BC New Hope Recovery Society is a non-profit organization, founded in 2007 by Lorne Mayencourt, in order to open and provide oversight to Baldy Hughes Therapeutic Community. The goal was to pioneer a new model for treating addiction in BC. It would be abstinence-based and guided by therapeutic community principles - a successful model from Italy that would be unique and innovative in this province.
Over the past four years the community has established itself as a well-respected treatment facility that receives referrals from around the province. One year ago, the BC government purchased the 160-acre property and formalized an operating agreement with the Society. This brought financial stability to our daily operations and ensured the long-term sustainability of the community.
Four months ago, at the invitation of the board, BC Housing began a comprehensive review and audit of our programs, operations and finances. Consequently, several policy and program improvements have been implemented bringing a level of professionalism to our operations that had been missing. Dr. Beverly Richardson, a 28-year addictions specialist, led BC Housing's comprehensive review of the Centre. We are grateful for the excellent recommendations and changes that have occurred as a result of BC Housing's direct involvement.
Our new Executive Director, long-time Prince George resident Rodger Travale, has been part of this process and will continue to build the program with our dedicated staff.
The evolution of Lorne's vision has taken a tremendous amount of goodwill, energy and support. The local community and businesses, our government partners, political leaders (particularly Shirley Bond and Rich Coleman), our staff, financial donors and board members have been instrumental in overcoming the many challenges along the way.
However, the Prince George Citizen would have you believe that this grassroots initiative never experienced any growing pains until last March when our board made the decision to hire a new Executive Director. Since that time - and never before - the Citizen has published a series of reports and editorials that have disregarded the facts.
The Citizen's speculation about the inner workings of the Centre and the Society's Board composition culminated with an editorial in Wednesday's paper that crossed the line. Rather than engage in further action the Board has accepted the apologies of the Citizen's owners and we expect the matter to end here.
Our volunteer board is a collection of outstanding individuals who bring an extraordinary amount of non-profit experience and business acumen to the table. Current directors include three founding members; two Prince George-based CEOs (one who is an accredited board member of the Chartered Secretaries Association); the Chair of the board of Pacifica Treatment Centre; a former board member of Salvation Army's Belkin House and Miracle Valley facilities; a former board member of the Vancouver Police Foundation and the BC Sports Hall of Fame; and a former Friends For Life board member, who is also an FCA accredited principal in a B.C. accounting firm.
All of these accomplished individuals stand behind and fully support the leadership of our current Chair, Kevin England. As Lorne Mayencourt said, "Kevin has been a relentless force behind Baldy Hughes from the beginning and has served with passion, integrity and determination."
It is true that Board members have come and gone over the last four years. This is par for the course for any grassroots society as it moves from inception to a mature operational state. Several weeks ago we ran an ad in this paper seeking new Board members. We have received numerous responses and expect to add new directors from the Prince George area shortly. The Board would then consist of four directors from Vancouver and four from Prince George.
For the record, Mr. England wishes to state the following: "The support of the community is important to Baldy Hughes and we look forward to working towards a new relationship with the Prince George Citizen. Minister Bond and Minister Coleman have been resolute and supportive of Baldy Hughes and we believe their efforts deserve positive recognition."
The board believes, as always, that the focus of attention for Baldy Hughes should be on the individuals who are rebuilding their lives and preparing themselves to return to their families and communities as responsible and productive members of society.
