Linden Woods drug treatment centre to open six beds in March

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This article was published 20/02/2025 (402 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

A new addictions recovery centre will soon serve patients in a Linden Woods home, several months after the location triggered opposition from some neighbours.

At the three-bedroom house on Lindenwood Drive East, with two beds in each room, Regenesis Centre for Recovery plans to serve six women and non-binary members of the LGBTTQ+ community. Applications for the spots are now available online.

“Manitoba is facing a very serious mental health, addiction and housing crisis. Those needing to access services face not only lengthy wait times, but other barriers including cost, safety and limited options for specialized programs,” said Cindy Foster, executive director of Regenesis.

Foster said members of the LGBTTQ+ community are more likely to struggle with addiction, especially if they are transgender or non-binary, than their heterosexual counterparts.

“There haven’t been any (local) options for live-in substance addiction recovery programs that have been specifically developed to meet the needs of this community until now,” said Foster.

Participants in the program would receive “wraparound secondary care” for roughly six to 12 months and are expected to reach 30 days of continued sobriety before entering the program, said Foster.

The organization expects participants would have community meals, take part in psychological education, complete afternoon workshops and take part in evening activities with support workers, such as yoga, art, beading and meditation.

The provincial government is providing $350,000 per year to support the program, while some participants could cover rent through employment and income assistance. Those not on EIA would pay $600 per month, Foster said.

The home is equipped with a finished basement, two fireplaces, multiple common areas, three bedrooms, three bathrooms and one walk-in closet.

The recovery centre was met with backlash from some neighbours in recent months.

More than 100 people signed up to appeal a city application for the project in September, with many noting the site is located close to a school. The city’s appeal committee voted two-two on the matter, a tie that defeated the appeal and allowed the project to proceed.

Foster said feedback from the community has since improved.

“There have been a lot of folks that have come by to say that they have changed their minds and opinions since the appeals process and they’re happy to welcome us to the neighbourhood,” she said.

Foster said the location will provide a homey atmosphere and help prevent exposure to visible drug use, thereby reducing potential “triggers” for those in recovery.

While the house is not expected to be a permanent location for the centre, Foster said initial plans to move elsewhere in August 2025 are no longer feasible.

She said a fundraising campaign to support a larger site, ideally with about 50 beds that could also serve men, youth and families, must be completed first. The organization has not yet set a target for how much money it must raise or a timeline to reach that goal.

On Thursday, some neighbours shared a mixed reaction to the opening.

One said she initially had concerns the facility won’t provide 24-hour supervision for those in its care. However, she now supports the concept due to a clear need for addictions recovery treatment.

“Somebody’s taking the initiative to do that for minorities and for women and I just think … how can I not support that?” she said.

Another neighbour said she’s concerned about the indefinite timeline for the centre to operate and that supports won’t be available at all hours.

“My main concern is it’s not 24-hour care … What happens if they do have a relapse and they run out to the street? It is a high traffic corner,” she said.

The residents did not want their names published.

Regenesis hopes its first group of participants will be able to move in around mid-March.

joyanne.pursaga@freepress.mb.ca

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