Welcome to Portage Keremeos!
In April 2010, Portage British Columbia is celebrating its one year anniversary operating the residential drug addiction treatment centre in Keremeos. Its history, however, begins several years earlier when community organisations From Grief to Action and Central City Foundation, in collaboration with the BC Ministry of Health, appealed to Portage for assistance. At the time, there was a lack of long-term residential treatment options in the province for youth suffering from drug addiction and many young people from BC traveled across the country to attend Portage programs in Québec, Ontario, and New Brunswick. Read more...
A message from the Chair of Portage BC
 It was on a trip to Montréal in June 2007 that I ran into Peter Howlett, President of Portage and an old friend from my McGill days. I was taken by his devotion to helping substance abusers free themselves from addiction and by his vision for how Portage could help the youth of British Columbia.
As a Board Member of the Vancouver Foundation, I am responsible for the “youth homelessness” portfolio. What a better way to combat youth homelessness than to establish a long-term residential treatment centre for young people with substance abuse problems?
The Portage BC project was developed in conjunction with From Grief to Action, led by Robert and Susan Ruttan, and with Central City Foundation. We are now well into the first year of active programming at the site known as “The Crossing” in Keremeos, BC. Clients are referred to Portage from the Lower Mainland, the Interior, and other regions of BC and we are developing relationships to facilitate referral so that we can help as many young people as possible to take back control of their lives.
We have formed a Portage British Columbia Board of dedicated community members and we are ready take Portage to the next level in BC. I am confident that with the enthusiasm and support of our staff, our Board Members, and our valued partners, it is a task that we will achieve.
- John McLernon, Portage BC Chair
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MEET THE BC BOARD
The Portage British Columbia Board meets a minimum of four times a year to discuss governance, strategic planning, and developments for Portage’s newest centre in British Columbia.
Board Members
John Carsley
Allan Furlong
Richard Hooper, Vice-Chair
Heather Hooper
Peter Howlett, President of Portage
John L. Leathley, Vice-Chair
Lulu Leathley
John MacFarlane
Marian MacFarlane
John McLernon, Chair
Peggy McLernon
Bob Ransford
Robert Ruttan
Susie Ruttan
Peter Webster
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NEWSBITES
Ski Day
On February 17th, residents and staff enjoyed a ski day at Apex Ski Mountain. A few Portage Keremeos staff members who have season’s passes at the mountain organised a group deal for lessons and rentals. In addition to skiing and snowboarding, residents also went skating and tubing.
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"I came to Portage insecure, with a tough angry front. I had to pretend to be someone I was not in order to survive in a cruel world. Portage has saved my life! For the first time in my life I truly love myself and know who I really am. My experience at Portage hasn’t been easy, but it has definitely been worth it. It’s not that I never want to use again; I now value sobriety too much to ever use again." - Priscilla, age 18
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Tremendous generosity from in-kind donors
 Getting the newest Portage centre fully stocked with supplies and equipment has been a considerable and ongoing task, yet Portage British Columbia has been very fortunate, receiving numerous in-kind donations from individuals as well as local business and community organisations. Read more...
Building relationships in British Columbia
In collaboration with local Portage staff members and Portage British Columbia Chair, John McLernon, representatives from Portage’s Head Office in Montréal have been meeting and developing relationships with provincial health authorities, local law enforcement agencies, and other partners in BC. Portage has met with the Superintendent of the Vancouver Police, representatives from Coast Mental Health, and representatives of other community organisations. Affiliations have also been established with the BC branches of NATIONAL Public Relations Firm and with Blakes Law Firm, which provide pro bono services to Portage BC.
Portage Keremeos staff members have also been busy developing relationships and raising awareness about Portage in the community. Read more...
First Recognition Ceremony at Keremeos
On May 2nd, Portage BC will hold its first Recognition Ceremony to celebrate the hard work, courage, and determination of graduating residents from the Keremeos centre. It will also mark the accomplishments of BC residents who have previously completed their Portage programs outside the province and have reached their one year positive lifestyle anniversary. Among family, friends, staff, Board members, and other invited guests, the Portage Keremeos community will pay tribute to these young people and to all those who have played a part in making this first year of operations at Portage Keremeos a success. More details will follow about this special event.
Portage across Canada
Metamorphosis Day
 February 14th is the anniversary of the opening of the first Portage centre in Prévost, Québec. The Metamorphosis Day event was celebrated across the country this year. Read more...
About Portage
Portage is a non-profit organisation dedicated to helping people who are suffering from substance abuse-related problems to overcome their dependencies and to live healthy, happy and productive lives. Portage is a vital and progressive force in the drug addiction treatment field in North America, with service centres in Québec, New Brunswick, Ontario, and British Columbia. Through drug addiction treatment best practices and the therapeutic community approach, Portage helps residents develop their self-esteem, confidence, and the competencies necessary to overcome addiction.
Portage has been operating drug rehabilitation centres in Canada for over 35 years. Portage British Columbia was established in 2009.
Read more about Portage’s mission, vision, and values.
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New Socio-Cultural Recreational Coordinator
Steve Cleminson, a Keremeos local and Case Worker at Portage, has recently taken on the new position of Socio-Cultural Recreational Coordinator. With the Sport Chek equipment donations on the way, Steve will be preparing the grounds, setting up fields and nets, and coordinating athletic programming for the residents. He is also developing a series of social and cultural outings and activities.
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