Congratulations!

At the 2015 AGM for Umbrella Society for Addictions and Mental Health, it was also the celebration of an anniversary tonight. Fifteen years for a society that started on a wing and a prayer, and has soared to much greater heights than could have been imagined. Lest anyone think that the Umbrella Society is rolling in dough and famous the world over, please let me assure you that, while their wings may be a bit bigger, the Board of Directors and Staff are still praying!

Working at Detox, I have had the great opportunity to meet and work alongside five of the staff of eight. They share outreach (Sharlene, Chris, Evan and Angela), administration and triage (Bronwyn), family & addictions counselling (Terry) and housing support (Jason) - and let’s not forget the executive director (Gordon) who seems involved in many areas of this initiative for those challenged with addictions and all of it’s burned bridges and barriers faced in recovery.

Umbrella’s programs are simple, but definitely not easy:

Peer Outreach Program - “help is offered to everyone who seeks assistance, regardless of age, circumstance, background or any other demographic fact. The program assists the most vulnerable populations in our community, at-risk youth, and those who are street involved or homeless, as well as those from more advantaged circumstances.”

Foundation House - Supportive Recovery Program, a new addition to the services that Umbrella offers, is an eleven bed supportive recovery house for men.  “...unusual in many ways. There is no time limit; the residents can stay as long as they feel it is helpful to their recovery. The men can work, volunteer or go to school as they work their individualized recovery program”

I also have a personal reason for attending this Annual General Meeting. It is to be in the presence of the humility with which active addiction is quelled and extinguished, to see some of those that we have taken care of while they were in substance withdrawal. To see them healthy, moving forward and not forgetting their past is great satisfaction to us. They may not forget their past, but it no longer holds them in it’s grip - it is only the beginning of the rest of their story.

“I slept and I dreamed that life is all joy. I woke and I saw 

that life is all service. I served and I saw that service is joy.”

~ Kahlil Gibran

Email:  wecanhelp@umbrellasociety.ca

Webpage:  www.umbrellasociety.ca

Like us on Facebook

Follow us on Twitter