Fresh Start Addiction Treatment Program

Since our last report in November, 2023 we have achieved 2 significant milestones. Our newest 50-bed treatment facility in Lethbridge (“Site 3”) achieved full occupancy and its first group celebrated the completion of their treatment program at Site 3's inaugural Gratitude Ceremony.

We also welcomed the first occupants of our new 36-unit post-treatment housing apartment building. This building will be home to up to 66 people, providing affordable, secure housing along with support from Fresh Start Peer Support Workers. This long-term support will make an enormous difference to individuals and families on their Recovery journey.

Since our last report, we have achieved the following:  

• 202 people actively participated in the intensive 90-day Phase 1 recovery program at Fresh Starts 3 sites in Calgary and Lethbridge.   
• 105 people participated in Phase 2 of our program. Phase 2 is a 100-day transitional phase that builds on the work done in the initial 90-day program. 
• 71 people participated in Phase 3 which includes living in transitional housing units or returning to community with continued access to Outreach support and involvement with Fresh Start Alumni.
• 39 people participated in Phase 4, living in Fresh Start’s post-treatment housing.
• Note that the Phase 2, 3 and 4 numbers include clients living in community, in the main Fresh Start treatment facilities or in our post-treatment housing.
• 24 people participated in our Family Healing Program that helps people who have someone in their life who is affected by addiction. The program helps people deal with the effects of their loved one’s addiction on themand learn how to live in recovery also. 

• The first group of Site 3 "Gratitudees" (PDF)
  

The gentleman in the picture is James, a Fresh Start alumnus. At an Alumni Milestone celebration event earlier this year, he took three years of continuous sobriety. He mentioned the financial support that he was getting, highlighting its transformative impact on his life. He had previously experienced challenges completing education goals because of financial difficulty. After completing treatment at Fresh Start, James moved into Fresh Start’s post-treatment housing, served as vice chair of our alumni association, and began to realize his ambitions. While working part-time at our facility, he embarked on a journey in Nursing school. With the financial support of Fresh Start, made possible by donations from the community, he has completed his education program and has achieved his goal of becoming a Nurse. Now, living independently, he dedicates himself to the community, engaging as a full-time Nurse and case worker at the Adolescent Addiction Recovery Center (AARC), guiding young people through recovery, and contributing part-time at the South Health Campus Hospital. Your donations not only supported his journey but also helped foster his commitment to serving others.

 Since our last report in July of 2023, we have achieved the following:  

• 170 people actively participated in the intensive 90-day Phase 1 recovery program.   
• 82 people participated in Phase 2 of our program. Phase 2 is a 100-day transitional phase that builds on the work done in the initial 90-day program. 
• 65 people participated in Phase 3 which includes living in transitional housing units or returning to community with continued access to Outreach support and involvement with Fresh Start Alumni.
• 64 people participated in Phase 4, living in Fresh Start’s post-treatment housing.
• Note that the Phase 2, 3 and 4 numbers include clients living in community, in the main Fresh Start facilities or in our post-treatment housing.
• 16 people participated in our Family Healing Program that helps people who have someone in their life who is affected by addiction. The program helps people deal with the effects of their loved one’s addiction on themand learn how to live in recovery also.