What's new at Portage?
Read about what's going on at Portage centres across Canada as part of the drug addiction rehabilitation process.
Once again this year, Portage-Québec played a hands-on role in Moisson Québec’s “Grande Collecte”, to gather food for the poor and raise awareness that poverty is an issue 365 days a year. Pictured here are Gérard and Frédérick, two enthusiastic volunteers from Portage’s external addiction rehabilitation centre (/qc/day-centre-rehabili... [>>]
Portage-Québec representatives attended the“Mérite à la formation et à l’emploi” competition on April 18, 2012 at Québec City’s Théâtre Impérial. The purpose of the event, put on by organisations involved in employment, training, immigration and social solidarity, is to recognise individuals who have turned their li... [>>]
Following an outing in Penticton, Portage Keremeos (/bc/rehabilitation-treatment-program-adolescents-british-columbia) residents were taken to a thrift store to shop for used sports equipment and hiking boots. The Portage staff member who accompanied them explained that they were on a limited budget and the importance of trying to stretch a few dollars. The residents, many of whom had never shoppe... [>>]
Addiction and mental health are becoming increasingly interrelated, as many people who suffer from addiction may also have mental health issues. Portage’s Mentally Ill Chemical Abusers (/qc/mentally-ill-chemical-abusers-quebec) (MICA) centre, situated in Montréal, has been treating the concurrent disorder of addiction and mental illness for over fifteen years, and has helped over ... [>>]
Once again this year, Portage Saint-Malachie (/qc/rehabilitation-centre-saint-malachie-quebec) is working with the Etchemin River Safeguarding Group on a project to introduce new salmon into the Etchemin River, which flows next to the rehabilitation centre.
The girls’ community are raising the young fish in a special culture tank at the centre. They will supervise the eggs’ progre... [>>]
Portage would like to thank Rocky Mountain Fitness and Mr. Brock Ainsley, for their recent donation. The gym at Portage Keremeos (/bc/rehabilitation-treatment-program-adolescents-british-columbia) now features a new elliptical trainer and treadmill, as well as a variety of other new training equipment. We are very grateful to Mr. Les Gordichuck for his commitment to the physical health of the yout... [>>]
On April 18, the Portage centre for adolescents and adults in Prévost (/qc/rehabilitation-centre-prevost-lac-echo-quebec), near lac Écho, hosted an information breakfast for local partners and organisations in the substance abuse treatment field and related industries. Guests enjoyed a continental breakfast, sponsored by the IGA Marché Piché, as they listened intently t... [>>]
Physical activity is an integral part of rehabilitation programming at Portage. Residents play a variety of team sports, train in the gym, and go on regular hikes in the beautiful surrounding areas. However, as spring approaches, Portage Keremeos (/bc/rehabilitation-treatment-program-adolescents-british-columbia) residents step it up a notch in preparation for the Portage Freedom Run, a five kilom... [>>]
On April 6 and 7, seven youth who are currently in Portage Prévost’s Aftercare Program (/social-reintegration-aftercare-services) gave two performances of their interpretation of “Willy Protagoras enfermé dans les toilettes,” an award-winning play by Lebanese-Québécois writer Wajdi Mouawad. The play tells a story of adolescent rebellion, and deals with... [>>]
Québec, le 3 mai 2012 – C’est dans le cadre du Congrès biennal du Comité québécois pour les jeunes en difficulté de comportement que le directeur de Portage Saint-Malachie (/quebec/centre-readaptation-toxicomanie-adolescents-saint-malachie), M. Serge Comeau, et Nathalie Simard, ps. éd., coordonnatrice à la formation clinique, ont ... [>>]
The twelfth annual Table du Chef, in partnership with Fairmont Le Château Frontenac, was held on April 11 in the kitchens of the Château Frontenac. The intimate group of guests, made up of businesspeople from the Québec City region, were guided through the process of preparing a delicious gourmet dinner menu, which was designed by executive chef Jean Soulard.... [>>]
Portage Beaconsfield (/qc/rehabilitation-centre-beaconsfield-quebec) is a member of Partners in Prevention, a network of organisations, coordinated by the Lester B. Pearson School Board, whose mission is to support parents in the prevention of addiction-related high-risk behaviours. For the past number of years, Partners in Prevention has held awareness evenings for grade six students and their pa... [>>]
On March 21, Portage hosted a reception at the Complexe Jules Dallaire in Québec City as part of its annual fundraising campaign (/qc/quebec-fundraising-campaign). More than a hundred businesspeople from the Québec region gathered to enjoy the menu prepared by Montego Resto Club Chef, Jonathan Jeanrie. The event, sponsored by the Cominar Real Estate Investment Trust, raised more than... [>>]
MONTRÉAL, le 26 avril 2012 - Le Mouvement pour l’Intégration et la Rétention en Emploi (MIRE) (http://www.projetmire.com/), célèbre son 10e anniversaire aujourd’hui. Pour souligner l'événement, une cérémonie a eu lieu en compagnie de Peter Howlett, président de Portage, d’André Chagnon, présid... [>>]
A representative from the South Okanagan Rehabilitation Centre for Owls (SORCO) recently visited the Portage Keremeos (/bc/rehabilitation-treatment-program-adolescents-british-columbia) centre with an injured Great Horned Owl. He explained the analogies between the birds’ rehabilitation and the Portage residents’ recovery, stating that the birds that reject treatment at SORCO often... [>>]
Portage is currently in the process of establishing a new ECO-Portage team, whose mission will be to come up with strategies to help Portage’s rehabilitation centres become more environmentally-friendly. From recycling to waste reduction and water conservation, this committee - composed of staff members and members of the Residents’ Committee - will help Portage establish an organisati... [>>]
On March 16, Portage Keremeos (/bc/rehabilitation-treatment-program-adolescents-british-columbia) residents hung on the every word of a 25 year-old Afghanistan veteran, who spoke to them about the work that he and his team did to build schools and clinics while on their tour of duty in Afghanistan. He told them about what it is like to have a career in the military and then gave the whole group a ... [>>]
Two personal development courses were provided to Portage Keremeos (/bc/rehabilitation-treatment-program-adolescents-british-columbia) residents during their two-week Spring Break from Portage Academy in March. The first, a Junior Achievement Program, taught residents about budgeting, finances, and career planning. The second gave them an introductory course on fire safety in the forest.
The ... [>>]
(Elora, April 23, 2012) – Portage Ontario (/ontario/index.html) hosted a Recognition Celebration and Family Day on Sunday, April 22, 2012, at 1:00 p.m. at the residential rehabilitation centre in Elora, Ontario. It was a day filled with emotions as the graduates, along with their families, peers, and caseworkers came together to celebrate Freedom from Addiction.
Thirty young p... [>>]
It’s that time of year again! Tickets and tables are now on sale for Portage Ontario’s sixth Annual Fresh Start Dinner and Auction, which will take place on Tuesday, May 29 at the beautiful Toronto Botanical Garden, located at 777 Lawrence Avenue East. The reception will begin at 6:30 pm and dinner will be served at 7:30 pm. Proceeds will go to the Portage Ontario Youth Treatment Fund ... [>>]
This year’s Stride for Success charity relay, taking place on Sunday, July 15th at the Lily Lake Pavilion in Saint John, is the final of three relay events to raise the necessary funds for the Recovery Trail Project (/atlantic/portage-atlantic-recovery-trail) at the Portage drug rehabilitation centre at Cassidy Lake (/atlantic/rehabilitation-program-adolescents).
Portage Atlantic and t... [>>]
Like the rest of their peers, the youth at Portage Elora (/ontario/rehabilitation-program-adolescents) enjoyed a Spring Break week off from school at Portage Academy. The week was full of structured activities, including a hiking trip to see the beautiful Webster’s Falls in Dundas, another to Crawford Lake and the old native village, and an afternoon of outdoor activities complete with a coo... [>>]
Like the rest of their peers, the youth at Cassidy Lake (/atlantic/rehabilitation-program-adolescents) enjoyed a Spring Break week off from school at Portage Academy (/academy-school-programming), during which they enjoyed structured activities and workshops. The girls’ community celebrated International Women’s Day with a meditation session and a spa experience, as well as a discussio... [>>]
On March 29, 2012, the girls’ community attended a “Skills Work! for Women” networking dinner in Sussex. These events, put on by the Government of New Brunswick, are designed to introduce young women in high school, who are interested in the skilled trades and technologies, to female mentors who are currently working or studying in a related career field. The Portage residents en... [>>]
Outward Bound programming at Portage Elora (/ontario/rehabilitation-program-adolescents) uses the metaphors that are found in nature to reinforce what the youth are learning throughout their drug rehabilitation therapy at Portage. From several-day dog-sledding trips in Algonquin Park to activities and challenges at the centre and in the surrounding areas, residents are putting into practice their ... [>>]
Portage would like to thank the Cornerstone 52 Foundation for hosting a very successful Classic Albums Live Beatles Concert, which took place on January 27 at Roy Thompson Hall in Toronto. Over a hundred Portage supporters came out to enjoy the music and a private reception following the concert. The Cornerstone 52 Foundation donated $55,000 of the event’s proceeds to Portage Ontario, to sup... [>>]
On March 20, 2012, Fundy Royal MP Rob Moore visited Cassidy Lake (/atlantic/rehabilitation-program-adolescents) to announce new funding for a Portage Atlantic graduate to participate in the Senior Mentor Program. The Senior Mentor Program is a social reintegration initiative in which Portage graduates obtain valuable work experience that helps them to transition back into the workforce or back to ... [>>]
Portage Prévost (/qc/rehabilitation-centre-prevost-lac-echo-quebec) residents and staff members enjoyed a winter festival during Spring Break, during which they were joined by community members from other Portage centres in the Montréal region for a day of outdoor activities. Sleigh rides, snowshoeing, ice fishing, a talent show, a bonfire and sing-along, a treasure hunt, and an ice ... [>>]
Throughout the month of February, Portage Beaconsfield (/qc/rehabilitation-centre-beaconsfield-quebec) residents and staff members participated in several activities to mark Black History Month.
Two guest speakers, George Farkas and Irene Anthony, who are representatives for Black History Month education in Québec, came to the centre for a presentation and discussion with the res... [>>]
Portage is pleased to announce the appointment of two new members to the Portage Ontario regional board, Colin Shevlen and Neil King, and a new member of the Portage Board of Governors, Len Crispino.
Colin Shevlen began his varied and successful business career as Assistant Manager with the Robert Simpson Company. Moving on to Confederation Life, he achieved the million dollar round table lev... [>>]
On March 7, the Portage Foundation hosted a benefit reception entitled Réseautage et Philanthropie at the Fabergé restaurant in Montréal’s Mile End. Young professionals came to learn more about Portage and to speak with established businesspeople who are involved with the organisation. Many thanks go out to the sponsors and participants who made this event possible.... [>>]
On February 9, participants and staff members of Portage-Québec’s substance abuse rehabilitation (/qc/day-centre-rehabilitation-program-adults-quebec-city) and employment reintegration (/qc/employment-reintegration-quebec) programs went on a snowshoeing trek on the trails of Lac Beauport. The two key words of the day were “perseverance” and “fun”. The sun and m... [>>]
One of keys to maintaining sobriety throughout the social reintegration phase and beyond is to establish a plan while in residential therapy to go back to school or to work. Socio-cultural and recreational programming at Portage Keremeos (/bc/rehabilitation-treatment-program-adolescents-british-columbia) ensures that residents make the most of their time in therapy to think about what kind of work... [>>]
February is Anti-Bullying Month, but bullying is a problem that affects countless people year-round. Many Portage residents seeking rehabilitation treatment have either been a victim of bullying or have been a bully themselves, events that have, in some instances, ignited or fuelled their drug addiction problems. For this reason, Portage centres provide programming that deals with the issue of... [>>]
On February 27, 2012, PEI’s Minister of Health, Doug Currie, spent the morning at the Portage Atlantic drug rehabilitation centre (/atlantic/rehabilitation-program-adolescents) for youth at Cassidy Lake, accompanied by his communications representative, Beth Johnston. They arrived in time to sit in on the boys’ community morning meeting, during which the youth talked about their ch... [>>]
Tickets and tables are now on sale for the sixth annual Portage Ontario Fresh Start Dinner and Auction. Join us at the beautiful Toronto Botanical Garden, located at 777 Lawrence Ave East on Tuesday, May 29, 2012 to learn more about Portage’s mission and to help raise funds for the Portage Ontario Youth Treatment Fund, which provides access to the Portage Elora substance abuse treatment ... [>>]
The winter months went by quickly at the Mother and Child centre (/qc/mother-child-drug-addiction-treatment-quebec), thanks to a pretty full schedule of exciting outings for the residents. In addition to regular outings to the pool and to do sporting activities, the residents had the chance to visit Mont Royal, a ceramics studio, and the Mission of the Great Sheperd, this February.
... [>>]
February 14, 2012 marked the 39th anniversary since the first Portage centre in Prévost (/qc/rehabilitation-centre-prevost-lac-echo-quebec)opened its doors to its first group of drug addicts who were looking to get back in control of their lives. Every year on Metamorphosis Day, Portage centres across the country celebrate the tens of thousands of lives that Portage has touched.
... [>>]
For 24 hours, from February 8 to 9, 2012, the graduating class at the Université du Québec à Rimouski’s (UQAR) Lévis campus participated in their annual Vélothon 24h, to raise money for several charitable community organisations in the region.
The Portage addiction rehabilitation centre for youth in Saint-Malachie (/qc/rehabilitation-centre-saint-malac... [>>]
The Portage family is quite unique, and many people who work at its rehabilitation centres (/staff-rehabilitation-therapy) stay with Portage for many years. As a result of this, when leadership roles open up, candidates are often chosen from within the Portage family.
A recent training session identified a handful of staff members who show great initiative to be trained to potential... [>>]
The January leisure activity programming at Portage’s Mother and Child centre (/qc/mother-child-drug-addiction-treatment-quebec) gave the residents the opportunity to make the most of winter in Montréal with their children. Participants had a great time on outings to museums, festivals, sports activities, and many other organised activities.
The TELUS Fire on Ice musica... [>>]
Les Journées de la persévérance scolaire, which is taking place in Québec from February 13 to 19, 2012, celebrates youth perseverance in school and raises awareness about student retention. Throughout the week, as it does all year long, Portage is celebrating the success of its residents at Portage Academy (/academy-school-programming), the on-site school programmin... [>>]
Cassidy Lake, NB, February 14, 2012 – It was on February 14, 1973, that the very first Portage substance abuse rehabilitation centre opened its doors in Montréal. Thirty-nine years later Portage, which is accredited by Accreditation Canada, has treatment centers in New Brunswick, Québec, Ontario, and British Columbia, providing drug abuse treatment to some of the most vulnerabl... [>>]
Montréal, February 14, 2012 – It was on February 14, 1973, that the very first Portage substance abuse rehabilitation centre opened its doors to ten substance abusers, on a thirty-five acre property in the Laurentian Mountains, located 45 minutes from Montréal. Today, thirty-nine years later, the lac Écho campus in Prévost (/qc/rehabilitation-centre-prevost-lac-ec... [>>]
A professor at the University of Guelph invited Portage Elora residents and staff members to participate in a series of community sessions on the Four Pillars Drug Strategy with her Corrections and Penology class this past fall. In partnership with the Wellington Guelph Drug Strategy Committee, these weekly sessions brought together many different community stakeholders - from Police Services,... [>>]
On February 29, 2012, the Réseau des femmes d’affaires du Québec (http://www.rfaq.ca/) will welcome its members and partners to an evening in Ogilvy’s Tudor Room, to raise money for the young mothers and pregnant women who are working to turn their lives around at Portage’s Mother and Child drug addiction rehabilitation centre (/qc/mother-child-drug-addiction-tr... [>>]
This past December, the children at Portage’s Mother and Child centre (/qc/mother-child-drug-addiction-treatment-quebec) learned the importance of giving to the less fortunate. Through a foundation that sponsors children from underprivileged regions of Montréal, the Mother and Child centre selected a three year old named William, for whom they and the children would help make Christma... [>>]
Portage’s program for Mentally Ill Chemical Abusers (/qc/mentally-ill-chemical-abusers-quebec) (MICA), a residential drug rehabilitation program for adults suffering from both mental illness and substance abuse, will be one of the beneficiaries of Bell’s annual Let’s Talk Day on February 8, 2012. The Let’s Talk campaign invites all Canadians to talk about mental illness in ... [>>]
The teachers at Portage Academy arranged for a FOODSAFE training course to be given to all Portage Keremeos (/bc/rehabilitation-treatment-program-adolescents-british-columbia) residents this past fall. British Columbia FOODSAFE certification, a comprehensive food safety training program, is required for all those who work in the food service industry in BC, and is recognised across Canada. Now equ... [>>]
La Capitale Financial Group donates $100,000 to Portage’s “Reconstruire des vies” campaign
From left to right: René Rouleau, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of La Capitale Financial Group, Michel Dallaire, President and Chief Executive Officer of Le Fonds de placement immobilier Cominar and Co-Chair of Portage’s “Reconstruire des v... [>>]
Portage and Outward Bound will take their partnership to new heights this year – teaming up to bring you the first ever “Hit the Bricks” event on Sunday, September 30, 2012 at the Brick Works in Toronto. “Hit the Bricks” will be a family-oriented adventure festival offering plenty of opportunities for personal challenge and fun adventures. Proceeds from the event will... [>>]
Physical activity benefits both body and mind and is an important part of the treatment program at Cassidy Lake (/atlantic/rehabilitation-program-adolescents). The extracurricular activities offered at the centre help residents get some exercise, develop new interests, and put into practice the competencies that they are learning at Portage.
Most of the girls’ community, as well as... [>>]
Portage BC’s Director of Corporate Development appointed to Vancouver’s Downtown Community Court Advisory Council
Jae Kim, Director of Corporate Development of Portage BC, has been appointed by the judges of Vancouver’s Downtown Community Court (DCC) to serve on its Advisory Council.
Vancouver’s Downtown Community Court is a first of its kind in Canada, using a p... [>>]
Portage is pleased to announce that it has received new funding from the Chaudière-Appalaches and Montréal Agences de santé et services sociaux, through the Canada-Québec agreement on the Drug Treatment Funding Program (DTFP), for its different centres in Québec.
With this funding, Portage intends to further develop its social reintegration services for... [>>]
Many residents seeking rehabilitation treatment have either been a victim of bullying or have been a bully themselves, events that have, in some instances, ignited or fuelled their drug addiction problems. Portage centres for youth provide programming that deals with the issue of bullying, a significant hurdle for some residents to overcome on their journey towards sobriety.
As they discussed... [>>]
To highlight National Non-Smoking Week, which is taking place from January 15-21, 2011, the Portage Keremeos substance abuse rehabilitation centre for youth (/bc/rehabilitation-treatment-program-adolescents-british-columbia)is focusing on its Tobacco Reduction Strategy, put in place in September 2010, by Gail Bastow of BC Quit Now.
The goal of the Tobacco Reduction Strategy is to de... [>>]
Portage Keremeos (/bc/rehabilitation-treatment-program-adolescents-british-columbia) residents attended a Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) presentation at Keremeos High School in November, where they watched a graphic movie of testimonials by people whose lives have been affected by drunk driving. Most of the Portage youth present have been affected by drunk driving in one way or another durin... [>>]
The Similkameen Garden Club visited Portage Keremeos (/bc/rehabilitation-treatment-program-adolescents-british-columbia) this fall to help residents harvest the garden that they had planted together in the spring. Using the tomatoes, peppers, and onions they harvested, the Garden Club taught the residents how to make salsa. They also set up a canning station and taught them how to can and preserve... [>>]
For the second consecutive year, Portage Keremeos’ Tobacco Reduction Coordinator, Gail Bastow, has launched the Learn to Run Program for residents and staff members alike, in preparation for the five kilometer Portage Freedom Run that will take place at the Keremeos rehabilitation centre (/bc/rehabilitation-treatment-program-adolescents-british-columbia) this spring.
Ms. Basto... [>>]
The group of children aged three to five years at the Mother and Child centre (/qc/mother-child-drug-addiction-treatment-quebec)went on several exciting excursions in 2011, including a camping trip to Oka, a day at the Musée pour Enfants in Laval, and a trip by train to Québec City.
On their camping trip, the children made the most of the nice summer weather, playing in... [>>]
In 2011, Portage Ontario (/ontario/index.html) received a generous grant from AstraZeneca in support of the Continuing Care and Family Programs for Portage Elora residents. Thanks to this support, Portage has been able to provide more comprehensive assistance to youth following their treatment at the residential rehabilitation centre in Elora (/ontario/rehabilitation-program-adolescents). Over thi... [>>]
The Portage Foundation’s annual fundraising campaign got a boost from Portage staff members in Québec, who donated a total of $7,100 to go towards the centres (/qc/portage-quebec) in the province. The Foundation is very grateful to the staff members who contributed so generously to help make a difference in the lives of all those people who are seeking to overcome their substance abus... [>>]
The Montréal region fundraising campaign (/qc/montreal-fundraising-campaign-2010-2011), which began on June 1, 2011, is in full swing. Thanks to the efforts of our campaign members and the generosity of donors, Portage is confident we will reach our goal of $1,850,000. We encourage everyone who has not yet contributed to join in the campaign; every donation counts, no matter how big or how ... [>>]
During the month of October, Portage Keremeos (/bc/rehabilitation-treatment-program-adolescents-british-columbia) residents had the chance to visit the historic Hedley Mascot Mine, a gold mine dating back to the 1920’s, which is perched on the side of a mountain. They enjoyed an informative tour of the facility during which they were able to explore the old mine shafts in the mountain an... [>>]
Residents, staff, and volunteers have said goodbye to the final remnants of Portage Atlantic (/atlantic/index.html)'s former Cassidy Lake (/atlantic/rehabilitation-program-adolescents) facility in New Brunswick. The centre’s original main building was torn down in November 2011, after being replaced by the new centre, which was officially opened in June 2010. Although the demolition is a wel... [>>]
This past fall, Portage Keremeos (/bc/rehabilitation-treatment-program-adolescents-british-columbia) received a letter of appreciation from Iron Horse Youth Safe House, a homeless shelter for youth aged thirteen to eighteen. Some youth at Iron Horse transition to Portage for drug rehabilitation treatment. Below is an excerpt of the letter:
“Fortunately, there are those people,... [>>]
This past November, Tyrone Benskin, MP for Jeanne Le Ber, visited the Portage Mother and Child centre (/qc/mother-child-drug-addiction-treatment-quebec) and the Mentally Ill Chemical Abusers (/qc/mentally-ill-chemical-abusers-quebec) (MICA) centre, which are both in his riding. By visiting the centre and speaking with the residents, Mr. Benskin got a thorough understanding of the impact that Porta... [>>]
Get out your dancing shoes and come join Portage Ontario (/ontario/index.html) and the Cornerstone 52 Foundation for a night of Beatles Classics, performed by Classic Albums Live, on January 27 at Roy Thomson Hall in Toronto. Proceeds from the event, which is organised by the Cornerstone 52 Foundation, will go to Portage Ontario, helping youth who are suffering from substance abuse to seek reh... [>>]
Over thirty-five guests were in attendance at Portage Atlantic (/atlantic/index.html)’s Community Breakfast in Annapolis Valley, Nova Scotia, held at the Coldbrook Lions Club on Tuesday, October 25, 2011. An engaged and diverse group of community members were in attendance to participate in a discussion about substance dependency among Atlantic youth and to learn more about the Portage Progr... [>>]
On November 30, 2011, Portage Atlantic (/atlantic/index.html) welcomed its volunteers to the picturesque theatre room at Cassidy Lake for a holiday brunch, in recognition of all the good work they have done for the organisation over the past year. Staff members and residents honoured the regional board members and other very special volunteers who have actively supported Portage Atlantic’s p... [>>]
