And then there were three.
On January 1st, the Penticton-based mens' recovery program known as Discovery House will officially open its third residence. Located near the centre of the city, Gratitude House, as it's known, will provide independent living for four men who've already gone through the program's initial stages and are now seeking to reestablish themselves into the community.
And, says Jerome Abraham, executive director of overseeing organization Penticton Recovery Resource Society, the third facility didn't come a moment too soon.
"With the success of our primary care home, we have a lot of guys who are ready right now to move into independent or semi-independent living. But because of the rental situation in Penticton, it's very difficult for the to do so on their own."
"There's so much demand that the rents are either astronomical or the place is really run down and the landlord's not taking care of it. And they don't care because they're going to get someone in there anyways."
But at Gratitude House, four men will live under a single roof, thus minimizing the financial burden on each. That it's also a brand new home means they won't be living in undesirable conditions. And for that, Abraham has plenty of praise for the landlord.
"I actually met the landlord and his wife at a leadership conference I went to years ago. We got to know each other and they got to learn a bit about Discovery House, and they've been interested in helping us out."
"So while I was looking for a new facility, I came across this place and contacted him to ask what he thought about some Discovery House guys renting independently. I told him that we have guys ready to move in here right now."
The landlord agreed, and Abraham calls it "fantastic."
"The guys are paying their own way at this house. They have an agreement direct with the landlord, who's generously indicated he's willing to work with us in the future if this goes well. There's a lot of faith here from the landlord, and a lot of faith from our board."
But there's more to Gratitude House than simple lodging. According to Abraham, the opportunity of full-blown recovery improves dramatically when clients get a little added time together.
"These houses, the one on Wade Avenue and this one, are more for guys to have that half or three-quarter step before they're out on their own. Some of these guys come to us with 20 or 30 years of substance abuse. Some started young and maybe they've never lived on their own. So this is a chance for those guys to live together and learn how to work in a community while they continue their recovery."
"The success rate after they leave our primary house on Winnipeg Street is in the 35- to 45-percent range. But it's more like 75-percent with guys who stay a bit longer."
Abraham says Gratitude House residents will have weekly meetings with staff and alumni to discuss issues beyond addictions, such as jobs and family reconciliation. But it is, he cautioned, a pilot project. And he's adopted a wait and see attitude as to the next steps.
"It is a pilot project, so we'll have to see how it goes. There's even been talk of the guys just staying here as their own fully independent place and us just finding another home for other guys."
In the meantime, Gratitude House needs gear. A couch arrived just prior to our look at the place, but they still need stuff like kitchenware, tables, dressers, and other day-to-day essentials.
"Most of these guys have nothing," said Discovery House operations manager Blaine Russell.
If you have something that could help, call the Discovery House main line at 250-490-3076 and ask for Ben.
