A New Westminster-based recovery program has received funding to enhance access to addictions support for women and girls.
Westminster House Society, a bed-based treatment and recovery centre that has provided support to women and girls with addictions for 42 year, has received $272,000 from the province to support these services.
“When women make the brave decision to reach out for help, it’s vital the right services are in place to meet them,” New Westminster MLA Jennifer Whiteside, B.C.’s minister of mental health and addictions, said in a news release. “That’s why our government is investing in organizations like Westminster House Society. This funding ensures women and girls will continue to access the services they need and deserve on their journey to wellness, as our government continues to build an integrated system of mental-health and addictions care that works for all British Columbians.”
Westminster House Society provides services and supports for women and girls affected by addiction, including women and girls struggling with nicotine, alcohol, prescription medication and substance use, and behaviour disorders, such as problematic eating and gambling.
According to a news release from the ministry of mental health and addictions, more than 4,000 women and youth have reached out to the society for help since the declaration of the toxic drug public health emergency in 2016.
“Since the Pathway to Hope launched in 2019, Westminster House has initiated recovery to over 650 women and youth girls,” said Susan Hogarth, executive director of Westminster House Society. “The province’s investment into the programs at Westminster House will include health and wellness, as well as the addition of support staff to help our clients build recovery capital for improved quality of life.”
Leia Donnelly, a family member of a client of Westminster House Society, is grateful for the work of Westminster House.
“Westminster House Society was really supportive of our family while we were in crisis,” she said in the news release. “We are grateful for the compassion, expertise and dedication that the program shared with our family. Our daughter is now one year clean and enjoying the gifts of recovery.”
Westminster House as a number of programs that are based in New Westminster, including recovery programs for women and girls, virtual programs and family support.
