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By Josh Hall | @Vancan19

road to recovery walk coming soon

Red Deer Dream Centre secures provincial operating dollars

Aug 23, 2024 | 10:50 AM

For the first time, the Government of Alberta is giving operating dollars to the Red Deer Dream Centre.

The funding is worth $600,000 over two fiscal years, and will pay for operation of 20 addiction recovery beds.

The Red Deer Dream Centre first welcomed clients into its program in late 2022 after several years of trying to make the facility come to fruition.

It’s situated downtown in a renovated former night club building.

“Partnerships with treatment providers are an essential part of building the Alberta Recovery Model. We are offering a continuum of care focused on prevention, intervention, treatment, and recovery,” says Hunter Baril, press secretary, Ministry of Mental Health and Addiction.

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“Our government’s focus on increasing publicly funded treatment spaces has made recovery an option for families who may not otherwise be able to afford it. Someone’s financial situation should never be a barrier to recovery.”

Baril adds the ministry is grateful to the Dream Centre for their dedication to bringing people out of addiction, helping them reconnect with their family, and helping them become productive members of their community.

Wes Giesbrecht, Dream Centre board president, says the government’s support speaks to their success so far.

“This is a six-year idea that’s come to fruition and they recognize the people of Red Deer are committed to recovery. The Dream Centre is an example of many hands and many thoughts working hard, and we’re a first of a kind place that started without this kind of government money, only relying on philanthropic giving and grants,” says Giesbrecht.

“They recognize we are different, in that we’re faith-based. I’ve said it so many times: there are physical, mental and spiritual components to addiction, and we address all three.”

The program recently graduated four people, and has seen around 17 people complete it in 2024.

The goal is to have one person enter the program and one person leave by graduating every week, Giesbrecht adds.

The Dream Centre is hosting its second annual Road to Recovery walk this September 21 at CrossRoads Church. They hope to surpass the $82,000 raised in 2023.

More details about the walk will be shared soon via social media.

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