One year after the opening of BC’s first long-term residential drug addiction treatment centre, Port
02-mai-2010Keremeos, Sunday May 2nd, 2010 - It was a great day of celebration today at
Portage Keremeos at “The Crossing”, a residential drug rehabilitation centre for youth in the interior of British Columbia. In the presence of family, staff, government representatives, members of the community and their peers, young residents were recognised for completing the residential phase of their drug addiction treatment and others were honoured for having maintained a positive lifestyle for one year.
“It has taken many years and the support of many community organisations to establish a Portage residential rehabilitation centre in British Columbia,” said Peter Howlett, President of Portage. “I am extremely happy and proud to be celebrating our first anniversary here today, but even more so to be honouring these young people who have taken back control of their lives and now have bright, drug-free futures ahead of them.”
The Recognition Ceremony also celebrated the Portage Keremeos graduates that completed their high school education while at Portage Academy, the on-site educational program. Many of the young people who come to Portage seeking drug addiction therapy have lost faith in their academic abilities and some have left school altogether. At the Portage Academy, residents learn to develop new faith in their capabilities. Dedicated teachers, small classes and progressive techniques facilitate their academic experience. Where in the past these youth may have experienced failure and frustration, the Portage Academy encourages them to continue with their efforts in school. Teachers help students with special needs to earn high school credits and to develop the necessary learning skills to succeed once they have left the Portage Program.
“Portage Keremeos’ partnership with the Okanagan-Similkameen School District 53 has enabled us to provide residents with daily classes in math, science, English, social studies and physical education,” stated Peter Vamos, Executive Director at Portage. “Through their efforts at the Portage Academy, two of today’s graduates also received their British Columbia Dogwood Graduation Certificates. The program has been very successful so far and we hope to make it even more effective by increasing the teacher to resident ratio in the years to come”.
During the event, the Portage Keremeos’ Employee of the Year Award was also presented. The centre’s first employee to receive this honour was Nicholas Peddle, a case worker who had previously completed his own drug addiction rehabilitation program at Portage Atlantic in 2002. Nicholas has been working at Portage Keremeos since the facility first opened. His personal success is an inspiration to the residents.
Portage Keremeos could never have opened at “The Crossing” if it were not for Vancouver-based Central City Foundation, which led a $6.5 million fundraising campaign to purchase the magnificent 58-acre site and build the centre’s facilities. The presence of many of Central City Foundation’s directors at the Recognition Ceremony is a testament to its support and to the value of its partnership with Portage. To honour this relationship, Portage has established the Portage BC Adolescents Program Bursary honouring the Central City Foundation. This bursary will be presented every year at the Recognition Ceremony to support graduates in the pursuit of their studies. The first bursary was presented by John McLernon, Chair of the
Portage BC Board, to Robert Boretta-McLeod and Sierra Dabous in recognition of their maturity, drive, perseverance and tenacity, and because they value education as a key to future success and continued sobriety.
A few of the graduates spoke at the Ceremony, presenting touching testimonials about their time at Portage Keremeos and the impact that the experience has had on their lives. One proud mother witnessed the graduation of two of her daughters from the Portage Keremeos program at the ceremony today.
“Portage has been a gift for my family,” she said. “My girls were drawn into the world of addiction and unhealthy choices. When they began to realise they needed help, we found Portage. The centre gave them the time, space and the education to find themselves and to let go of the unhealthy patterns in their lives. I am filled with gratitude for this place and its caring staff. My girls now have the tools to create the lives they want and deserve”.
Portage Keremeos at “The Crossing” is one of ten residential drug rehabilitation centres operated by Portage, a non-profit organisation dedicated to the rehabilitation of substance abusers so that they can reintegrate into mainstream society. Portage has been offering drug addiction rehabilitation services across Canada since 1970. The centre in Keremeos, BC opened in April 2009 with funding and leadership provided by Vancouver Coastal Health and Fraser Health Authorities. It offers long-term residential drug treatment to young people between 14 and 18 years of age in a gender-specific therapeutic community setting. Employing best practices, Portage helps residents develop self-esteem, confidence and the competencies they need face their addictions and move on with their lives.
PHOTO: From left to right: The Honourable Steve Thomson, MLA for Kelowna-Mission and Minister of Agriculture and Lands; Peter Howlett, President of Portage; Peter Vamos, Executive Director of Portage; and Darci, Portage Keremeos' first graduate.
