Why this matters
For the individuals living without housing in Waterloo Region who want to stop using drugs, there is almost no way out.
When a person goes through detox and rehab, the lack of sober housing with supports means they are often forced to return back to places where drugs are present. It is nearly impossible for people to hold on to the progress they have made.
This puts them at risk of relapse and even death if they start using again. There are few places in Waterloo Region where a person who has done the hard work of getting off drugs can go and live in a safe, supportive, and sober community.
This is the problem that we are responding to with the project at 1855 Notre Dame Drive.
What it means
Safe
Supportive
Sober
The top priority of this program is creating a safe and stable place for the residents, free from substance use and violence at all times.
There will be staff on site 24/7 and daily programming to help people rebuild their lives.
This project supports people who are choosing to avoid substances and have moved past addiction. It will be a completely drug-free community.
What it will be like
Education
Access to school: so participants can finish high school, pursue higher education, and build a better future for themselves.
Trades training: so participants can learn the skills that will equip them for the well-paying jobs that will lift them out of poverty permanently.
Community enterprise: so participants can build work experience and connect back into the labour market.
Care
24/7 staffing: to ensure the space is safe, sober, and supportive for everyone involved. Staff will manage any issues that arise, look after the property, and be available to address concerns from the community.
Medical support: a wrap-around care network of counselling, medical support, and sobriety supports to meet the needs of the participants and make this a place of healing and growth.
Community reconnection: supporting people as they reconnect with their families, friends, and faith communities.
Transition
Housing connections: working with participants from day 1 to connect them with long-term housing and helping them file the necessary paperwork to access that housing.
Life-skills: supported by staff, participants will be responsible for cooking, cleaning, and caring for the community. This will prepare people to be successful in the transition to long-term housing.
Long-term sobriety: so that participants can maintain their recovery even after exiting community, this project will offer connections to AA/NA support, and other recovery based groups so that they never have to become addicted again.
The project happening at 1855 Notre Dame is a 100% drug free community where people who have overcome their addiction and live far away from substances and build the next chapter of their lives. Beyond a safe place to sleep, this project will offer:
By combining these three components within a supportive, safe, sober living community, the project will give participants an opportunity for transformation while also being good neighbours with the surrounding community.
Why this site
1855 Notre Dame has a long history as a place of faith, healing and hope.
It began as an orphanage founded by Fr. Eugene Funcken, with the support of women in the community in 1858. This continued for 12 years until the School Sisters of Notre Dame took it over in 1870 – continuing the orphanage under their guidance. The project grew and changed names several times, but it always held the tradition of being a place of faith, care, and hope. With this new chapter, we intend to honour that tradition.
How people will access the program
To access this community program, and individual must:
complete a detox and addictions recovery program for a minimum of 28 days (most are longer)
agree to the rules of the site
create a personal recovery plan, alongside the staff
engage in the daily programming of this project
Nobody is forced to be here. The individuals entering the community are actively choosing for themselves to move into a substance-free community because they want to be in a substance-free community. Anyone who is a member of this community is here because they want to be here, do not want to use drugs, and have chosen a new path for themselves.
FAQ
Q: Will there be drugs on site?
A: No. The whole purpose of this project is to create a space where people who are trying to escape addiction and street life can go to be safe from these substances. There will be zero drug use on site and every participant will be fully committed to sobriety.
Q: What about prescription drugs?
A: Yes, medications prescribed by a doctor (anti-depressants, seizure medication, etc.) will be permitted on site. Healthcare is a part of this program and we will not interfere with medical prescriptions.
Q: What if someone starts using drugs on site?
A: Relapse is often a part of recovery and we understand how difficult the path of sobriety can be. That said, we are committed to creating a drug-free environment for our participants. If someone begins using again, they will have leave the community and undergo some form of treatment before they are welcomed back.
Q: What will people do all day?
A: Every day, participants will have a combination of mandatory and optional activities in which they can participate. These will be informed by the experiences of other communities so they help build skills they need to move forward with their lives.
Q: Can I get involved?
A: Of course! If you’d like to support this project as a donor or a volunteer, please share your information below and we’ll be in touch.
Q: I want to speak to a person about this.
A: If you want to speak to a member of our project team, please fill out the form below and a member of our team will be in touch.
Q: I’ve heard something different about this project online and in the community. Why am I hearing different things from different places?
A: The Working Centre is purchasing this property for a drug-free healing community. That said, it is early days and we want to incorporate the voice of the neighbors in how it is operated. Any information shared online that is not from The Working Centre may not be accurate. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to reach out to us using the form below.
Q: Why didn’t my elected officials tell me about this?
A: This is not a project of Wilmot Township or the Regional Municipality of Waterloo. The Working Centre is purchasing this property and is operating the project independently.
Contact Us
We want to be good neighbours and a responsible member of the St. Agatha community.
While this is not a public project, if you have feedback, thoughts, or concerns about this project, please fill out the form below.
A member of our team will be in touch by phone or email – whichever you prefer. Your information will not be sold to anyone and will remain confidential and secure.
If you'd rather email us directly, you can contact us at hello@notredamehealingcommunity.org.