Portage Atlantic receives $1 million in federal funding

27-janv.-2010On January 26, 2010, the Honourable Keith Ashfield, Minister of National Revenue and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) announced significant new funding for the Portage Atlantic facility at Cassidy Lake in New Brunswick.

“This is a great day for the youth of Atlantic Canada who are in need of Portage services,” said Dr. Russell King, Chairman of Portage Atlantic. “This over $1-million dollar contribution by the Government of Canada through its Economic Action Plan will provide safe and secure accommodation for our youth to receive treatment for their addiction. In addition, this contribution will provide a modern, multi-purpose facility for the staff to educate youth who have made the courageous choice to turn their lives around.”

With these funds, Portage Atlantic will continue to develop its new 10,800 square foot multi-purpose centre, in which it will deliver its core programs to at-risk Atlantic Canada youth as they work to overcome their drug addiction. The new facility will house classrooms, counseling rooms, conference rooms, and training rooms.

"Addiction is a societal problem, has many facets, and requires a societal solution. This is why this announcement today offers hope and is so significant," stated Dr. King.

"Because of this major contribution of funding made today, there is an opportunity for more of our youth to live with freedom from addiction, to be better students, better spouses, better employees, and in some cases become visionary employees."

Portage Atlantic provides a bilingual, long-term residential substance abuse program for youths between the ages of 14 and 21. Since it was established in 1996, more than 1,400 youths from New Brunswick and other Atlantic provinces have been treated for drug addiction at the Cassidy Lake centre.

Funding for this project was provided through the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) under the Community Adjustment Fund (CAF).

PHOTO
From left to right: Kings East MLA Bruce Northrup; Kyle Hooton, Portage Atlantic graduate; ACOA minister Keith Ashfield, and Dr. Russell King, Chairman of the Board of Portage Atlantic.