Getting people the help they desperately need

Lisa Hansar checks her morning emails, and the first one includes a note with familiar desperation.

It reads: “Hello, This is perhaps the hardest email I have ever had to send. I’m addicted to meth and need help. If I don’t get off this I will die. Please help me. – Alex”

The email came in via info@renascent.ca – a group email distribution list which ensures that every member of staff at Renascent’s Client Care and Access Centre receives all general inquiries from the public about addiction treatment. Lisa lets the team know she’ll reach out to Alex with help.

Whether by phone, online message, or email, Renascent’s Client Care and Access Centre team responds to tens of thousands of inquiries each year. Sometimes the person reaching out is struggling with addiction, but often it’s a loved one who is looking for help for someone they care deeply for.

Working seven days a week, the team of addictions counsellors is compassionate, skillful, and knowledgeable. Each team member is highly qualified and has lived experience with addiction themselves. Driven by their values and personal commitment to helping people recover from addiction, they go above and beyond the call of duty to ensure everyone who reaches out receives help.

This year, Renascent’s Client Care and Access Centre team had nearly 30,000 touchpoints with people and their loved ones, assessing treatment needs, coordinating care and providing information about Renascent’s life-changing programs.

Providing trauma-informed care through Seeking Safety

Addictions Counsellor, Martha Williams stands at the front of the group therapy room at Renascent Graham Munro Centre (Munro Centre), ready to lead today’s session. Keen and nervous faces look back at her.

“How is everyone doing today?” she asks. The responses vary. They range all the way from “great” to “not good at all.”

Today’s group session covers the topics “How to cope with triggers” and “How to make changes.” Both are essential subjects that help clients battle addiction in the short and long-term. The first topic is based on the Seeking Safety methodology, and the second is anchored in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and recovery education.

In 2023, Renascent’s live-in treatment centres began implementing Seeking Safety, a program designed to help people who have experienced trauma develop healthy coping skills and establish safety in their lives. Paired with recovery education and group counselling, Seeking Safety benefits Renascent’s clients by improving their sense of well-being and resilience, increasing their self-awareness, and encouraging connection.

“Seeking Safety has been well-received by clients. Through these daily sessions, clients gain essential tools to foster immediate safety and long-term recovery. By emphasizing practical coping skills and personal empowerment, we are helping clients control over their lives and build resilience, while offering hope and support for a brighter future,” said Lateasha McIsaac, Manager, Munro Centre.

Seeking Safety was integrated into Renascent’s live-in treatment centre programming, ensuring a holistic approach to addressing substance abuse and trauma concurrently.

Thanking our incredible donors

“Hello, It’s Luisa from Renascent Foundation calling,” said a chipper voice on the other end of the phone. “I’m calling to thank you for your generous donation. It helps us save lives and we appreciate it more than we can ever express.”

Weekly, Luisa Schifitto and other members of the Renascent Foundation team, reach out to donors to thank them for their support. Every donor receives a personalized ‘thank you’ call, and those they are unable to reach receive a handwritten card in the mail.

Luisa, who is Renascent’s Donor Relations and Events Officer, enjoys connecting with donors. Each call has a personal meaning.

Eight years ago, Luisa lost her older brother to substance abuse. He was 45 years of age. Having such a personal connection to addiction makes each donor interaction even more meaningful.

Every donation – amounts big and small – helps Renascent’s teams care for clients. Through events, corporate sponsorships, personal solicitation, and a host of other fundraising initiatives, The Philanthropy team brings in donations that help people who cannot afford the cost of treatment find recovery. The team is extremely thankful for each donor’s support.

This year, Renascent Foundation raised more than $650,000 to help support Renascent’s programs and services. Donations bridge the gap between thegovernment funding Renascent receives for its live-in intensive treatment program and the cost of delivering care. They also support Renascent’s Continuing Care, Family, and Children’s Programs – all essential programs
that enable our full continuum of care.

Coordinating care for clients from the Northwest Territories

Isaiah Gayle hits “send” on an email to the treatment team at Renascent Graham Munro Centre. A client from the Northwest Territories has confirmed their travel itinerary and will be arriving at the centre for addiction treatment in the coming days. Preparation has begun for the client to be admitted and see an in-house physician after they arrive.

Over the preceding weeks, Isaiah and his team developed a strong rapport with this client. It’s an important part of the job, especially when serving clients from Northern Canada who are travelling a very long way – leaving behind everything that is familiar – to participate in life-saving care.

This client is one of many who made the voyage to Renascent’s treatment centres for care, funded by the Government of Northwest Territories. In that region of Canada, there is limited access to addiction treatment and Renascent is proud to help support the recovery of those who need it.

Isaiah, who is Renascent’s Manager of Community Relations and Partnerships, leads a team responsible for supporting and coordinating the clinical needs of employees while also working to meet the organizational needs of the referring employer or institution. They appreciate that clients who are trying to cope with addiction and concurrent mental health disorders may have more complex care needs. They often coordinate client admissions into withdrawal management, travel to and from treatment, post-treatment support referrals, and maintain regular updates with employers.

Last year, Renascent served hundreds of people through our corporate partnerships. Renascent’s growing collaboration with a multitude of organizations builds treatment pathways and access beyond our provincially funded capacity. These partnerships open doors for marginalized groups, create coordinated access to treatment through employers/disability management,
and expands the options for members in our community to get the help they need.

Making recovery more accessible to Ontarians through virtual care

Wendy Edmeades adjusts the camera on her laptop before beginning her next client assessment. As an Addictions Counsellor for Renascent’s Virtual Intensive Treatment Program (VITP), Wendy completes client assessments at seven-day intervals. Today’s assessment is being held 14 days after this client began treatment. In this session, Wendy will work collaboratively with the client to determine the key goals that will comprise their treatment plan.

Developed to address the growing need for addiction treatment and the limited in-patient capacity brought on by the COVID-19 Pandemic, VITP has grown and evolved to serve an increased number of people across Ontario. The online program offers a higher level of accessibility since clients can complete it anywhere that they have an internet connection.

“Clients have attended our program from sober-living homes, shelter spaces, and detox centres,” said Wendy. “We even had clients ask their social worker to arrange a loaner laptop for use so that they could attend the Program. It’s interesting to see how clients who seem to be very intimidated by the internet and computers, become relatively savvy over the course of the program.”

Over the last fiscal year, the program underwent further development aimed at enhancing the client experience. The Program’s assessment process was redesigned to put more emphasis on developing individual treatment plans, and the VITP and Continuing Care teams was strengthened to ensure the best possible support for clients attending the six months of aftercare.

This past fiscal year, the formal VITP Evaluation conducted in partnership with Ontario Shores Centre for Mental Health Sciences was concluded and the findings were shared with Ontario Health. Through this project, over 200 clients were surveyed upon admission, discharge, and at six months post-treatment, over a two-year period. The evaluation underscored the great need for this program, the benefits it provides, and the potential it holds.

Since April 2021, VITP has served nearly 1,000 people diverting many of these individuals from long waitlists for live-in treatment programs. Clients participating in VITP were residents throughout Ontario from all Local Health Information Networks (LHINs), and VITP was accessible to many individuals residing in remote areas in need of intensive treatment services which were not available locally.

Helping clients protect their recovery after treatment

In all that he does, Michael LeBlanc creates an environment of safety for clients. Whether you are attending one of the Continuing Care sessions that he leads online or are dropping into his office at Renascent Paul J. Sullivan Centre (Sullivan Centre), Michael exudes the warmth of a close friend. His surroundings match – the visitor’s chair in his office is perfectly soft and pride flags are visible on his office door and other locations inside.

As a Continuing Care Counsellor for Sullivan Centre alumni, Michael sees clients when they are most vulnerable to relapse – that is, during their first few weeks after treatment. He is among four other counsellors who provide weekly group counselling sessions virtually, with a focus on relapse prevention and education. Sessions last 20 weeks post intensive treatment (with the option of an additional six weeks for those who need extra support), and cover essential topics such as high-risk situations, triggers, and spirituality.

“We meet clients where they are at in their recovery. Every week we assign homework and go through previously assigned work to ensure clients have the opportunity to learn and ask questions related to their own recovery,” says LeBlanc, who has almost eight years of continuous sobriety. He too is a Sullivan Centre alumni. “I share my own recovery story with clients and they find it inspirational to see that someone can transcend those challenges.”

To help intensive treatment clients understand the value of aftercare, Michael spends time with Sullivan Centre clients before they graduate. He has an open-door policy, inviting them in to discuss their post-treatment plan and answer any questions they may have about life after live-in treatment.

Last year, 433 clients were admitted into Renascent’s Continuing Care Program. Clients who are unable to afford the cost of this Program are able to apply for a bursary through Renascent Foundation.

Fostering healing and lasting connections for children

The day’s last group session is about to end and Cassandra Switzer is looking forward to what will come next. Today, she led children through fun, therapeutic sessions to help them develop the skills and understanding to achieve their own recovery from their parent’s addiction. Once the current session ends, she will quietly observe how the personal connections the children formed earlier in the day, evolve into natural bonds of friendships, now that everyone has free-time. It’s one of Cassandra’s favourite moments at these retreats.

“The children who attend Renascent’s Children’s Program retreat really enjoy being together and become close friends,” said Cassandra who is one of the Program’s Addictions Counsellors. This is especially important because connection is a key aspect of the healing and recovery process.

“It’s difficult for children to talk about their challenges. After spending time together at the retreat, they learn to share their feelings and learn that others are going through similar experiences,” said Cassandra. “They realize that they don’t need to feel alone or judged.”

The retreat is one component of Renascent’s Children’s Program which also includes a weekly online check-in group, weekly virtual group sessions for the program’s alumni, as well as one-on-one counselling – all for teens and younger children.

Over the last year, Renascent hosted two Children’s Program retreats; one at the Salvation Army’s Jackson Point location – a serene environment that allows for meaningful family time and enjoyable outdoor leisure activities. Parents and their children attend the three-day or four-day retreat, participating in separate sessions that are specifically tailored to their needs. The time proves to be an unforgettable experience of connection, community, and support.

32 people participated in Renascent’s Children’s Program last year. The Program is funded through the generosity of Renascent Foundation donors. Children spend time learning about addiction, receiving critical support, and connecting with peers in nurturing online and in-person environments.

Helping family members navigate their own recovery

David Russell fondly reminisces about a proud moment he experienced on the job. He received an email from a former client’s parents which began with, “Thank you for all that you’ve taught us. Here’s what we’ve learned…”

Included in the email was a Word document that showcased the vast amount of knowledge the couple gained by attending Renascent’s four-week Essential Care Family Program, and the feelings they experienced throughout their journey. David was thrilled to see how much healing they had experienced and how they applied the tools they gained in their time together.

Delivered over four weekly, hour-long sessions, the Program aims to help the family members and loved ones of people who struggle with addiction find healing. It’s an eye-opening journey for many, especially since most participants are not fully aware of the impact their loved-one’s addiction has/had in their own life.

“People often come into this program with their family member’s recovery as their primary concern. Finding ways to slowly and gently shift that perspective so they realize they need their own recovery, is an incredible task,” shares David. “We grant participants the space to share their hopes and

concerns for their loved ones. We also provide them tools and new language to use so that they can find healing and face the road that lies ahead – regardless of whether their loved one recovers.”

As a Renascent Alumni and a person who has lost a loved one to addiction, David naturally brings empathy to his role. He understands both perspectives deeply.

Like other Renascent Family Program Counsellors, David offers one-on-one sessions to provide additional support for those who need a bit more help. He also recommends that clients stay connected to their peers through weekly Family Alumni Meetings and Al-anon Meetings in the community.

“This is about being with like-minded people who relate to what you’re going through.”

Connecting and inspiring alumni across our programs

Debra Henry looks at the time on her computer. In five minutes, she will open the Zoom meeting room and welcome alumni from across Renascent’s programs to participate in the organization’s All Alumni Online meeting. As an Addictions Counsellor for Renascent’s Virtual Intensive Treatment Program and as the meeting’s facilitator, hosting these meetings is something she looks forward to.

Tonight’s speaker is Alex H., a Renascent alumni who has over one year of continuous sobriety. Alex understands the value of these types of events for people in recovery and sees them as an opportunity to inspire others.

“We can all relate to the experiences of others. While our stories may not be identical, other alumni can still see themselves in my experience of drinking and using. They can also gain something from hearing about where I was then and where I am now,” shares Alex. “They’ll get to see that this path of 12-step recovery works and its rewards are limitless. My life is completely different from what it was before.”

These meetings were started during the last fiscal year, to serve as a meaningful point of connection for Renascent Alumni from across our live-in and outpatient programs. At each meeting, one Renascent alumni shares their story of experience, strength, and hope, then guests are invited to ask questions. The dialogue that follows is full of insights that guests can draw from to aid their own recovery.

With Renascent serving clients spanning Ontario and the Northwest Territories, building points of connection with each other and our organization is important. This is especially true in communities where recovery meetings are limited.

“It’s a meeting alumni won’t want to miss because people who are successful in the programs of 12-step recovery share their insights and knowledge,” said Debra. “The acts of listening and learning are priceless.”

Click the button below to read Alex’s recovery story.