2026 has marked a year of significant reflection and change for the Central Okanagan Elizabeth Fry Society (COEFS). Our organization has been providing support and services, awareness and advocacy for survivors of Intimate Partner Violence, Sexual Assault/Exploitation and Child Abuse in the Central Okanagan since 1972.

The landscape has changed, services in our community have evolved, and it has become increasingly difficult for COEFS to provide sustainable, quality services.  For the past several years, the COEFS team has worked tirelessly to keep the doors open and maintain a level of service to meet the growing need.  However, the increasing costs of doing business, funding constraints, difficulties maintaining appropriate staffing levels, and a desire to avoid duplication of services in the community have led the Board of Directors to take a hard look at our organizational health, effectiveness, and sustainability.  

After careful consideration and consultation, our Board of Directors will be winding down the Central Okanagan Elizabeth Fry Society and transitioning any assets to some of our most trusted community partners in the coming months.

We understand that change is hard and that so many of you have invested in the COEFS for years. We have full faith in the incredible organizations that are taking on these programs.  We want to stress that many community agencies have been working together for years to determine how to best meet the needs of our community, how we work more effectively together, and how to do this in a way that is organizationally and operationally sustainable.  

Effective April 1st, 2026, the Central Okanagan Elizabeth Fry Society transitioned our government funded Community‑Based Victim Services: Domestic Violence Unit and the Family/Sexual Violence programs, and the Sexual Assault Services program to Kelowna Women’s Shelter (KWS) lead by Executive Director, Michelle Dickie. All active clients will continue to receive the support and services they rely on. These programs support individuals of all genders and are grounded in inclusive, client‑centred practice and transition further strengthens a coordinated, responsive, and accessible system of care for adults, children, and youth impacted by abuse and sexualized violence across the community.  Connecting with the KWS team is a great first step in an individual’s journey to get help. The KWS team is organized and designed to help.

Learn more at: https://www.kelownawomensshelter.com/programs or to make a referral please email referrals@kelownawomensshelter.com.

The Kelowna Child & Youth Advocacy Centre (CYAC), led by CEO, Ginny Becker took over our Child & Youth Counsellor position and clients on April 1st, 2026.  The CYAC is designed to accommodate a team of highly skilled multi-disciplinary professionals who are empowered to collaborate on cases, take actions that prevent re-victimization, and support the child's long-term well-being, as well as non-offending caregivers.  This approach is exactly what our community needs and should be nurtured and supported. Learn more at:  https://cyackelowna.com

The issues of intimate partner violence, sexualized violence & exploitation, and child abuse unfortunately, are not going away.  This is exactly why we need strong collaborative leadership, streamlined services, enhanced advocacy and a vision to ensure that the community continues to give generously in support of these organizations that are doing excellent work, every single day.

We recognize that we would not have been able to provide the critical support and services, awareness and advocacy without the generosity and deep support of our many wonderful community partners, donors, volunteers, staff and funders these past 50 plus years.  We were the first, and we set the bar in the community. We are grateful to the EFry movement that continues to serve and advocate in communities across Canada.  

We thank each and every one of you for your contributions, from the bottom of our hearts. 

If you have questions or concerns, please contact our Executive Operations Consultant, Shelagh Turner at shelaght@efryokanagan.com.

With gratitude on behalf of the volunteer COEFS Board of Directors,

Nina Gregoire