Fresh Start Addiction Treatment Program

The picture above shows one of our men adhering to Alberta Health Services (AHS) regulations while he visits with his daughter through Fresh Start's front door during the COVID-19 pandemic.

This is just one sign of the dramatic changes that have taken place since our last report to you and we wanted to share with you the great work that you have helped Fresh Start complete to protect the men and their families during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

We would also like you to invite you to consider joining some of our generous donors who are making it possible for you to make an even bigger difference to help man and family members - like the ones above - during the July Bonus Day on July 15^th.

Safety First

On March 13th of this year Fresh Start immediately implemented AHS safety measures to protect against COVID-19 and keep men and family members safe. The plan was simple but not easy; it called for - among other things - increased cleaning of the facility, all staff who had contact with those in our care to wear personal protective equipment (masks and gloves) and sanitize frequently throughout the day as well as taking precautionary measures while away from Fresh Start.

Fresh Start's swift and decisive action paid off and we have experienced zero (0) cases of COVID-19.

Connection between Isolation and Addiction

Our Executive Director, Stacey Petersen, often quotes Johann Hari when he says, “The opposite of addiction is not sobriety; the opposite of addiction is connection” and “Addiction is a disease of isolation”.

While physical distancing within Fresh Start has proven to be effective in keeping COVID-19 at bay, social distancing in our community and communities across Canada has done much to isolate people and promote increased alcohol and drug consumption.

Recent Notice from Alberta Health Services

Drug and Alcohol Use has gone UP in the last three months. Increased isolation leads to an increase in the use of drugs and alcohol. Fresh Start has been made aware of increased usage from a couple of sources. On June 4th 2020, Alberta Health Services informed Fresh Start that they had “ … recently seen a higher than average number of opioid-related EMS responses in the Calgary Zone, particularly in the Local Geographic Area (LGA) of CALGARY – LOWER NE. At this time, there is no specific information available on the substance, its description, or the observed reactions. This information is being shared for awareness purposes only.”

At the same time, sales of alcohol have shot up 30%.

The idea that Social distancing fuels increased alcohol and drug consumption is confirmed by the dramatic increase in demand for recovery. 

Demand for Recovery is Up and Growing

Fresh Start has experienced a huge surge in the demand for recovery services through our wait list which usually sits at 120 men waiting for treatment that could save their lives. Recent wait list numbers have shot up 150% to 180, a number we have not seen since Calgary’s last large-scale traumatic event - the 2013 “100 Year Flood”.

Future Need for Treatment

Our experience tells thus that the need and demand are far greater than what they see on our wait list, but the size and growth of that wait list are good indicators of the magnitude of the problem in our community.

There is no doubt that Fresh Start will need more resources to handle the increased demand for services including treatment as well as post treatment housing and outreach support. 

Dedicated Donors committed to leverage your donation by 100%

The Matt Rumpel Family Foundation (2019 Doc Seaman Individual Philanthropist Award sponsored by Calgary Foundation), the Sam Ousher Switzer Charitable Foundation (Calgary 2013 Lifetime Philanthropist), Lois and Dick Haskayne (Calgary 2004 Outstanding Lifetime Philanthropist) and The Alvin and Mona Libin Foundation understand this need and have collectively pledged $335,000 to match your donation dollar for dollar until August 31st so that recovery is accessible to those who need and want treatment but can’t afford it.

(Note: All donors listed above have given permission for their names to be mentioned as they believe it can help inspire others like you to join them).

Your donation will go even further on July 15^th through GlobalGiving's Bonus Day as follows: 

• Donations of $100 - $499 USD will be matched at 15% + 115% = 230%
• Donations of $500 - $749 USD will be matched at 30% + 130% = 260%
• Donations of $750 - $1,000 USD will be matched at 50% + 150% = 300%

Thank you for your consideration and as always, Thanks for you past support in making a difference in the lives of so many! 

Gratefully,

You have been an important part of Fresh Start's success with GlobalGiving!

Thank you for your support of Fresh Start Recovery Centre through your donation on GlobalGiving to "Your Gift Delivers GratefulRecovery to 18 Men" . Your participation has helped Fresh Start become better known, not only in Canada but throughout the world for transforming and saving lives.

You might be interested in seeing a note that Fresh Start recently received from a first-time donor through GlobalGiving. We would like to share this note with you, inform you of a positive GlobalGiving development in 2019 and share with you how you can greatly leverage and influence a matching opportunity that GlobalGiving is launching next week. 

First the note:

Heather C. recently wrote …

“A few years ago, I suggested to my adult children that instead of giving each other Christmas gifts, we would make a donation to a favourite charity. And so, we have done that ever since.

This Christmas my beautiful daughter gave me a gift card to GlobalGiving, where I could choose a charity of my choice. And so, I have chosen you. It is just a small donation, but I hope that every little bit helps.

And so, I do this in remembrance of my daughter's friend, who passed away a few years ago of a drug overdose. He thought he could manage his addiction, but he couldn't. He was 33. And I do this in memory of my dear friend Aline's grandson, who died last year of a drug overdose; his father found him. He was 27. And I do this in the very special memory of Ruth, an inspiration, who even as an elder in her 80s continued to get up every Monday morning to volunteer with her church to help cleanup the rooms where homeless people came “Inn From The Cold”, in Calgary. 

And I do this for all my family and friends in Calgary, and all streets and parks and places I know so well, and love.

And finally, I do this in memory of Jim, who many years ago when I was younger and starting out in my life, stood up one evening at a Camera Club meeting and said, “I want to thank you all for this great meeting and sharing your stories through photos. As for me, I am going out with my family tonight to celebrate, we are celebrating my birthday. Forget when I was born; this is my real birthday. There have been hard times. But tonight, I have been sober for 20 years. And I will share this with family, and with you, my friends. Tonight, I have been sober for 20 years!” 

And so, this is for Jim, who so many years ago taught me the power of redemption.    

And as the winds blow here and rains fall tonight, I say to you...

Never give up. Jim could do it. You can too.

Heather C. 
Vancouver Island”

While Heather is originally from Calgary, it took a GlobalGiving Gift Card from her daughter for her to become aware of Fresh Start’s presence on GlobalGiving and to donate. Heather's daughter definitely found Fresh Start on GlobalGiving and knew the impact that a gift card could make.

A special nod from the staff at GlobalGiving in 2019 

Others have found Fresh Start’s profile because you have shared this good news with them.

One “gift” that helped give us a boost in 2019 came directly from the GlobalGiving staff who chose Fresh Start as their “Staff Favorite” last year, which ended up raising our profile even more.

Little by little, each act of kindness helps raise greater awareness, more funds and allows us to help more men and their families work to achieve a fulfilling life, free from drugs and alcohol.

Your opportunity to create great leverage 

Speaking of little by little, GlobalGiving is launching a campaign next week between 7:00 am MDT Monday, March 23^rd and 10:00 pm MDT on Friday, March 27^th. called “littlexlittle”. This campaign leverages the gifts of people who donate up to $70 Canadian ($50 US) with a match of 0.50¢ for every dollar ($1.00) donated. 

Your donation has great power to make a difference. By sharing the fact that you donated, it will inspire others to join you and has the potential for exponential impact. GlobalGiving has stated that matching funds "will not run out".

With this generous GlobalGiving match, each donation of $50 US ($70 Canadian) to Fresh Start by a "unique donor" (a series of $50 US gifts from you will not qualify beyond your first gift) from March 23^rd to March 27^th,  would mean approximately $105 Canadian for Fresh Start in total after the match ... now that’s some really powerful leverage.

If you share with others on social media and they are inspired to join you, who knows what this could lead to.

Fresh Start is very grateful for your past support and would like to thank you for considering getting behind this new campaign, sharing the news with others and creating some incredible leverage and magic. I am sure that it will generate some more inspiring letters like Heather's.

"Littlexlittle", you and those you inspire have the power to make a huge difference knowing that "Your Gift Delivers GratefulRecovery to 18 Men" .

Thanks for all of your support in so many ways; your support truly does save lives!