For those in recovery, exiting residential treatment directly to independent living can be unsafe, for many reasons.  Chief among these is the fact that addicts need a safe and supportive space to practice the tools of recovery they have just learned.  This is widely considered an essential foundation for long-term recovery.

Umbrella began addressing the urgent need for local supportive recovery in 2015 by taking over the operation of the aptly named Foundation House, a home for men leaving residential treatment – or, a ‘second stage’ facility.  Since then, Umbrella has expanded its housing operations by adding two more recovery houses, Cooper and Potter.  These houses, both ‘third stage’ facilities, enable Umbrella to provide continuity of care in recovery by offering a safe place for residents leaving Foundation House.  Umbrella also added a second-stage home for women, Hudson House, which was eventually sold.  Currently, Umbrella is seeking to re-launch its women’s supportive recovery program by purchasing a suitable home.

In 2019, Umbrella received the Housing Provider of the Year Award in recognition of the success of its housing program, and its role in fostering recovery.

The emphasis at each of our houses is individualized support tailored to the resident’s specific needs.  For this reason, no limits are placed on duration of stay:  in conjunction with support staff, each resident will chart a safe path and plan for exit.  Further, residents do not have to comply with a rigid daily schedule.  Provided that they focus on their recovery, they are free to pursue work, volunteering, or school while housed by Umbrella.  Another focus of Umbrella housing is fostering of community.  As such, residents must pitch in and complete daily chores, attend a weekly house meeting, and generally exhibit a friendly, collaborative and helpful attitude.  Finally, Umbrella adheres to a philosophy that recovery should be affordable.  Each resident thus pays an all-inclusive rent which is reasonable for those of limited means.

To learn more about our award-winning housing program, please call our office at 250-380-0595.

 

Our Housing

Foundation House

A second stage facility, ‘F House’ provides sanctuary to men having completed a minimum of 30 days in residential treatment.  At Foundation House, residents are supported by trained staff who guide and mentor them in their individual quests to find sobriety and life purpose.  In return for a safe and affordable environment and living space, residents are expected to participate in the day-to-day operations of the house by sharing chores, including cooking, cleaning, laundry and yard work.  Collaboration and connection are more than catchy buzzwords at Foundation House: they are constants of day-to-day life.  Further, residents are encouraged by staff to engage in interactions with one another that are caring, compassionate, and conflict-free.  Umbrella also provides all residents access to regular, professional one-on-one counselling, both during and after residency.

Residents also enjoy the company of Lyca, the house’s only permanent inhabitant.  A rescue dog, Lyca develops trust slowly. Residents quickly learn, however, that Lyca’s affection is swiftly earned by escorting her for daily walks and games of fetch.  By indulging her in this way, residents quickly learn that Lyca is very loving and affectionate.  Her greetings quickly fade from snarls and barks to tail wags and butt wiggles.  Men who successfully graduate frequently testify that Lyca is one of their fondest F House memories, and one of the main agents of their healing.

Cooper House

For many, second-stage residency is not enough to secure long-term sobriety.  In recognition of this, Umbrella has established two third-stage houses, Cooper and Potter.

Umbrella’s first third-stage house, Cooper allows residents to explore freedom and independence, while ensuring they remain accountable and responsible.  With less supervision from Umbrella staff, and no scheduled cooking and cleaning chores, residents gently ease away from the treatment model and integrate back into the community, confident that they are cared for, guided and supported.  While housed in third stage, men are encouraged to continue with Umbrella counselling and outreach. 

Potter House

In March 2021, Umbrella expanded its third-stage housing program by adding Potter House.  A five-bed home situated almost directly behind Foundation House, Potter offers the chance for Foundation House residents to retain continuity and connection to their supportive recovery community.  Further, Potter is also very close to Umbrella’s office, and therefore provides quick access to the many recovery services and supports offered by Umbrella, including its groups, its intensive outpatient recovery program Comfortably UN-Numb, and intensive journaling.  Again, like Cooper, Potter offers residents the ability to confidently transition away from the more rigorous regimes of treatment to the complete freedoms of independent living. 

Hudson House

*This house was sold and we are currently seeking a new house for our women’s program