Treatment Centre staff excited to be up and running again
Uko Akpanuko
Daily Herald
Staff, clients, guests, and dignitaries celebrated the re-opening of the Valley Hill Youth Treatment Centre with a special ceremony on April 29.
Representatives from the PAGC, provincial government, City of Prince Albert, SGEU, and YWCA joined staff and participants for the grand re-opening. Brian Howell, the centre’s interim executive director, said they’re excited to be up and running again.
“We’re getting closer to full capacity,” Howell said. “That’s what we’re working towards. It’s been really exciting. The staff are motivated and lots of good things are happening.”
The centre is a joint partnership between the PAGC, SHA, provincial government, and City of Prince Albert. Howell said they began discussions to reopen in March, and have been fully operational since April 1.
They currently have eight clients with room for 14 in total. Howell said they’d like to be at full capacity. They continue to work with the PAGC to develop land-based training with a focus on Indigenous Cultural Teachings.
The treatment centre is a non-profit organization that offers recovery services to youth ages 12-17 who are struggling with addictions.
“We all know the issues of substance misuse are growing across the entire population,” Howell said. “The increase of substance misuse among youth is particularly concerning because it can lead to lifelong dependencies and lifelong issues. The thinking here is to intercede at an early age … and lead people away from substances and towards a better path.”
The PAGC Executive Director, Al Duchame and representatives from other stakeholders were present and expressed their delight about the re-opening of the Center.
Elder Lorne Waditika of Wahpeton First Nation conducted a pipe ceremony. The ceremony celebrated “a fresh start while connecting with the Creator, fostering unity and peace, and seeking healing and guidance for the community,” according to a Valley Hill press release.
For more information on Valley Hill, please visit the organization’s website at www.vhytc.ca.
Valley Hill temporarily suspended services on Aug. 30, 2024.
–with files from Jason Kerr/Daily Herald
