Miklat Recovery Society will be operating a recovery facility out of the former St. John Ambulance building at 5907 Arbutus Avenue in the Townsite.
The society is a registered charity, dedicated to providing cost-effective residential treatment to people suffering with substance use disorder in Powell River and throughout BC.
“We are pleased to announce that we have signed a long-term lease agreement with the Powell River Regional Hospital District to develop a second and third stage recovery facility at the former St. John Ambulance building,” said Fraser Ross, Miklat Recovery Society clinical director. “This location is ideally situated next to the Powell River Alano Club, local restaurants, stores and the movie theater. Its purpose is to meet the need for housing with supports for people recovering from substance use disorders such as alcohol or drug addiction.
“The yet-to-be named Arbutus recovery facility will provide a positive environment to assist individuals transitioning back into the community.”
Ross said initial plans are to provide approximately 20 beds for people who have successfully graduated from Miklat’s intensive 90-day treatment program and who are stable and ready to return to the workforce.
“Each client will have a well-thought-out plan in place that outlines their goals, including volunteer work, employment and educational plans,” said Ross. “Staff will closely support and monitor clients’ progress as they begin to navigate their way back into productive roles in the community.”
Some services being developed include aftercare programs such as alumni meetings, wellness activities such as guided meditations, yoga, fitness classes, career exploration courses, first-aid training, relapse prevention training and other therapeutic and psychoeducational programs.
“We are currently designing special focus groups for pain, grief, relapse prevention and post-traumatic stress disorder,” said Ross. “Some of the therapies our counsellors utilize in group and individual counselling are cognitive behavioural therapy, 12-step, motivational therapy, logotherapy, inner-child work, and we follow the bio-psycho-socio-spiritual model of treatment.”
Ross said the society’s goal has been to fundraise and apply for various community grants in order to begin renovation of the interior of the building in the summer and fall of 2020. This will include a main office area, bedrooms, showers, commercial kitchen, exercise area, dining room and meeting hall. Maintenance and upkeep of the exterior of the building will be continually maintained by Miklat Society.
“Unfortunately, due to COVID-19, plans have been pushed back and we are reevaluating our building designs,” said Ross. “We have also seen a dramatic drop in charitable donations, resulting in a financial shortfall that will have an additional effect on our timeline.
The society is currently seeking skilled individuals for grant writing, marketing and fundraising who are interested in assisting the non-profit to grow, expand and provide care for a vulnerable population.
“We are also seeking local construction professionals and tradespeople who are willing to donate their services to help get the second stage facility opened,” added Ross. “In the not too distant future, we also plan to develop a women’s program, which we will announce at a later date. Our goal is to provide a continuum of care, which is vitally necessary in order for people to not fall through the cracks.”
