Deltassist is taking over operation of Tsawwassen's Little House, providing substance use recovery services at the facility starting next month.
On Tuesday (Aug. 13), the City of Delta announced it had entered into a five-year licence agreement with Deltassist Family and Community Services Society, allowing them to use the Little House for substance use counselling services and recovery support group meetings.
The deal not only ensures that Deltassist can provide vital provincially-funded support and recovery services at Little House, but also opens up space at the society's Ladner location for other important programs such as seniors counselling and newcomer services, according to a city press release.
The facility had previously been managed by Little House Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Society, which merged with Surrey-based Phoenix Drug and Alcohol Recovery and Education Society in May of 2021, two years after Little House began running a program for family members of those in Phoenix Society’s residential treatment programs.
This spring, however, Phoenix Society announced it would be ceasing operations at Little House effective April 30.
To keep the facility open while the city searched for a new licensee to run the Little House, a transition plan was agreed to whereby Phoenix would continue its administrative support for recovery groups using the facility while Delta took over responsibility for the building's maintenance and cleaning.
Deltassist will begin occupying the Little House on Sept. 1, allowing time for a smooth transition. Existing recovery groups will continue to access the Little House for meetings during this interim period, and will be supported by Deltassist moving forward.
"Deltassist is a trusted, long-time community partner, and I’m pleased to see them manage these critical support services at the Little House,” Mayor George Harvie said in a press release. “It’s essential to maintain free substance use counselling services in our community to support residents in need and their families.”
Tuesday's announcement notes Deltassist's expansion into the Little House facility strengthens the society's presence in the community, furthering its mission to support all Delta residents.
“Deltassist is very pleased to enter into this agreement with the City of Delta to provide substance use services in Tsawwassen, reducing distance and mobility barriers, and to provide a stable home for the recovery support groups that have assisted many people in Tsawwassen and are an important piece of their recovery. Deltassist meets people where they are at in their journey of recovery with compassion, caring and kindness” the society's executive director, Julie Chadwick, said in a press release.
The Little House, located at 5061 12th Ave., was donated to the city in 1979 by an anonymous resident on the condition it be used in perpetuity to benefit the community, according to a brief history posted on littlehousesociety.ca. For 27 years it served as a home to drug and alcohol recovery groups until being destroyed by fire in 2009.
The facility was rebuilt in 2012 with contributions from the community and recovery groups. The 1,800-square-foot, fully-accessible house includes a comfortable counselling office and two meeting rooms that accommodate recovery group meetings, workshops and educational sessions.
Deltassist, meanwhile, has been offering free substance use services in Delta since 1985, supporting both those who use substances and those affected by the substance use of others.
The society is also a co-chair of the Delta Community Action Team (deltaoverdose.ca), playing a key role in addressing the toxic drug supply crisis in Delta by providing free Naloxone kits and training to the community as requested.
For more information about services offered by Deltassist, visit deltassist.com.
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