About Us

The name ‘Ksan derives from a First Nations word meaning "river of mist," inspired by the Skeena River, a place of cultural, historical, and geographic significance in the region.

Founded in 1979, ‘Ksan Society is a community-based charitable organization serving Terrace and surrounding communities. The Society delivers a broad range of housing, anti-violence, support, food security, and community-based programs that assist individuals and families experiencing complex challenges, including homelessness, housing instability, poverty, family violence, mental health concerns, substance use, and other barriers to well-being.

Through emergency shelter, transition and supportive housing, victim services, violence prevention programs, food security initiatives, and community supports, ‘Ksan works to create safe, inclusive, and supportive environments where people can access housing, resources, and opportunities to improve their quality of life.

The Society operates multiple housing sites and community programs and works collaboratively with Indigenous organizations, government partners, funders, service providers, and community stakeholders to address emerging needs and strengthen local support systems.

For more than 40 years, ‘Ksan has continued to evolve in response to community needs while remaining grounded in its grassroots beginnings. Guided by its mission, values, and commitment to community, the organization provides compassionate, person-centered services that promote dignity, safety, stability, and belonging.

An annually elected Board of Directors brings diverse perspectives and community experience to the organization, providing governance and strategic oversight to help ensure the Society remains responsive, accountable, and aligned with community priorities.

All our services are free.

Our Locations

Our programs are primarily administered from three main service hubs.

Counselling & Support Centre - 4838 Lazelle Avenue

‘Ksan Society’s Anti-Violence Programs operate out of the C&S Centre. This includes the Transition House and Ella’s Place Second Stage Program. C&S staff can connect community members with any of ‘Ksan’s programs.

Turning Points Housing Connections - 4444 Lakelse Avenue

Our Rental Support Program, Harm Reduction, and other housing-attached support programs are administered from Turning Points. Turning Points staff can connect community members with any ‘Ksan programs, including assistance with housing applications.

‘Ksan Place - 101-2812 Hall Street

‘Ksan Place is our Food Security Programming hub, home of Food Share, lunch programs, community meals, and other food-related programs and events.

PROGRAMMING

‘Ksan Society is a charitable social service agency that provides three main areas of support in our community:

  • Anti-Violence Programming:

    • Community-Based Victim Services

    • Women’s Trauma Counselling

    • PEACE Program for Children & Youth

    • Women’s Outreach

    • Sexual Assault Support Services

  • Social Housing and Emergency Shelters:

    • Joe’s Place - emergency shelter - for men and women

    • ‘Ksan Residence & Shelter - emergency shelter - for men and women

    • Transition House - for women and their children experiencing violence

    • Sonder House - supportive housing

    • ‘Ksan Residence Transitional Units - supportive housing

    • Ella’s Place - second stage housing for women and their children

    • Terra Nova Housing - subsidized family housing

    • Mountainview Apartments - low-income housing

    • Stone Ridge Estates - affordable housing

  • Food Security and Sustainability:

    • ‘Ksan Place Greenhouse and Gardens

    • Food Share

    • Community Dinners

    • Community Luncheons

    • Food Preservation

Our supports also includes homeless prevention, harm reduction, and support recovery programs. 

A Little More

In all our programs we seek to empower the people that utilize our services to enable them to make positive choices in their lives.   As a grassroots organization we rely on community support and actively seek to inform and educate on issues relating to the imbalances within our society.  Our programs build on community capacity to address areas of high risk as many of the people they serve represent the most vulnerable of the population affected by damaging social conditions.

Our Funding

Ongoing program funding is provided by the Province of British Columbia through a number of Ministries and Crown Corporations including BC Housing, the Ministry of Public Safety & Solicitor General, Northern Health Authority, Community Gaming Grant, and the Ministry of Social Development & Poverty Reduction.  Supplemental, including project funding, comes from a variety of sources including the federal, provincial, regional, and local governments as well as public and private foundations, grant programs, and private donations.

Associations

‘Ksan Society is a member of a number of associations that provide resources, networking opportunities, and training to housing operators and social service agencies.

“I am housed. I get good food everyday. Safety. Not sleeping on the streets. Still facing hard times but I will get there.”
— Devon, 'Ksan Society Client