HOPE FOR FREEDOM INTRODUCTION

Welcome to Resurrection House for men and Glory House for women, the two christian based recovery facilities of the "Hope for Freedom Society". Founded in 1997, we are a registered, non-profit society situated on the outskirts of Greater Vancouver in beautiful British Columbia, Canada. Our Board of Directors consists of a group of committed Christian men and women, who govern the society in accordance with our constitution.

Our facilities provide a safe and caring drug, alcohol and violence free environment. In this setting, addicts and alcoholics can begin the process of recovery from their addictions. Clients are able to address the effects and behaviours of previous abusive lifestyles, as well as work towards becoming responsible, productive members of society. It is our belief that, given the tools and the help of God, any addict can overcome the disease of addiction if they so choose.    

Facilities are staffed by dedicated, full time, professionally trained counsellors and facilitators, together with a staff of volunteers and resource people in related fields. We provide daily access to structured treatment, with group, and one-on-one counselling for addiction and related problems, drug and alcohol education, life skills courses in communication, Spiritual direction, and motivation are also provided.

Based on the Biblical principles embodied in the Twelve Steps of Narcotics Anonymous (N.A.), the building of viable support systems as alternatives to previous living and social environments is an important part of our structure. Our focus is not only helping the addict "get clean", but also "stay clean".

Weekly client schedule includes a minimum of seven N.A. or A.A. group meetings. Two of these meetings, (Tuesday and Friday) are conducted on the premises. Step Groups (Phase 1), Life-skills group (Phase 2), are combined with drug and alcohol education, and group, throughout both Phases 1 and 2. These groups run five days a week, Monday to Friday. Clients are also given a comprehensive set of Twelve Step guides, and are required to complete written assignments, which are evaluated and charted weekly. The full-time staff maintain a permanent caseload. Daily household and maintenance chores are also assigned to each client on a weekly basis.

Hope for Freedom offers a 90 day / 9 month phased reintegration program for men and women recovering from chemical dependencies. We endeavour to address positive changes through peer support.  This includes discovering physical, spiritual, and emotional balance. We develop an understanding of addiction and the negative consequences associated with our addictive behaviours.  We learn to recognize these patterns learning also to involve new skills and to accept new responsibilities rather than avoiding or changing our historical experiences.

A lack of faith, confidence and self-esteem is often the case for most clients suffering from addictions.  Our primary objective is to assist clients in enhancing these factors through "bridge-building" integrating the resident back into communities and ultimately society itself. We provide a 10-wk. Life skills program, centering on communication skills and conflict resolution.  Also covered are aspects of maintaining healthy relationships. We encourage weekend visits with family and significant others.  The Society involves the client in social functions (with resident peers) to begin the process of understanding life from other perspectives.

Our clients learn self-healing principles through meditation and a highly structured program a full daily schedule assists them with priority planning.  We integrate daily lectures on numerous issues such as:

Grief/loss

Boundaries

Decision-making

Problem solving techniques

Our counsellors focus attention on the need to become responsible for "self" first.  With the help of God and other residents, clients master the art of making meaningful and lasting changes in their lives.

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EDUCATION:

Daily lectures and open discussions deal with the process of change, health issues (hepatitis, HIV, nutrition, etc.), boundaries, sexuality and relationships.

SPIRITUALITY:

Daily prayer and meditation is provided, and clients are encouraged to find values and spiritual awareness through discussion of spiritual principles.  Over time an understanding of faith through the centuries is developed.

MEDICAL and NUTRITION:

Our menu is created with the Canada Food Guide as a parameter. The Fraser Valley Health Authority takes care of the administration of innoculations against Hepatitus A and B as well as Tetanus and the most current strain of the flu. All clients are screened for tuberculosis. The cost for this service is included in the user fee.

TREATMENT/AFTERCARE PLANS:

Clients are assisted with the completion of an effective aftercare plan, and are provided ongoing support as they are integrated back into the community.

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SELF-HELP:

Introduction to a large variety of community-based 12 Step groups.  Comprehensive Step Guides are used for all written formats of the 12 Steps. Reading materials, combined with a facilitator, are provided and sponsorship is mandatory.

JOURNALLING:

Clients must begin to journal upon entering our program.  Journal guides and support are given to assist in learning to recognize and release emotions and to facilitate the therapeutic value of a pen and paper.

GROUP WORK:

Client goals and issues provide the direction of the group.  Structure and format are a constant.  The facilitator must be flexible due to an ongoing intake of clients.

PEER GROUPS (Buddy System):

Upon intake, clients are "buddied up" with seniors who will provide support through the challenges first two weeks of our program.  Peer groups meet weekly to create team goals, participate in team activities, and learn to build and maintain recovery-oriented relationships by sharing feelings, thoughts and dreams.

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LIFESKILLS:

Communication skills, anger management, listening skills and assertiveness are all included in a 10-week certificate program.  Our certified Lifeskills Coach leads the Lifeskills program.  Graduation is literally a celebration; including family, friends, as well as members of the community such as Probation/Parole Officers, Pastors, and Financial aid workers from the Ministry of Social Development and Economic Security.

CAREER RECOVERY:

This will serve as a follow-up to compliment our Lifeskills program.  Here we teach job-hunting skills, scholastic planning, and resume writing. The clients learn to access community support, explore training allowances, grants, scholarships and education options.

RECREATION:

Special arrangements have been made with Hyde Creek Rec. Centre for the use of their facilities.  Clients are encouraged to make exercise and recreational activities a part of their own personalized treatment plan.

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THE TYPICAL DAILY ROUTINE:

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House and yard clean-up, and maintenance, is conducted on Fridays.

We ask for a 90 day commitment to our program, however, this is open-ended and based on individual need.

At present, we operate six men´s houses. Resurrection House, our men´s facility, is situated in Port Coquitlam, with a capacity of 65 beds. The Hope for Freedom Society operates a women´s facility as well, Glory House, in Port Coquitlam, with a total of 20 beds. Glory House is staffed completely by women.

The Society is also working towards a move to a more rural setting. A ranch-type facility that would provide an environment void of the temptations and stresses of urban living and much more conducive to natural recovery.

As previously stated, the Hope for Freedom Society earnestly believes that complete recovery is possible for any addict who is willing. Resurrection House and Glory House both provide a physically and emotionally safe environment filled with acceptance and care. Our houses nurture the hope and desire for freedom from addiction, which lie within every addict. We work towards this goal together with the support of the community, and by the grace of God.