The Province is providing Richmond Addiction Services Society and Turning Point Recovery Society a combined total of $465,000 to support programs and services for people with mental health and substance use issues.  

“Turning Point and Richmond Addiction Services play a big role in the community,” said Health Minister Terry Lake. “They provide safe and supportive places for some of Vancouver and Richmond’s most vulnerable people. This funding will help them expand their programs, so they can continue to help even more people on the road to recovery.”

Turning Point Recovery Society is a drop-in centre and outreach program for people with mental health and substance use issues. The Province is providing the society $300,000 to support the expansion of their drop-in centre and outreach program, and to help launch Storey’s Café, an employment skills training program.

“With funding support from the Province of British Columbia, Turning Point has been able to expand the services we provide so that we can reach more people, and ultimately save lives. We are grateful for the leadership and commitment of the Province in helping us to achieve that goal,” said Brenda Plant, executive director of Turning Point Recovery Society. “This funding supports British Columbia's most vulnerable citizens and will not only help individuals facing challenges to get well, but it will also provide for an enhanced continuum of service delivery for immediate engagement and aftercare. Turning Point is proud to be able to provide these services and thanks the Government of B.C. for their contribution.”

In May 2016 the Province provided Turning Point $500,000 to support their programs and services. This was in addition to $1 million provided in 2015 to support Turning Point’s renovation of its Vancouver site, expansion of its second-stage transitional housing units and, in collaboration with other Richmond Community Services Advisory Committee organization members, create a Collaborative Case Management program in Richmond B.C.

Richmond Addiction Services Society  is a community based non-profit service agency offering substance use counselling for youth under 25 and people older than 55. The Province is providing the society $165,000 to support a one-year pilot project for a seniors’ outreach program, a recovery school program for youth in recovery from substance use, day program for youth and an e-counselling program.

“Richmond Addiction Services is grateful to the Province for recognizing and supporting the important work we do in Richmond,” said Rick Dubras, executive director, Richmond Addiction Services Society. “We are pleased that the government values the importance that community-based non-profits play in creating the continuum of care that supports our community. The flexibility and responsiveness that community-based non-profits represent is critical to the healthy functioning of our system of care. This funding allows Richmond Addiction Services to continue to create programs and services which aim to adapt to the issues which our community face and will help ameliorate and remedy.”

Today’s announcement supports a number of priority areas that will help better meet the needs of people struggling with mental illness and substance use issues. Budget 2017, with $165 million provided in targeted mental health and substance use investments, is helping government address gaps in the system. It is providing patients and families with better information and ways to navigate the system, and integrating and co-ordinating services throughout the province. The Ministry of Health spends about $1.45 billion each year to support people in need of mental illness or substance use supports.

(flickr.com)

Learn More:

To learn more about Turning Point Recovery Society, please visit: http://www.turningpointrecovery.com/

To learn more about Richmond Addiction Services Society, please visit: http://www.richmondaddictions.ca/

A comprehensive fact sheet on services for mental health or substance use concerns: https://news.gov.bc.ca/factsheets/factsheet-comprehensive-mental-health-and-substance-use-services-in-bc