Following 37 years of ‘bursting at the seams’ in its current location in West Windsor near Hotel Dieu Grace Healthcare, the House of Sophrosyne will be relocating to the former St. Alexander Elementary School at 5305 Adstoll in East Windsor.
The planned expansion for the House of Sophrosyne will shorten wait times, increase bedded services and increase capacity for day and evening programs, additional counseling, family rooms to accommodate mothers and their children, and childcare.
“Our Board of Directors has been working closely with our funders throughout the decision making process and planning phases to ensure success of our Building for Recovery capital project. Each Director has also donated to the capital campaign, thereby financially demonstrating a personal commitment to a positive outcome,” says Pam Skillings, board member and chair of the capital campaign.
The expanded facility will open the door for enhanced services for women who come to the House of Sophrosyne from all walks of life, and increase the number of beds for women, including addicted pregnant women, from 17 to 30. In addition to the current 35-day addiction/trauma curriculum, the organization will add day/evening and weekend counselling support for those who do not require residential services.
“The expansion will help us to change even more lives – the lives of our women and their families and children,” says Karen Waddell, Executive Director. “We will improve access to services for those women who are desperate for help now, when they need it most. Currently, women are waiting as long as four months to get into our program. Lack of space has been frustrating for clients and staff. We have to do better and we will.”
One barrier reported as having been heard over and over again from clients is how difficult it is to come into a residential program and leave young ones with a care provider. “We have designed a building so moms can come in with their children who are 0-6 years. While the mom is in a therapeutic group, specialized programs will be in place for her children. Together, they will receive the treatment they need to change the cycle of addiction,” adds Waddell.
The House of Sophrosyne, operating in Windsor since 1978, is a provincial leader in providing patient-centered care to women fighting addiction. Announcements today included news that the strategic direction to expand had been a goal for several years, and is finally within reach. The planned state-of-the-art facility will provide expanded programs to women throughout the province who need these specialized services.
The LHIN today has continued to support our growth and expansion needs. The broader services for family members, children including expanded flexible hours is one of the primary goals identified in the Erie St. Clair LHIN Addiction Strategic Plan.
Additionally, Lisa Tayfour was introduced as Chair of the Women’s Committee for the House of Sophrosyne, and thanked for her advocacy and fundraising efforts.
“Lisa has helped us raise just over $580,000 to date for our Building for Recovery capital campaign. To recognize Lisa for her leadership and ongoing (and personal) commitment to this project, our Board has approved a facility naming opportunity for Lisa, the details of which are still to be confirmed,” says Waddell.
With the help of the community, the House of Sophrosyne will develop a leading edge facility that will raise the bar for women requiring addiction treatment. The facility will improve access to services for women who are desperate for help now, when they need it most.
Women on the House of Sophrosyne waitlist are mothers, sisters, wives and daughters. According to the Health Officers Council of British Columbia, ‘47,000 Canadian deaths are linked to substance abuse annually.’ Substance abuse is touching the lives of many across the country, and in our own backyards. It is a silent disease and most often misunderstood.
“I have witnessed firsthand how addiction can tear a family apart. I have also witnessed how recovery can bring them back together,” says Lisa Tayfour, chair of the Women’s Committee for the House of Sophrosyne. “It is for this reason that I am committed to this campaign because empowering women with HOPE•HELP•HEALING is essential so they can move forward to raise the next generation, which benefits us all.”
The work of all those involved with the Building for Recovery capital campaign will continue until $3.5M has been committed. Charitable donations to the capital campaign from the community-at-large will help to provide the sustainability the House of Sophrosyne requires to continue to provide important care women their families need and deserve. For more information or to help, visit online.
Feature Photo: House of Sophrosyne launched its $3.5M Building for Recovery Capital Campaign on May 16, 2016, thanking donors who have contributed to date. Photo includes some of the supporters recognized (left to right): Michael Solcz Sr, Len Solcz, Scott Jenkins and Candice Kondratowicz representing Caesars Windsor, Marianne Muzzatti, Lisa Tayfour, Helena Toth, Sue Quinn and Tina Petretta, with Karen Waddell, Executive Director, House of Sophrosyne. Photo by Emilio J. Carro (MANAN Media).
