Red Deer Dream Centre is proud to say that seven clients have graduated its program since the addiction treatment centre opened 14 months ago.
And another two clients are expected to graduate in February.
Board president Wes Giesbrecht said an important part of the recovery process is having the support of family, friends and peers, employment waiting for them and a place to live.
“Really it’s the community around them that helps them succeed,” Giesbrecht said.
The Christian-based facility for men is located at the former Lotus nightclub site, at 4614 50th Ave., and has space for 40 beds.
In 2018, a grassroots movement led by a group of local businessmen championed the centre, and in 2020 construction was approved and $1.4 million was raised for renovations. The official grand opening was held in June.
Clients can stay up to 12 months to access services designed to address the physical, emotional, and mental side of addiction, as well as offer spiritual support.
Related:
Red Deer Dream Centre celebrates official grand opening
When efforts to create the Dream Centre began five years ago, there were no local residential addiction treatment options in the city, and now there are two centres.
The Dream Centre opened to clients about seven months before the government-funded Red Deer Recovery Community, a 75-bed facility in north Red Deer, operated by EHN Canada.
Giesbrecht said there’s a need for both facilities. There are some people who don’t want to participate in treatment with a faith component.
“That’s totally fine. That’s a choice every individual needs to make. It’s important that you give options.”
About 60 per cent of the Dream Centre’s current clients are from Red Deer, with the rest from points near and far in Central Alberta, so word has spread about the centre, he said.
Since opening, the centre has received about 290 applications from people inquiring about its services, and 41 have entered the program.
“We’ve had some come and some leave. It just wasn’t their time.”
Related:
But those who are ready to do the recovery work appreciate the caring environment that they say makes the centre feel like home, he added.
“We’re listening very closely to what the guys are saying,” said Giesbrecht about providing a supportive program.
Clients pay what they can afford and the centre continues to be funded through donations. It also relies on the work of dedicated volunteers.
Giesbrecht said donors and volunteers have said yes to the Dream Centre. An end of year fundraising campaign is expected to surpass its $150,000 goal.
“We all have to ban together and link arms and do this together. There’s tremendous power in that.”
szielinski@reddeeradvocate.com
Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter
