ office@cvbs.ca
  • ℹ️ Call ahead when possible. ID may be required for hampers.
Walk-inCall first

Verify before relying on hours or availability.

Salvation Army Community & Family Services

FoodClothingOutreach

Emergency food hampers, street packs, vouchers, and community support.

  • πŸ“ 280 Trans-Canada Highway, Duncan
  • πŸ“ž 250-746-8669
  • βœ‰οΈ cowichanvalley.info@salvationarmy.ca
  • ℹ️ Call to confirm current hours and voucher availability.
Call first

Verify before relying on hours or availability.

Duncan United Church

FoodClothing

Community meals, thrift support, and connection to local help.

  • πŸ“ 246 Ingram Street, Duncan
  • πŸ“ž 250-746-6043
  • ℹ️ Verify current meal schedule before going.
Walk-inCall first

Verify before relying on hours or availability.

New Life Church Duncan

FoodClothingOutreach

Community support, clothing and furniture help, and practical 'Needs & Extras' support.

  • πŸ“ 1839 Tzouhalem Road, Duncan
  • πŸ“ž 250-748-6521
  • ℹ️ Call to confirm current details before going.
Call first

Verify before relying on hours or availability.

Meals on Wheels Cowichan

Food

Meal delivery, especially for seniors or people with mobility barriers.

  • ℹ️ Verify eligibility and referral process before relying on it.
Referral neededCall first

Verify before relying on hours or availability.

Cob Oven Youth Program

FoodYouth

Youth meals and community connection.

  • ℹ️ Verify current schedule before relying on it.
Call first

Verify before relying on hours or availability.

Shelter & Housing

Emergency shelter, transitional and supportive housing pathways.

Warmland House Emergency Shelter β€” CMHA Cowichan Valley

ShelterHousing

Adult emergency shelter, low-barrier support, and connection to housing resources.

  • πŸ“ 2579 Lewis Street, Duncan
  • πŸ“ž 250-715-1132
  • πŸ‘₯ Who it's for: Adults 19+.
  • ℹ️ Bed availability changes. Call before relying on a bed.
Call first

Verify before relying on hours or availability.

Warmland House Transitional Housing

HousingShelter

Transitional housing toward stable, longer-term housing.

  • πŸ“ 2579 Lewis Street, Duncan
  • πŸ“ž 250-715-1132
  • ℹ️ Intake may involve the BC Housing registry or a program application.
Referral neededCall first

Verify before relying on hours or availability.

Mischa Lelum Youth Emergency Shelter

ShelterYouth

Emergency youth shelter and 24/7 youth safety support.

  • πŸ“ 190 Hemlock Avenue, Duncan
  • πŸ“ž 250-732-8415
  • πŸ‘₯ Who it's for: Youth around ages 15–18.
  • ℹ️ Verify current eligibility.
Call first

Verify before relying on hours or availability.

Cowichan Women Against Violence Society

Women's SafetyShelterOutreach

Women's safety, counselling, advocacy, shelter connection, and violence support.

  • πŸ“ 246 Evans Street, Duncan
  • πŸ“ž 250-748-7000
  • ℹ️ Support may be confidential. Call to confirm.
Call firstConfidential

Verify before relying on hours or availability.

Somenos Transition House

Women's SafetyShelter

Emergency shelter for women and children fleeing violence.

  • πŸ“ž 250-748-8544
  • ℹ️ Confidential support. Call first.
Call firstConfidential

Verify before relying on hours or availability.

Cedar Branches Women's Shelter

Women's SafetyShelter

Low-barrier women's shelter and safety support.

  • πŸ“ 1081 Canada Avenue, Duncan
  • πŸ“ž 250-466-9492
  • ℹ️ 24/7 wet shelter. Verify access rules.
Walk-inCall first

Verify before relying on hours or availability.

Hiiye'yu Lelum Society / House of Friendship

IndigenousHousingOutreachFoodClothing

Indigenous-focused outreach, housing support, advocacy, referrals, breakfast, shower/laundry, and cultural and family supports.

  • πŸ“ #106 – 5462 Trans-Canada Highway, Duncan
  • πŸ“ž 250-748-2242
  • ℹ️ Prioritizes Indigenous people and people at risk of homelessness.
Walk-inCall first

Verify before relying on hours or availability.

Connective β€” Affordable Housing

Housing

Subsidized and supportive housing pathways.

  • ℹ️ A housing pathway, not emergency shelter. Verify current Duncan/Cowichan intake process.
Referral neededCall first

Verify before relying on hours or availability.

M'akola Housing Society

HousingIndigenous

Indigenous housing and affordable housing.

  • πŸ“ 26–3170 Gibbins Road, Duncan
  • πŸ“ž 250-746-1785
  • ℹ️ Verify applications and waitlist process.
Referral neededCall first

Verify before relying on hours or availability.

Pacifica Housing

Housing

Affordable and supportive housing.

  • ℹ️ Add as a housing resource if Cowichan availability applies; verify local listings.
Referral neededCall first

Verify before relying on hours or availability.

Mental Health & Recovery

Mental health, substance use, harm reduction, and recovery supports.

CMHA Cowichan Valley Branch

RecoveryHealthOutreachYouthHousing

Mental health support, adult outreach, counselling, youth services, housing/shelter programs, sobering and assessment supports.

  • πŸ“ 552/554 Trunk Road, Duncan
  • πŸ“ž 250-597-1372
  • ℹ️ A major anchor organization. Call to confirm programs.
Call first

Verify before relying on hours or availability.

CMHA Adult Outreach Team

OutreachRecoveryClothingFood

Mobile outreach with snacks, hygiene kits, clothing, referrals, and connection to supports for people homeless, living in vehicles, camping, couch surfing, or precariously housed.

  • πŸ“ž 250-597-1372
  • ℹ️ Travels through the Cowichan Valley several days per week. Verify current route/schedule.
Walk-inCall first

Verify before relying on hours or availability.

Cowichan Valley Wellness & Recovery Centre / Lookout

HealthRecovery

Primary care, addiction medicine, mental health and substance use support, wound care, OAT, TiOAT, managed alcohol, harm reduction, and referrals.

  • πŸ“ 5878 York Road, Duncan
  • πŸ“ž 250-597-7779
  • ℹ️ A major health and recovery anchor. Call to confirm.
Walk-inCall first

Verify before relying on hours or availability.

Cowichan Overdose Prevention Site

HealthRecoveryOutreach

Supervised consumption, overdose response, harm reduction supplies, naloxone, and health referrals.

  • πŸ“ 5878 York Road, Duncan
  • πŸ“ž 250-597-7779
  • πŸ•‘ Listed as 8am–9pm daily β€” verify before relying on hours.
  • ℹ️ If someone is overdosing, call 911 immediately.
Walk-in

Verify before relying on hours or availability.

Cowichan Women Against Violence Society β€” Counselling

Women's SafetyRecoveryHealth

Trauma counselling, women's safety, advocacy, and support after violence.

  • πŸ“ 246 Evans Street, Duncan
  • πŸ“ž 250-748-7000
  • ℹ️ Support may be confidential. Call to confirm.
Call firstConfidential

Verify before relying on hours or availability.

Indigenous Supports

Indigenous-led health, housing, youth, cultural, and advocacy services.

Hiiye'yu Lelum Society / House of Friendship

IndigenousOutreachFoodClothingYouth

Indigenous outreach, homelessness support, advocacy, referrals, breakfast, shower/laundry, family support, and youth/cultural programming.

  • πŸ“ #106 – 5462 Trans-Canada Highway, Duncan
  • πŸ“ž 250-748-2242
  • ℹ️ Verify current email before relying on it.
Walk-inCall first

Verify before relying on hours or availability.

Cowichan Tribes Main Office

IndigenousOutreach

Administration, social development pathways, member services, Elders support, and referrals.

  • πŸ“ 5760 Allenby Road, Duncan
  • πŸ“ž 250-748-3196
  • ℹ️ Call to confirm the right department for your need.
Call first

Verify before relying on hours or availability.

Ts'ewulhtun Health Centre β€” Cowichan Tribes Health

IndigenousHealthFood

Public health, chronic disease support, health education, foot care, Good Food Box, and traditional and non-traditional healing support.

  • πŸ“ 5768 Allenby Road, Duncan
  • πŸ“ž 250-746-6184
  • πŸ‘₯ Who it's for: Cowichan Tribes / status members. Verify eligibility.
Call first

Verify before relying on hours or availability.

Cowichan Tribes Youth Services / Quw'utsun Youth Centre

IndigenousYouth

Youth drop-in, safe space, activities, and cultural programs.

  • πŸ“ 470 Trans-Canada Highway, Duncan
  • πŸ“ž 250-746-0607
  • πŸ‘₯ Who it's for: Local youth, roughly ages 12–18. Verify current age range and hours.
Walk-inCall first

Verify before relying on hours or availability.

M'akola Housing Society

IndigenousHousing

Indigenous housing and affordable housing.

  • πŸ“ 26–3170 Gibbins Road, Duncan
  • πŸ“ž 250-746-1785
  • ℹ️ Verify applications and waitlist process.
Referral neededCall first

Verify before relying on hours or availability.

Legal Aid BC β€” Indigenous Community Legal Workers, Duncan

IndigenousLegal

Family law, child protection, housing law, wills and estates, court accompaniment, legal process explanation, and referrals.

  • πŸ“ Duncan Provincial Court, 302–238 Government Street, Duncan
  • πŸ“ž 250-748-1160
  • πŸ•‘ Listed as Mon–Fri 8:30am–4:30pm β€” verify before going.
Call first

Verify before relying on hours or availability.

Women's Safety

Safety, counselling, advocacy, and shelter for women and children.

Cowichan Women Against Violence Society

Women's SafetyRecoveryOutreach

Women's safety, counselling, advocacy, shelter connection, and violence support.

  • πŸ“ 246 Evans Street, Duncan
  • πŸ“ž 250-748-7000
  • ℹ️ Support may be confidential. Call to confirm.
Call firstConfidential

Verify before relying on hours or availability.

Somenos Transition House

Women's SafetyShelter

Emergency shelter for women and children fleeing violence.

  • πŸ“ž 250-748-8544
  • ℹ️ Confidential support. Call first.
Call firstConfidential

Verify before relying on hours or availability.

Cedar Branches Women's Shelter

Women's SafetyShelter

Low-barrier women's shelter and safety support.

  • πŸ“ 1081 Canada Avenue, Duncan
  • πŸ“ž 250-466-9492
  • ℹ️ 24/7 wet shelter. Verify access rules.
Walk-inCall first

Verify before relying on hours or availability.

Youth Services

Drop-in, counselling, safe shelter, and activities for youth.

CMHA Youth Centre

YouthRecoveryHealth

Youth drop-in, counselling, diversion, activities, and mental health connection.

  • πŸ“ 360 Festubert Street, Duncan
  • πŸ“ž 250-746-5512
  • πŸ•‘ Listed as Mon–Fri 10am–6pm β€” verify before going.
  • πŸ‘₯ Who it's for: Youth roughly ages 12–19.
Walk-inCall first

Verify before relying on hours or availability.

Mischa Lelum Youth Emergency Shelter

YouthShelter

Emergency youth shelter and safety support.

  • πŸ“ 190 Hemlock Avenue, Duncan
  • πŸ“ž 250-732-8415
  • πŸ‘₯ Who it's for: Youth around ages 15–18.
  • ℹ️ Verify current eligibility.
Call first

Verify before relying on hours or availability.

Cowichan Tribes Youth Services / Quw'utsun Youth Centre

YouthIndigenous

Youth drop-in, cultural programs, and safe activities.

  • πŸ“ 470 Trans-Canada Highway, Duncan
  • πŸ“ž 250-746-0607
  • ℹ️ Verify current age range and hours.
Walk-inCall first

Verify before relying on hours or availability.

Cowichan Family Life Association

YouthOutreach

Family and youth support.

  • ℹ️ Verify current programs, phone, and referral process before going.
Call first

Verify before relying on hours or availability.

Clothing & Hygiene

Clothing, showers, laundry, and basic-needs support.

Salvation Army Thrift Store β€” Duncan

Clothing

Thrift clothing and household items.

  • πŸ“ 280 Trans-Canada Highway, Duncan
  • πŸ“ž 250-746-7032
  • ℹ️ Vouchers may be available through Community & Family Services.
Walk-in

Verify before relying on hours or availability.

Duncan United Church Thrift

ClothingFood

Thrift clothing, goods, and community connection.

  • πŸ“ 246 Ingram Street, Duncan
  • πŸ“ž 250-746-6043
  • ℹ️ Verify current hours before going.
Walk-inCall first

Verify before relying on hours or availability.

New Life Church Duncan

ClothingOutreach

Clothing and furniture support and practical needs.

  • πŸ“ 1839 Tzouhalem Road, Duncan
  • πŸ“ž 250-748-6521
  • ℹ️ Call to confirm current details.
Call first

Verify before relying on hours or availability.

Hiiye'yu Lelum / House of Friendship

ClothingIndigenousFoodOutreach

Shower/laundry access, breakfast, Indigenous outreach, advocacy, and referrals.

  • πŸ“ #106 – 5462 Trans-Canada Highway, Duncan
  • πŸ“ž 250-748-2242
Walk-inCall first

Verify before relying on hours or availability.

CMHA Adult Outreach Team

ClothingOutreachFood

Hygiene kits, snacks, clothing, and outreach support for people outside or precariously housed.

  • πŸ“ž 250-597-1372
  • ℹ️ Verify current route/schedule.
Walk-inCall first

Verify before relying on hours or availability.

Immigrant & Newcomer Help

Settlement, employment, language, and newcomer navigation.

Cowichan Intercultural Society / Immigrant Welcome Centre

ImmigrantOutreach

Settlement support, immigrant and refugee support, employment help, English classes, childcare support, and newcomer navigation.

  • πŸ“ 321 St. Julien Street, Duncan
  • πŸ“ž 250-748-3112
  • βœ‰οΈ office@cis-iwc.org
  • ℹ️ The main Cowichan newcomer support hub.
Walk-inCall first

Verify before relying on hours or availability.

Volunteer & Community Support

Volunteer coordination and community capacity building.

Volunteer Cowichan

Outreach

Volunteer coordination, Better at Home seniors support, youth volunteer training, and community capacity.

  • πŸ“ 149 Canada Avenue #3, Duncan
  • πŸ“ž 250-748-2133
  • βœ‰οΈ vc@volunteercowichan.bc.ca
  • ℹ️ Not always direct emergency help, but important for connecting volunteers and programs.
Call first

Verify before relying on hours or availability.

⚠️ Known Gaps in the Cowichan Support System

Cowichan has many strong organizations, but some needs are still hard to meet. These gaps matter because people often fall through them.

Family & couples shelter

Limited emergency shelter options for couples, parents, and families.

Youth 18–24

Youth aging out of services may have fewer clear pathways.

Rural access

Cobble Hill, Chemainus, Lake Cowichan, Ladysmith, and remote areas may have fewer walk-in services.

After-hours support

Many services close in the evening or on weekends.

Specialized mental health & trauma care

Waitlists or limited programs may exist.

Detox & treatment beds

Access can be limited and may require referral or travel.

Storage / lockers

People without housing may struggle to safely store documents, medication, clothing, and gear.

πŸ”„ How Referrals Often Work

Step 1

Person needs help

Step 2

Duncan Survival Hub / 2-1-1 / outreach worker

Step 3

Food Β· shelter Β· health Β· housing Β· Indigenous support Β· women's safety Β· youth Β· legal aid

Step 4

Follow-up plan

A person can call 2-1-1, visit Duncan Survival Hub, or talk to an outreach worker.

Food programs may be walk-in or require ID / an advance call.

Shelters depend on bed availability.

Transitional and subsidized housing usually require applications, referrals, or the BC Housing registry.

Health and recovery services may accept walk-ins for some programs, but appointments or referrals may be needed.

Women's safety services may be confidential.

Indigenous services may have eligibility rules depending on Nation, status, or program funding.

Youth services often have age ranges.

Duncan Survival Hub is an independent, community-made survival resource. It does not replace emergency services, professional medical care, legal advice, or official agency intake.