As the saying goes, “The only thing that is constant is change.”

This past winter, news spread of the changes occurring to Quintin Warner House’s live-in addiction treatment program due to a budget gap that could no longer be filled by generous donors. The changes were effective as of April 1, 2019, and through the transition, the mission and vision of Quintin Warner House has kept client needs front and centre.

But what exactly does it mean when we talk about “changes to programming”?

First, the overall program remains with its integrity intact. The focus is still on healing the whole person – physically, emotionally, and spiritually – to help promote long-term sobriety. The program continues to offer three nutritious meals a day prepared fresh in the kitchen, trauma-informed one-on-one and group counselling, and morning workouts at the gym, as well as chances to put learned mindfulness techniques into practice.

The aspects of programming that are affected are the pre-phase and the post-graduation periods.
Before the changes, when men first arrived at Quintin Warner House, they had a four-week pre-phase period that allowed them to get used to the house, meet the other clients, and become
acquainted with London (since many come from out of town). This let any nerves quell before the healing work could begin in Phase One. And once the men completed the program, they had one of two Annex houses to stay in for up to a year to give them some time to find work, find housing, and apply and get ready for schooling.

The time in-program was for focusing on healing and growing and becoming sober. Once they graduated the men could focus on building a foundation for their future while staying connected to supports at Quintin Warner House.

The pre-phase period is now one week, and Annex availability has been reduced to one house.
In addition, the men no longer have staff around for the full night or full weekends. The after-hours staffing is reduced but there are still protocols in place to ensure clients are safe. If they experience high anxiety or have a need to talk, there is a client close to graduation who is designated to help them through the panic, or to contact the counsellor on-call.

Through it all, the focus is to ensure that clients continue to have the best possible outcomes.
If you would like to help advocate for Quintin Warner House program, please fill out, sign, and send the advocacy letter to your MPP. Please find the letter by visiting: missionservices.ca/impact/advocacy

Written by Rachel Ganzewinkel, Communications & PR Coordinator