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May 3, 2007
Re: 8180 Ash Street, Richmond, B.C.
Dear Resident:
As you may be aware, Turning Point Recovery Society (“Turning
Point”) is interested in developing a residential recovery
facility on property owned by BC Housing at 8180 Ash Street.
Turning Point has applied to BC Housing for funding, but this is
yet to be approved. If we receive funding for our proposal from
BC Housing, we would then apply to the City of Richmond to
rezone the property. Without the necessary funding our project
will not proceed.
Despite the fact that our project is still somewhat uncertain,
we feel it is important to provide you with information
regarding Turning Point and our project proposal for the Ash
Street property.
Turning Point Recovery Society
Established in 1982, Turning Point is British Columbia’s leading
residential recovery service provider. As a charitable
organization, our mission is to provide individuals with safe,
supportive, abstinence-based housing where they may recover from
the disease of addiction.
Turning Point operates two houses in Vancouver and one in
Richmond at 10411 Odlin Road. Our home at Odlin Road serves 9
residents and has been operating for 8 years. Prior to moving to
Odlin in 1999, we operated a residence at 6260 Adam’s Place for
6 years.
We are proud to have made a significant and positive
contribution to the communities where we have operated for over
25 years.
The Turning Point Program
Turning Point is licensed under the provincial government’s
Community Care Adult Facilities Act, and we meet and exceed the
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.
Importantly, our residents come to us as individuals that are
motivated to change and improve their lives. They are not
mandated to our programs: they seek our services voluntarily
because they have a strong desire to remain free from alcohol
and drug use.
Our program is abstinence based, and our residents are not
permitted to use alcohol or drugs on our premised. Generally,
they are discharged from the program if they use drugs or
alcohol.
Turning Point operates with rules and policies in place that
ensure the wellbeing of our residents and the greater community.
If our rules are violated, our residents are referred elsewhere
for assistance.
The full participation of our residents in our programs is
mandatory. Our residents participate in individual and group
counseling and are required to attend 12-step meetings in the
community. They receive life skills and employment training.
They spend the majority of their days involved in program
activities and/or employment.
A quiet and dependable neighbour
When our recovery house opened on Odlin Road in 1999, some
concern was expressed whether Turning Point would be an
appropriate neighbour for the community. Since that time, our
good relations and good standing with our neighbours demonstrate
that Turning Point is a quiet and dependable neighbour.
Allegations that our house on Odlin Road would affect property
values, require police visits, or attract drug dealers have been
shown to be patently false.
The facts speak for themselves: Turning Point has quietly
operated in the neighbourhood without any problems whatsoever.
Few, beyond our immediate neighbours, are even aware that we
provide recovery services. We expect this to be the case should
we proceed to develop the Ash Street property.
Need For Recovery Programs in Richmond
With one in five persons in British Columbia affected by
addiction, it is likely that you may know someone who needs
help. There is an urgent need for addictions services in the
Lower Mainland. This is especially true in Richmond where there
are no residential recovery facilities for women, and where no
second-stage residential housing exists.
It is because of this need that Turning Point is proposing to
develop 8180 Ash Street. The site is currently zoned to permit
institutional uses such as ours. However, the City of Richmond
requires rezoning and development permit approval because of the
additional units we are proposing for the site.
Because BC Housing owns this property, it is likely that any
future development that takes place there will be for a similar
housing or social service program.
Your involvement and input
If Turning Point is provided the funding to initiate the
rezoning and development permit process, we will immediately
initiate a Community Liaison Committee (CLC).
We are inviting neighbours adjacent to the Ash Street property
and other stakeholders to participate on the committee.
The committee will provide a forum for you and other community
members to provide input into various aspects of our proposal.
We encourage you to support the committee process and
participate in public information sessions that we will be
hosting to inform residents and seek your input into our project
proposal.
Last, I would also invite you to contact us to tour our Odlin
Road facility. We are prepared to provide local residents with a
tour of our facility to show you first hand that Turning Point
is a good and dependable neighbour that will add, and not
takeaway, from the quality of life in your neighbourhood.
Thank you for your time and consideration. Please call me if you
have any questions or 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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