It was very rewarding to finally see the opening of the new Turning Point Recovery Society home for women last week.
Not only does it provide a safe environment and valuable program for women who are facing and overcoming addictions, it fulfills the priority outlined in the Citys Affordable Housing strategy to address the needs of those in our community who need assistance.
Valuable lessons have been learned over the years from experiences of group homes being introduced to Richmond.
Over a decade ago, the city created a group home task force. The task force held formal meetings, developed a public consultation process, conducted research and created a publication to inform Richmond residents about the requirements, needs and benefits of supporting group homes throughout the city.
As a result of all this work, in 2002, council approved a set of policies for licensed and unlicensed group homes.
And in 2007, council approved the Affordable Housing Strategy, which focuses on ensuring a range of housing options are available for individuals and households of different ages, types and incomes.
For the Turning Point womens house, the group home process included written notification to neighbours in an extended radius of the house as well as an invitation to a public information meeting hosted by the city, Vancouver Coastal Health and Turning Point Recovery Society.
Extensive information was provided by each partner, as well as, contact names and numbers for the home as well as the city.
The home is licensed by Vancouver Coastal Health, and the operators embrace the Province of BCs Good Neighbour objectives.
This home is a great example of how partnerships among levels of government and the non-profit sector can lead to an important addition to help strengthen our community.
With Turning Point Recovery Society providing experienced operation and management, Vancouver Coastal Health and BC Housing providing some of the operating funds and the city making the house available we are collectively helping to make a valuable and much needed program a reality.
The Turning Point womens home is especially welcome because it is exclusively for women, a goal which many community groups have been working towards in Richmond for many years.
Previously, women who lived in Richmond had to move to other cities to get help and consequently were away from their neighbourhood, families and support groups.
It is difficult enough for a family member or friend to finally make the decision that they want to break free of their addiction and it is even more difficult if they have to move away from their loved ones to get help.
Remember, these are women who want to break their addiction and voluntarily enter a recovery home to get the help they need.
These are our mothers, sisters, daughters and friends. They deserve and should have our support as they take this very important step on the road to recovery.
Now that Richmond has a home for women with addictions, as well as Chimo Nova House, which provides a short term home and counselling support for women in crisis, we need to focus on a shelter for homeless women.
The city alone cannot adequately address this. We need the support of other levels of government, non-profit organizations and private sector to all contribute.
We have a number of beds in Richmond for men, but none thus far for women.
Thank you to the many neighbours who showed interest and also voiced their support for the home.
