A NEW RESIDENCE FOR WOMEN ATTENDING DRUG TREATMENT COURT IN REGINA

by jmifsud
Categories: Newswire
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    Regina, SK – The Salvation Army has officially opened the doors to a new supportive residence for women attending the Regina Drug Treatment Court.

    In March of 2012, The Salvation Army received over $500,000 in Homelessness Partnering Strategy Funding (Federal Program) and has also partnered with the Saskatchewan Housing Corporation (SHC), to launch a new supportive residence called “Kate’s Place”. The two-year test program will give women a place to go when completing court-mandated drug treatment.

    The intent is to provide 24 hour supervision, safe and stable housing, general counselling, support and assistance for women.

    “It is the desire of this program to assist and support each woman as they re-enter the community to become pro-social and independently housed members of the community,” says Salvation Army Kate’s Place Executive Director Captain Ben Lippers. “It is our goal, by providing stable and supportive housing, to be able to increase the Regina Drug Treatment Court’s ability to accept women into the DTC Program and to increase each woman’s success, participation and graduation from the program.”

    The residence offers 11 bachelor suites and residents must adhere to curfew, get drug tested weekly and attend daily counseling set out by the provincial court. They are also offered night activities like life-skills knowledge and cooking offered through an appropriate programming component, tending to the spiritual, physical, and emotional needs of the clients.

    “For many women, this is housing at a level they haven’t had in years, they have been living on the street,” said Associate Chief Judge Clifford Toth. “When we started the Regina Drug Treatment Court, what we found is that many of the women simply failed and they failed because they were addicts and they didn’t have any kind of stable residence — but now that changes.”

    Susan recently moved into the facility with her six month old son Cole.

    “Without a place like this I probably would have lost my son because I would have stayed in jail and wouldn’t have been able to keep him with me. I am grateful that there was a place like this to come to,” says Susan. “It has made a world of difference because it has helped me get clean and be with my son. It has also allowed me to be a better mother and go further as I try to get my life back on track.”

    Kate’s Place, which has been operational since May and is almost at full capacity, is an extension of The Salvation Army Waterston Centre Men’s Shelter.