growing forward a case for support
Not why the addiction but why the pain. – Gabor Maté
Effects of the addiction are all-encompassing, as is the addiction. The consequences are classified as bio-psycho-social (Griffiths, 2005). The physical effects could be liver disease or hepatitis; examples of psychological effects are negative, cyclical thinking or self-defeating beliefs. Social effects are isolation and viewing others and themselves as objects. The motivation for use is to escape, numb or avoid so even benign actions such as food, become part of the addictive process when the latter motivation is met. The addictive process both creates and relieves stress, trapping individuals in this cycle of constrained agency. "The attempt to escape from pain, is what creates more pain." – Gabor Maté "Addiction is not about the pleasurable effects of substances, it’s about the user’s inability to connect in healthy ways with other human beings. In other words, addiction is not a substance disorder, it’s a social disorder. We need to be able to trust and to emotionally attach." – Robert Wiess, Psychology Today
Adeara Transforms Lives At Adeara, we are passionate about helping vulnerable women who are struggling with addiction and other mental health concerns. For 20 years, Adeara has worked fearlessly to provide hope, healing, and restoration. During that time, we have helped more than 600 women make lifelong changes in their personal, professional, and spiritual lives.
Adeara is an accredited, long-term residential addiction recovery centre for women and their children, staffed by a team of caring professionals. We are committed to providing holistic, in-depth programming to treat the whole person: physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. On their journey for real life change, the women at our centre are empowered and supported in a safe place. You can help us ensure that the most vulnerable women in our community—those suffering from the effects of substance abuse, behavioural addictions, and trauma—have the opportunity to recover in an environment of compassion, dignity, respect, integrity, and accountability. Rebuilding even one woman’s life can create a lasting positive impact that can be felt across our community. We’re ready to grow forward, together.
I have learned that setting boundaries is okay and healthy for relationships. I’ve learned to challenge my thinking and change from a negative to positive and to know what the reality is. – Abby
I've come to realize that I was never alone because God was with me. Having a greater understanding of addiction provides me a greater advantage of recovery. I can honestly say I have an abundance of hope in my life. – Veronica
Our Journey Our organization began in 1998 as an extension of Edmonton’s Inner City Mission and grew out of an escalating need for a long-term recovery program with women’s programming. Formerly known as the Edmonton Dream Centre, we first operated out of two houses in downtown Edmonton. In 2005, we moved out of the inner city to an apartment complex in a welcoming, residential neighborhood. This new facility has had a dramatic impact on the effectiveness of Adeara’s
programming, giving at-risk women the opportunity to recover in a safe and comfortable space, away from the triggers of an unhealthy environment. The need for addiction recovery services in our community continues to grow, and we’ve set some ambitious goals to help us build for the future. We want to reach more women and children in crisis, expand our services, and collaborate with community partners on the creation of a new, larger facility. growing forward | 4
The Growing Need If you haven’t experienced the pain and suffering of addiction, it can be difficult to understand how it affects lives—not only for the person suffering from the addiction, but also for their family, friends, and community. Unfortunately, there is a stigma attached to substance abuse, a sense that if someone suffers from addiction it is due to poor choices or a moral failure on their part. In reality, addiction is a mental health concern, and it affects millions of Canadians.
According to the Canadian Community Health Survey (2012), approximately 1.4 million people, or 4.4 per cent of Canadians, met the criteria for a substance use disorder. Adeara is proud to be one of the few addiction recovery centres in Canada that embraces both women and their children, offering compassionate, trauma-informed care to keep families together. Of the women who come into our programs, 71 per cent have children, and we currently see over 25 per cent of those children either full or part time. By providing the opportunity for children to reside with their mothers, we can ensure that healing occurs across generations, changing the trajectory of a child’s life for the better. The women who enter Adeara for addictions treatment struggle with dependence on a variety of substances.
61%
of the women we help struggle with
alcohol addiction
20% 20%
haveanan have addictiontoto addiction
prescription prescription drugs drugs
44% of the women come into programming with an addiction to methamphetamines 34% of the women have struggled with cocaine 22% of the women have struggled with opioids
Many of the women we work with also suffer from various behavioural addictions, such as eating disorders, gambling, and shopping addictions. Our reputation for success has led to a new challenge. The number of women who need to enter our program far exceeds our capacity to accommodate them—once again we have outgrown our facility. With your help, we can ensure that everyone who needs our resources is able to receive them.
growing forward | 5
Our Inspiration
Debbie’s Story Had it not been for the staff at Adeara, and all the people who come alongside of it, I wouldn’t be alive today. My addiction to alcohol caused me to lose my marriage, my dream job, my house, my vehicles, and my health. It started when I was just 11 and my mom caught an unexplainable virus that left her paralyzed overnight. That was the day my family’s life was forever changed. I had so little understanding of what was happening at that age that I tried to totally withdraw from my family. I started running away, sneaking out, not coming home for days, and drinking. I took my anger and hurt out on anyone who was close to me. My dad would spend night after night looking for me. My heart started to grow so hard that it threw me down a hole of darkness and destruction. My drinking escalated when I worked in a bar throughout my schooling, and then began working in a male-dominated industry. Drinking became my new normal. I developed phobias and severe anxiety. My husband begged me to get help, since we had a daughter who needed our care and support, but I continued to deny what was happening, especially the fact that I was becoming a full-blown alcoholic. I started blacking out and was unfaithful one night. My husband left that day and never came back. 6 | spotlight
I was diagnosed with cirrhosis of the liver and put on a transplant list. The doctors were shocked at the damage done to my body and said that without a new liver, I may die. Even my heart and pancreas were at risk. I will never forget the look of sadness and despair in my dad’s eyes when he was told I might not make it through the night. After I left the hospital, I went to a couple of secular rehab facilities with no success. In fact, I would start drinking only days later. My family threatened to cut me out of their lives, and my friends were few and far between. That’s when I realized that if I relapsed again I would lose everything in my life that I truly loved, including my little girl. And yet, I still relapsed. I can’t explain why, except that addiction is scary, complicated, and powerful. The way I lived my life impacted those around me immensely — especially my daughter. The guilt and shame can eat you alive. When I came to the Edmonton Dream Centre, now Adeara, my journey of redemption began. It’s hard to grasp that there is life after failure like mine, but that is where and when the Lord meets me faithfully to remind me of his grace and forgiveness. That is where I found a whole new meaning and a staircase to my destiny. So I am walking up that staircase, by faith and not sight, because my God makes me brave. growing forward | 6
The Path To Recovery At Adeara, we walk with women like Debbie through every step of their recovery journey. From addiction to sobriety, and transitioning back into the community, we’re there for the long term. We recognize that every person is different and comes to Adeara with a unique set of life experiences, abilities, and challenges. Addiction recovery is not an exact science, and the length of time required for recovery will depend on the individual. Our holistic program is customized for the individual and gives them the time they need to move through the recovery process.
Our long-term program includes: • Residential living within the centre for women and their children
• Art therapy
• Boundaries program
• Group and individual therapy
• Twelve-step program for addiction recovery and healthy living
• Parenting programs
• Life skills development
• Understanding addiction and staying sober
• Spiritual development programs including faith workshops
• Rational Emotive Behavioural Therapy
• Health and wellness education
The programs and guidance provided by Adeara are designed to promote long-term sobriety and empower women to find a career or education path. They are given the supports they need to reintegrate into the greater community and have a positive impact on those around them. Data gathered by Adeara shows that after six months in the program, women have learned to manage stress without the use of substances four times better than when they first entered the program. We have also seen a strong correlation between investing in a church community and remaining sober. Employment and/or further education and independence are also key factors in sustained sobriety.
growing forward | 7
Learning to change my thinking was the most difficult part of my recovery process and perhaps the most fulfilling. – Carly
Our Fundraising Goal Adeara’s residential program offers women the tools they need to take responsibility for their recovery process. But we can’t do this work alone. Because we receive minimal government funding, every contribution from donors like you makes a world of difference in the life of a woman struggling to overcome addiction. People with substance use disorders deserve the same compassion and investment of resources as those who suffer from other chronic health conditions—by supporting their recovery we contribute to a healthier society overall. Of those who have participated in Adeara’s program, 67 per cent have remained sober up to their six-month check in, and 66 per cent are actively employed at that time.
Adeara’s vision is to move to a new, larger facility where we can provide for up to 50 women and 24 children, empowering us to work with three times the number of people we serve today. To make that vision a reality, we’ve set a fundraising goal of $5 million. This will ensure that we meet our operations and expansion goals, as well as the needs of the women and children we serve, both before and after the move to this centre. With your help we can continue to offer the vital programs and services that at-risk women like Debbie need to rebuild their lives, and we can ensure that we will continue to grow along with the demand for addiction recovery services in Alberta.
growing forward | 8
How You Can Help Five million people in Canada are facing the mental health challenge of addiction. When we factor in their friends, family, and allies, it means that 80 to 90 per cent of our country’s population is affected by addiction. Whatever you can afford to give, you can be assured that your gift will go toward addiction recovery, trauma-informed care, healthy living programs, life skills development, therapy, and other necessities for the women and children at Adeara. For each woman and family that is saved at our centre, the strength of our community grows. With every woman whose life is freed from addiction, abuse, poverty, and psychological trauma, our city becomes stronger.
Here’s how you can support Adeara:
DONATIONS We currently accept both monthly and one-time donations, using cheque, Visa, MasterCard, debit, or CanadaHelps. GIFTS IN-KIND In-kind donations are essential to Adeara. As a residential recovery centre that welcomes both women and their children, we require a number of household items for our residents, including the following: ☐ Bedding ☐ New mattresses ☐ Pillows ☐ Gift cards for fresh food ☐ Office supplies or related gift cards ☐ Gift cards for art supplies ☐ Small appliances ☐ Microwave ☐ Cleaning supplies ☐ Vacuum cleaner ☐ Carpet cleaning supplies or services ☐ Laptop ☐ iPads
OUR SIGNATURE EVENTS Adeara holds two major fundraising events per year that engage the community and educate potential partners while raising funds to ensure the sustainability of our work. You can help the women we serve continue their journey of healing and recovery by sponsoring or purchasing tickets to these inspiring events: Leap of Faith Our supporters go to great heights to support the women of Adeara, and there’s no greater example of this than our annual tandem skydiving event, Leap of Faith. If the adrenaline rush of jumping out of a plane appeals to you, consider joining our corporate and individual partners and taking a grand leap (literally) in support of Adeara. Evening of Dreams Held every autumn, our annual Evening of Dreams combines a formal dinner, silent auction, and live entertainment in one spectacular gala event. For more information on how you can support these events, visit adeara.ca.
growing forward | 9
SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES When you sponsor one of Adeara’s programs or events, you help us ensure that our clients are set up for success through a range of programs, activities, and services that meet the highest standards of quality and care. PROGRAM
ANNUAL SPONSORSHIP AMOUNT
Art therapy
$5,000
Life skills development
$10,000
Parenting program
$15,000
Keystone volunteer program
$10,000
Spiritual development activities
$5,000 - $10,000
Food
$15,000
One-year stay for one woman & child
$42,000
LEGACY OPPORTUNITIES Our Adeara legacy fundraising initiative will provide sponsors with naming rights to the rooms, gardens, playgrounds, kitchens, and more in our new home. Invest in a lifetime sponsorship of our facilities, and you will make a lasting impact at our centre and in the lives of the women and children we serve. LEGACY OPPORTUNITY
LIFETIME SPONSORSHIP AMOUNT
Naming rights to current building
$500,000
Naming rights to individual apartments
$10,000 per apartment (10 available)
Naming rights to suite kitchens
$5,000 per kitchen (10 available)
Naming rights to suite living rooms
$5,000 per room (10 available)
Naming rights to common dining room
$25,000
Naming rights to common living room
$25,000
Naming rights to main kitchen
$20,000
Grateful for Your Support With the help of generous organizations and individuals like you, we can create meaningful and lasting change in our communities. With your support, we can grow forward together. On behalf of the women and children who come to Adeara to rebuild their lives, thank you for taking the time to learn about what we do and how you can help. Adeara Box 68169 162 Bonnie Doon Centre Edmonton, Alberta T6C 4N6 P: 780-423-5516 F: 780-429-1090 E: office@adeara.ca adeara.ca Follow us @adeararecovery
Terms of Use Privacy Policy Š 2017 Adeara
If you are interested in sponsorship or legacy opportunities, contact us at adeara.ca.
growing forward | 10
Innocent There was a time I was broken and alone Lost in the dark with no faith or hope Fumbling around, reaching out for help There’s no one around And the lights go out Losing control and I’m shutting down I felt my body losing ground Just a thought this is it There’s nothing left I’m losing it I’m innocent this is it I’m taking a chance at redemption You’ve opened your arms when I can’t seem to quit But It won’t hold me back I’m innocent Afraid to look covered in shame Avoiding the light trying to hide my pain Made from love embraced by grace No matter what were face to face Written in collaboration by: Natasha Korosi & Adrienne Fudge
growing forward | 11
P: 780-423-5516 | F: 780-429-1090 | E: office@adeara.ca Box 68169, 162 Bonnie Doon Centre, Edmonton, Alberta T6C 4N6
Follow us @adeararecovery
adeara.ca