Thursday, December 22, 2011

FEEDING THE HOMELESS



On Monday December 19th 2011, after three weeks of planning and a lot of hard work over one hundred volunteers met at a local church. The goal on this night was to bring Joy and Happiness to those without in “Vancouver's Downtown Eastside”. "THERE WERE NO LOCAL CELEBRITIES NO LOCAL NEWS COVERAGE AT THIS EVENT AND NO ONE WAS PAID FOR THE EFFORT" If you ask me no one seemed to give a flying F#&K What we did have was a group of people for the sixth year in a row gather together and organize a very special event, Over "One Thousand People" were served up Hot Turkey Dinner, Sandwiches, Pop, Water, Bananas, Apples, Oranges, Chocolates, Wrapped Gifts, Donuts, Coffee, and Clothing. Now here is where it gets interesting, not only was there a high percentage of "Recovering Drug Addicts" involved in this event, but at least forty have done hard time in the Downtown Eastside and have turned there lives around. On top of that at least seventy of those who attended live in the community of "Surrey". Five different "Recovery Houses" were involved on this overcast night and the smiles were flowing like a river. I myself asked the question more than once “Who was having the most joy the people serving or the people receiving?” Giving back is the foundation for change for those of us who have suffered from the "Curse Of Addiction" and the more we can do for our fellow man the better On a personal note as someone who has suffered, ten years ago I couldn't feed or take care of myself and now for the last several years I have been a part of feeding thousands as the founder and director of the “Servant's of Hope”. At this time i would first like to thank God, the men of servant house, my good friends Richard, Donny and Rob; my church and many others who with their support made this event possible Sean

THIS BEAUTIFUL PIECE WAS SENT TO US FROM SEAN HEANEY, WHO RUNS SERVANTS OF HOPE RECOVERY.

IT IS A WONDERFUL LIVING EXAMPLE OF THE TWELVE STEP PRINCIPLE - "YOU'VE GOT TO GIVE IT AWAY TO KEEP IT."

Sunday, December 18, 2011

And now, The Good News


Global Television News is the perennial ratings leader in the Lower Mainland.

It was wonderful to see these two marvelous positive stories about addictions Recovery being featured.

The pieces below offer a quick but exciting look at Harte House, run by VisionQuest and The Orchard, both contributing members of the Drug Prevention Network of Canada.

The items were brought to our attention by Sean Heaney of Servant House and Brenda Plant of Turning Point, two other DPNC member organizations.

It is the dedicated work of these agencies and all the other DPNC Prevention and Treatment programs that continues to add to the millions of Clean Person Days in our communities.

Bravo to you all!

HARTE HOUSE/VISIONQUEST ON GLOBAL TV

ORCHARD ON GLOBAL NEWS

Thursday, December 1, 2011

JOIN US, BE A VOICE FOR PREVENTION & TREATMENT


JOIN US NOW!

Do you believe in the goals of abstinence-based Prevention and Treatment?

If so, we want you to become a full-fledged Member of the DRUG PREVENTION NETWORK OF CANADA.

Our reasons for wanting you to join are simple.

It’s a numbers game.

Governments and private funders in communities across Canada are investing enormous amounts of money in approaches to drug problems that do NOT encourage or support abstinence-based Prevention and Treatment.

The DRUG PREVENTION NETWORK OF CANADA is a small organization with an even smaller budget, and it is not our goal to become a large organization with a big bank account.

But we are rapidly becoming the strongest and clearest voice for clean and sober Prevention and Treatment programs in the media, in communities and in Parliament and local government.

Please join us and become part of that growing voice that calls for more support for solutions that really work.

Please fill in our application form Download our membership application here. and send it back to us by mail or email. If you are an organization, we ask that you contribute $200 for one year. If are an individual, please include $50 for one year.

You will have a vote at our Annual General Meeting, and you will be sent our website and blog regularly where your comments, thoughts and Prevention and Treatment stories will be published if you share them with us. You will be invited to attend conferences and participate whole-heartedly in the issues at hand.

Most importantly, you will become another crucial voice in support of abstinence-based Prevention and Treatment. Your voice will be central in helping more men, women and children avoid or escape the indignities of a life in addictions.

Monday, November 21, 2011

ORCHARD RECOVERY NEWSLETTER

Honour a Life - November 24, 2011



Join us for a beautiful ceremony on Thursday November 24th, 2011

From 1:30pm onward -including Kim's traditional roast beef dinner. We honour our alumni and others who have lost their lives to the disease of addiction. We will share their stories and light candles to their memory.



If you cannot join us, please light a candle wherever you are.






Reel Recovery Film Festival - A Huge Success!



The Orchard Recovery Center and Writers in Treatment presented the Canadian debut of the Reel Recovery Film Festival October 21-23 at Vancouver's District 319.

This exciting three-day festival showcased realistic, honest and inspiring films about addiction and recovery, screening both groundbreaking new films and classic features. Interactive discussions followed each screening. Movie admission proceeds helped non-profit Intersections Media for at risk-youth.



Our opening night gala featured an evening of gourmet cuisine, comedy and cinema. Mayor Gregor Robertson was in attendance for the screening of 2010 documentary, "I Am Comic", which revealed the serious side of hilarity, followed by a performance by our special guest, comic Pat Dixon.



    



    





Thank you to all who contributed and made this night a huge success!






Intervention Canada



Friday September 23rd The Orchard made its first television debut on Intervention Canada.

Check out www.slice.ca/watch/ and click episode 6 to see Conrad's journey through recovery at The Orchard.






Dr. Patrick Fay: 'Addiction is a disease, it can be treated...and treatment works'



Last month's edition of The Celtic Connection featured the Orchard's own addictionologist Dr. Patrick Fay. The article describes Dr. Fay's experience treating addiction in the private as well as the public sector. His experience has taught him that addiction does not discriminate career, wealth or achievement.

The article also captures how Dr. Fay came to work with the addicted population in Vancouver.



For the full article click here: www.celtic-connection.com/features/feat2011_09_02.html







Evolution of Addiction Conference in Los Angeles, California



Orchard counselor Carrie De Jong has been given the opportunity to present some of her expertise at the upcoming Evolution of Addiction Conference in L.A. in December, 2011.
She will be discussing the many sources of trauma over the lifespan of an individual that impact emotional, behavioral, relational, and cognitive functioning. The goal of her seminar is to bring greater awareness to the experience of trauma and its impact on addiction for those who work in the field of addiction treatment.






David Berner



Thursday, October 27th The Orchard welcomed guest speaker David Berner. David Berner is a semi-retired therapist making his contribution to the addictions and recovery field -other than his current assignment as Executive Director of the Drug Prevention Network of Canada.
He began his work in the field 45 years ago ( as the founder and E.D. of the X-Kalay Foundation in 1967 in Vancouver and Salt Spring Island, now the Behavioural Health Foundation in Manitoba) and has run and participated in thousands of hours of individual and group therapy.





An Official Welcome to the Orchard's Clinical Dietician!



Ellie Mackay, M.Sc, RD
Ellie is a Clinical Dietitian registered with the College of Dietitians of British Columbia. She specializes in helping individuals develop a healthy relationship with food. She has over 20 years experience in a wide range of nutrition areas including diabetes management, heart disease, weight control and eating disorders. Ellie received her Masters degree in Human Nutrition from the University of British Columbia examining the role of dieting in the development of eating disorders. She works one-on-one and in group education settings to help clients attain their nutrition goals and guide them to lead a healthful, nourishing lifestyle.





The Orchard One Year Club



Congratulations to our latest one year club members! The following alumni have achieved one year clean and sober:



Caren R, Corrie S, Les F, Aman S, Jamie Q, Ron G, Ryan L, Derek C, Laura F, Colleen M, Susan P, Andrea H, Carlotta R, Pauline M, Sue O, Ryan G, Mete S, David D, Carolyn S



Drop by the administration building next alumni day to see your name posted on the one year club board.






Please click on the link below to read alumni thoughts on being at the Orchard at Christmas:





























© 2011 The Orchard Recovery and Drug Treatment Center     1-866-233-2299