Recovery Program Takes In First Women

Women in Vernon with addictions are soon going to get more help.

The John Howard Society will start accepting women into the recovery program at Bill’s Place in Vernon October 1.

Society co-executive director Kelly Fehr hopes it’s a start to fill a gap that has existed for too long.

“Initially we are going to be starting with four women. The design of the building we’re able to provide additional space and we’ll just continue to monitor that as time goes on.”

He says if they start seeing more female referrals, they can adjust the living space accordingly.

There have already been eight applications.

Fehr admits it’s tough to choose who gets in

It’s a very difficult thing. We would turn away an average of 30 people a month. Some people aren’t quite ready. Some people aren’t able to pay for it, or aren’t on income assistance yet.”

Those on income assistance will have the 1,800 dollar cost paid for them.

Those who can will pay 1,800 dollars a month compared with 10 to 15 thousand in a privately run facility.

Fehr says the women will have a totally separate living quarters, while some of the
programming will be co-ed and some gender specific.

The program at Bill’s Place has three different stages.

The primary care is three months long.

Anyone who wants to carry on can enter into the Society’s extended living care program, which is about another three months.

When they hit that stage, they continue with part of the curriculum but also start to get into school or employment and re-connect with family.

There are also sober living units for those who are ready to go further.

Fehr says individuals who stay for longer than five or six months and up to a year have greater odds of success at maintaining sobriety.

Bill’s Place has been helping men since 2013.