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July 11, 2007
Re: Proposed support recovery housing at 8180 Ash Street,
Richmond, B.C.
Dear Resident:
I am writing today to provide you with an update on Turning
Point Recovery Society (“Turning Point”) and our proposal to
develop 8180 Ash Street for use as a residential support
recovery facility.
We are proposing to provide two 10-bed primary recovery
facilities (one for men and one for women) and a transitional
housing facility for up to 20 individuals on Ash Street.
Importantly, with our new facility, Turning Point will give
priority placement to women to make it easier for them to get
the help they need. One of the 2 primary recovery facilities
will be devoted to serving women and two 2-bedroom suites in the
transitional housing residence will be devoted to serving single
mothers with young children.
About Turning Point
Established in 1982, Turning Point is British Columbia’s leading
residential support recovery service provider. As a non-profit,
charitable organization, our mission is to provide individuals
with supportive, abstinence-based housing where they may recover
from problematic substance use.
Turning Point currently operates two houses in Vancouver and one
house in Richmond at 10411 Odlin Road. Our house on Odlin Road
has 9 beds and has been operating for 8 years without incident.
Our good relations and good standing with our neighbours
demonstrate that Turning Point is a quiet and dependable
neighbour that makes a valuable contribution to our community
and society as a whole.
• Our residents come to us as individuals who are motivated to
change and improve their lives. They are not mandated to our
programs by court orders. They seek our services voluntarily
because they have a strong desire to remain free from alcohol
and/or drug use and are willing to go to any lengths to get
well.
• Turning Point residents are screened before intake and must be
detoxified for 48 hours before admission. Our program requires
that residents participate in abstinent based services including
individual and group counselling, life-skills, stress
management, conflict resolution skill development, substance
abuse education, employment and work skills development, health,
and relapse prevention education.
• Turning Point operates with rules and policies in place that
ensure the well being of our residents and the greater
community. Supervision is in place 24 hours a day, 7 days a
week. At the proposed site on Ash Street, two staff will live on
the property and a minimum of one staff person will be awake
during the overnight shift. Although visitors are allowed at
Turning Point and encouraged to support the residents, overnight
guests are not permitted
Turning Point is licensed under the provincial government’s
Community Care Adult Facilities Act, and we meet or exceed all
standards set out in our contract with the Vancouver Coastal
Health Authority. We are also incorporated under British
Columbia’s Society Act and our operations are governed by a
12-member board comprised of professionals from within the
community.
Meeting an urgent need in Richmond
Turning Point’s proposal offers a practical solution to an
urgent problem that affects us all. The problem of addiction
resides in all communities across the Lower Mainland, including
Richmond. More support recovery beds are required to help solve
one of the most pressing health and social issues facing our
society today.
• Importantly, our proposal will deliver greatly needed services
to women by delivering 10 support recovery beds devoted to women
and providing two 2-bedroom suites for single mothers with young
children. We are committed to providing women with priority
placement to make it easier for them to get the help they need.
Research clearly demonstrates that when housed in their own
communities among family members and support systems, people
have a far greater likelihood of success in remaining abstinent.
Rezoning Application
As our June 1st letter to the community advised, we received
funding to proceed with our application to rezone the property
on Ash Street. We subsequently submitted our application to the
City on July 5, 2007, and anticipate that a sign will be posted
on the property in the coming weeks to advise neighbours and the
general public of our application. It is anticipated that the
current house will be demolished over the coming months so that
the necessary studies to determine the viability of the site for
our proposal may be completed. Please also be advised that there
will be workers at the site conducting various surveys and
investigations related to the rezoning application in the coming
weeks.
Neighbourhood Liaison Committee
As stated in our previous letters, we have established a
Neighbourhood Liaison Committee of 10-12 persons. The committee
is primarily made up of neighbours living adjacent to the
property as well as individuals who are representing others in
the community such as the Parents Advisory Council from DeBeck
Elementary School. We have held three meetings to date. In an
effort to facilitate productive dialogue, we have limited the
number of members, however if you live adjacent to the property
and for some reason were not notified about the committee,
please contact us if you are interested in participating. We
will do our best to accommodate all requests while maintaining a
practical size limit on the Committee.
As we have from day one, we will continue to keep you updated on
our progress and will notify you in advance of our public open
houses in the community. In the meantime, please call me if you
have any questions or if you would like to tour our Odlin Road
facility. I may be reached at 604-303-6844.
Sincerely,
Brenda L. Plant
Executive Director
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