The new Our Place therapeutic recovery community has opened in View Royal.
The recovery centre is designed to help men, who are trying to overcome homelessness, addiction or have experience with incarceration, by providing life skills training to integrate back into the community. Participants will live on site for up to two years with the goal of them having a job and a place to live by the time they leave.
Minister of Mental Health and Addiction Judy Darcy said they used a model from Italy B次元官网网址� the San Patrignano Therapeutic Community B次元官网网址� which reports a 72 per cent recovery rate for those who complete the program.
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 a powerful example of a community saying, B次元官网网址榊es, yes in my backyard,B次元官网网址橞次元官网网址� Darcy said. B次元官网网址淎 community that took the time and then took action to help bring this therapeutic community to life.B次元官网网址�
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View Royal Mayor David Screech said there were concerns raised by residents as to what would be done with the facility after the youth detention centre, formerly in the space, closed in 2014 and Choices and transitional housing left. But the community has shown B次元官网网址渙verwhelming supportB次元官网网址� for the centre over the past year.
B次元官网网址淚t was clear that both residents and council alike saw the incredible need for a facility of this type in our region,B次元官网网址� Screech said. B次元官网网址淎nd on that basis our council was pleased to support the rezoning that allowed this centre to open.B次元官网网址�
Ryan LB次元官网网址檋irondelle, graduate from the Guthrie House Therapeutic Community in Nanaimo is now a support worker at the recovery centre in View Royal.
He was part of a pilot project at Guthrie in connection with Vancouver Island University (VIU), which allows residents who reach a certain level in the program to pursue outside education unescorted with day passes.
RELATED: Our Place applies for rezoning of the former Choices site in View Royal
In 2011, LB次元官网网址檋irondelle attended VIU to start his degree and has just completed it.
B次元官网网址淲hen I left the Guthrie House I had everything established in community, I had a home, I had a routine, I was already attending school, I had motivation and I had a lot riding on it for the guys behind me that were coming next,B次元官网网址� LB次元官网网址檋irondelle said.
Don Evans, executive director of Our Place, said the facility provides opportunities for patients to get involved in activities that could lead to a career path, including the use of a kitchen, arts and craft room and a gym.
The Ministry of Mental Health and Addictions provided $4.7 million in funding. B.C. Housing provided a $310,000 grant for renovations and $1 per year lease with no property taxes for three years.
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