Desert Sun Counselling & Resource Centre

10/23/2025

💜 Big thank you to Shelby and Okanagan Laser Lounge! 💜

We’re so grateful to Shelby for donating proceeds from her pop-up laser clinic last weekend — raising $1,000 for Desert Sun in support of Domestic Violence Awareness Month!

Your kindness and community spirit mean the world to us. 💜 October is all about raising awareness and supporting those impacted by domestic violence, and we couldn’t do it without amazing local partners like you!

10/23/2025

Thank you to Double O Quilters for so generously supporting Desert Sun over the years with these beautiful quilts. 🫶

10/21/2025

Thank you Monie of for donating proceeds from the Wine Country Weekend Shuttle to Desert Sun. Your support and heart for our community is super appreciated!

10/20/2025

🎟️ Don’t Miss Out — Get Your Tickets Today! 🍲

We’re just under 4 weeks away from our sought after community event — Empty Bowls & Baskets Kick-Off Fundraiser! You've asked and we've listened!

You’ll taste and vote on the best soup from this incredible lineup of talented chefs:

👨‍🍳 Chandrakant Pote – Manzil Restaurant at Kismet Winery
👩‍🍳 Melissa Genberg – Queen of the South
👨‍🍳 Nick Urry – Soupertime
👨‍🍳 Shawn Cheer – Nk’Mip Cellars
👨‍🍳 Barrie McConachie – Finalist, MasterChef Canada
👨‍🍳 Janik Livera – Maverick Estate Winery
👨‍🍳 Matt Leyes – Black Sage Butcher
👨‍🍳 Stephen Sheridan – Thai on the Fly Food Truck
👨‍🍳 Derek Uhlemann – Oliver Eats Ltd.
👩‍🍳 Lyndsay Beck – Gino’s Coffee House

✨ Enjoy an evening filled with great soups, friendly competition, door prizes, silent auction, entertainment by Stephen Toon of Toonmade and enjoy all the community spirit — all in support of Desert Sun Counselling & Resource Centre.

🎟️ Get your tickets today through our website (desertsun.ca) or at our Oliver and Osoyoos offices.
Let’s fill our bowls, fill our hearts, and make a difference together. 💛

10/10/2025

10/08/2025

💜 Shine a Light Against Domestic Violence — Let’s Go Purple

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month in Oliver and Osoyoos — a time to stand together, raise awareness, and show solidarity with survivors. This October, we invite local businesses, households, and institutions to light up purple in their windows or facades as a visible signal: we see you, we support you, you are not alone.

How you can help:

Turn on a purple light, or place a purple lights or poster in your window.

Share your purple display on social media with a local hashtag

Encourage others — tag neighbouring businesses, friends, and local groups.

This small gesture can spark conversations, reduce stigma, and help those who are suffering in silence.

10/07/2025

Men's Group is starting up again for the fall! To register please call our office 250-498-2538 ext. "0".

This weekly group provides a secure, encouraging, and private setting for men to examine their own emotional health, talk about their present difficulties, and relate to and comprehend others going through comparable difficulties. All men are welcome to join this group, which covers a variety of mental health issues such as stress, anxiety, depression, loneliness, low self-esteem, and life transitions.

Each session is participant-driven, which involves members sharing what they’re currently experiencing, and through the shared experience the group will collectively identify a topic based on shared themes that emerge. Through open discussion, peer support, and guided reflection, participants are encouraged to explore emotions, develop healthy coping strategies, and foster meaningful connections. This group is ideal for men seeking a stronger sense of emotional clarity, community, and personal growth in a nonjudgmental environment.

Michael Dimitrov, MSc, Counsellor
Special focus: Men’s mental health, anxiety, depression, and trauma

10/01/2025

Shine Bright in Purple this October!

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and for the third year in a row, the towns of Oliver and Osoyoos have declared October, Domestic Violence Awareness month. We are calling on businesses and community members to help raise awareness and show support. Desert Sun, is dedicated to highlighting the urgent issue of domestic violence locally and globally.

This October, let’s come together to honor survivors and support their healing journey. Here’s how you can get involved:

1. Display a Domestic Violence Awareness poster at your business.

2. Light up your home and business with purple lights to show your support.

3. Place a Purple Ribbon donation box in your business or staff room.

4. Wear a Purple Ribbon and encourage your team to do the same.

We have a limited supply of purple ribbons (available for donation) and purple lights (available for purchase). Contact our office to secure yours. Your involvement can make a powerful impact and help spread awareness throughout our community.

09/30/2025

🧡 National Day for Truth and Reconciliation 🧡

Today, we honor Survivors of residential schools, their families, and communities. We take time to reflect on the truth of this history and the ongoing impacts it has on Indigenous peoples.

As a community, we are committed to listening, learning, and walking the path of reconciliation together.

09/25/2025

Article from Castanet -

Two Osoyoos organizations will be taking over the Share the Spirit Christmas program this year.

The Rotary Club of Osoyoos and Desert Sun Counselling and Resource Centre will be succeeding the Kiwanis Club of Osoyoos' nearly 20-year program, providing gifts and food to families during Christmas.

“The Kiwanis Club has organized the program since 2006 but as our membership is aging and has dwindled in recent years, it has become impossible to continue the program as in the past, so it is time to pass the responsibility to the Rotary Club of Osoyoos and Desert Sun,” said Donna Kelso, Share the Spirit Christmas organizer, in a press release.

Individuals, families and businesses are able to sponsor families through the program.

“It’s all about helping those in the community who don’t have a lot and ensuring they will be able to enjoy a happy and enjoyable Christmas together," Kelso said.

"Our members enjoyed doing this over the years and helped so many families have a brighter Christmas. It is something the whole community supports, and we feel confident it will continue under the stewardship of this new partnership."

Desert Sun Counselling and Resource Centre will be using existing infrastructure to identify recipients.

“We are very honoured and happy to continue the work of the Kiwanis Club under this new arrangement. In ways so hard to measure, the Kiwanis Club members have made their impact on hundreds of families over the years,” said Marieze Tarr, executive director of Desert Sun, in the press release.

Kelso approached the Rotary Club of Osoyoos when the Kiwanis said it would be looking for a successor.

“We felt it was important that The Share the Spirit Christmas program continue to benefit needy families in the community and looked to partner with Desert Sun as a way of building on the work of the Kiwanis members. It is a great example of collaboration all around,” said Valerie Rasmussen, Rotary Club of Osoyoos president.

Gifts from the Smitty’s Toys for Tots to Teens drive will later be distributed by Desert Sun.

Sponsorships and donations can be make through Desert Sun Counselling and Resource Centre in Osoyoos. Donations can also be made to the Rotary Club of Osoyoos.

09/25/2025

https://www.castanet.net/news/Oliver-Osoyoos/574056/Osoyoos-organizations-continue-longtime-Share-the-Spirit-Christmas-program

Two Osoyoos organizations will be taking over the Share the Spirit Christmas program this year.

09/22/2025

🎉🥣 Empty Bowls Kick-Off Party is back! 🎉🥣

Your ticket includes a beautiful bowl to take home AND a night full of fun! ✨
🍲 Local chefs will compete for the Best Soup Title – you get to taste & vote!
🎶 Live entertainment, silent auction, 50/50 draw, door prizes & more.

🎟️ Tickets are limited – don’t wait, grab yours today and be part of this community celebration!

👉 Get your tickets now at desertsun.ca
or call 250-498-2538 ext. "0".

💛 Locals Helping Locals 💛