Mission Services of London is pleased to announce the expansion of its Quintin Warner House (addiction treatment) branch, with the addition of 10 treatment beds and a new location at 457 York Street (former site of the Crashbeds program, which closed in 2018).
“[It’s] not just an expansion of beds, it’s an enhancement to the program,” says Peter Rozeluk, Executive Director of Mission Services of London. These enhancements include additional group meeting rooms, increased staff supports to better serve participant needs, and a planned subsequent expansion of the annex housing aftercare program.
As part of the Ontario government’s $90 million Addiction Recovery Fund, Quintin Warner House will receive $584,000 each year for the next two years for the additional addiction treatment beds.
“Now more than ever, it is critically important to ensure that everyone can access the safe and effective mental health and addictions services they deserve – when and where they need them,” said Michael Tibollo, Associate Minister of Mental Health and Addictions. “Investing in mental health and addictions services in London, like those offered at Mission Services, is just one way our government is helping to ensure all Ontarians have access to the high-quality mental health and addictions care that meet their unique needs, and have opportunities for treatment and recovery.”
“This is a big deal for us,” Rozeluk adds. “But it is very meaningful to the London community as a whole.”
Brian Lester, Executive Director of the Regional HIV/Aids Connection agrees.
“It has been long recognized that an increase in treatment beds is a critical part of the addiction support service continuum in London and across Ontario,” he says. “As the opioid/overdose crisis surges, and lives continue to be lost, it is vital that our government offers an expansive range of accessible treatment and harm reduction approaches in our community.”
For Jon DeActis, the Executive Director of Salvation Army’s Centre of Hope, the expansion offers an exciting opportunity for further collaboration. “From withdrawal management to addiction treatment, and then supportive housing afterwards, we’re working closely [with Mission Services of London] to provide a range of services across the spectrum to ensure people can get support they need when they’re struggling,” he says.
“The biggest problem in the system right now across the province are waitlists. And these beds will certainly help with that,” DeActis adds.
The relocation of the branch will occur in stages, as renovations to the building are undertaken. Some of the planned renovations include the addition of a kitchen space, remodeling bathrooms and relocating the laundry facilities. To learn more about the programming at Quintin Warner House, click here.
To read about how the addiction treatment program at Quintin Warner Program helped Tom, a young man struggling with addiction, click here.
If you’d like to contribute to the program expansion, please donate online today. Select Quintin Warner House/Addiction Treatment Branch from the drop down menu.