Skip to content

Donation pumps up addiction recovery

Ten pieces of gym equipment now fill the garage, transformed into a gym, at Bill's Place
8882vernonjs-billsplace-11-8-16
Brad Houghton (left)

North Okanagan men on a path to recovery from addiction are gaining strength in their journey thanks to a new addition at Bill’s Place.

Ten pieces of gym equipment now fill the garage, transformed into a gym, at the addictions recovery centre in Vernon. Flaman Fitness donated the equipment, worth about $39,000, to help support Bill’s Place residents on their path to sobriety.

“Physical well-being goes hand-in-hand with emotional well-being,” said Brad Houghton, manager of addictions services for the North Okanagan John Howard Society, which operates Bill’s Place. “Addiction takes everything so the physical part it really helps.”

Whether it’s lifting weights, going for a run on the treadmill or tackling the press, the improvements that one sees in their body provides a boost both mentally and physically.

And the clients, who are loving the access to gym equipment right outside their door, were so thrilled with the donation, they wasted no time in turning the garage into a workout centre.

“They cleaned it all out and set it all up,” said Houghton, adding that this is the largest donation of its kind Bill’s Place has ever received.

For Flaman Fitness, which donates $1 million annually company-wide, the donation is an investment in its community.

“Each store tries to donate locally,” said Rob Spencer, of the Vernon store.

For the about 19 clients who access Bill’s Place, the donation represents access to physical well-being that many would otherwise not be able to afford.

“We could never do something like this without Flaman stepping up and supporting recovery,” said Kelly Fehr, NOJHS director of operations.

Bill’s Place is a recovery home and sober living apartment for those battling drug and/or alcohol addiction.

“This is family for them,” said Houghton, of the staff, volunteers and residents within the programs.

For some, the service is temporary, staying up to a year in the accommodations, while others go on to become part of the volunteer leadership team at NOJHS.

Bill’s Place has 19 beds, but is routinely full.

“We turn people away. I would say on a weekly basis,” said Fehr, estimating 10 to 12 a month.

Bill’s Place relies on donations to operate as the program doesn’t receive any funding.

 



Jennifer Smith

About the Author: Jennifer Smith

Vernon has always been my home, and I've been working at The Morning Star since 2004.
Read more