By Pam Wright
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Chatham-Kent officials are set to look into the possibility of donating two north Chatham properties to the Peter and Cathy Quiring Foundation.
The non-profit, which opened the Chatham Community Hope Centre on Croyden Street June 15, has expressed interest in expanding to include a 90-day residential trauma treatment program aimed at filling a gap in local addiction recovery programming.
It is looking at 110 Sandys St. and 55 Croyden St.
Quiring Foundation project manager Spencer Dawson outlined the organization’s vision to council June 22. In the presentation, Dawson described the non-profit’s seven-year history of programming in Leamington and Windsor-Essex, noting its successful approach is “grounded” in lived experience, helping people move from crisis to recovery to long-term integration in society.
According to Dawson, the low-barrier program has seven aspects, including the Valley, the Refuge, the Ascent, the Ridge, the Crest, the Summit and the Return.
“We’re here tonight to present a proposal we believe could create long-term benefit in Chatham-Kent,” Dawson told council. “We want to operate a structured recovery to housing continuum of care for individuals in Chatham-Kent who are struggling with addiction and homelessness.”
Currently, the QF operates 119 beds in Windsor-Essex, delivering both a 90-day residential trauma recovery program and supportive housing. The 90-day program has a 78-per-cent success rate of completion, according to Quiring Foundation figures.
Of the folks who go on to live in the foundation’s structured supportive housing beds, 92 per cent remain clean and sober after one year.
The Leamington Community Hope Centre also operates under the umbrella of the Foundation of Hope Recovery Community.
“Our organization was created because there’s a real need for this kind of work,” Dawson said, adding most of the foundation staff are in recovery themselves. “Addiction does not only affect the individual, it affects parents, spouses, children, work places, neighbourhoods and entire communities.
“Our faith defines how we serve, not who we serve,” Dawson said of the Christian faith-based non-profit. “Our faith calls us to serve people with humility, compassion and consistency. We believe in holistic healing, in supporting the whole individual.”
The co-ordinated Chatham model would involve three sites. The Chatham Community Hope Centre at 52 Croyden, would operate as the main hub, while 110 Sandys St. would provide temporary housing for people in recovery, providing up to 30 days for stabilization and assessment, as well as the 90-day trauma recovery program.
At 55 Croyden St., the site of the now razed St. Agnes school, a 12-to-18-month supportive housing program would be offered. No details for that aspect of the development were presented.
South Kent Coun. Ryan Doyle, who has been working to improve local addiction recovery programs, called the foundation’s plan an “early Christmas present” for Chatham-Kent.
“They hit on every single gap that we have,” Doyle said. “So having them come to Chatham to do this is phenomenal. I don’t think we could have picked a better partner or a better group to come to town to do this. This is a win-win-win.”
West Kent Coun. Lauren Anderson, who has family members in recovery, thanked the foundation for their efforts.
“This opportunity just gives an immense amount of hope, so thank you,” Anderson said.
In addition to asking the municipality to donate 110 Sandys St. and 55 Croydon St. the foundation is seeking a tax exemption for both properties.
A report to summarize the options will come back to council Aug. 10.
