Pubdate: Tue, 02 Dec 2008 Source: Langley Times (CN BC) Copyright: 2008 Langley Times Contact: http://www.langleytimes.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1230 Author: Chantelle Bowles Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/rehab.htm (Treatment) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/women.htm (Women) NEW TRANSITION HOUSE OPENS IN S. LANGLEY On Saturday Nov. 8, a new transition house for women opened in Langley. Healthy Living Minister Mary Polak, MLA for Langley, was on hand with other officials to officially open Campbell Valley House of Hope, operated by the Wagner HIlls Farm Society. According to BC Housing, the new housing unit has 14 beds for women in addiction recovery and will provide support services and rehabilitation. Those who use the house will receive lessons in job skills, social skills and farm work before they are integrated back into the community. Wagner Hills will also have a staff member on hand at all times. BC Housing provided the society with $250,000 through the Provincial Homelessness Initiative. The money was used to renovate the three houses used for the project. There are eight bedrooms, four bathrooms and one kitchen spread out between the three homes. Renovations to the home included updated sprinkler systems, roof repairs and new septic systems for each unit. Helmut Boehm, executive director of Wagner Hills, said he is very grateful to BC Housing, who owns the land, for allowing them to lease the land for the next 20 years. "This is our beginning to serve women in our community," he said. "It's quite important. It's been years in the planning, with a lot of praying and hoping." At the present time, Campbell Valley House of Hope has room for eight women and will eventually have the resources to serve more. Wagner Hills is a Christian organization with a ministry primarily to men living with addiction. It is open to people who are looking for "Christian drug treatment," and "addiction recovery." People who suffer from abuse or any form of addiction are welcomed at its facilities on 264 Street in Aldergrove. The Wagner Hills transitional House of Hope is located at 460 216 St. in South Langley, the former site of the Chrisholme facility. It is the second transitional house in Langley. "We've been here for 27 years and hope to be here for another 27," said Boehm. "We're building on what others have started." The ministry is currently in need of wool hats, gloves, slippers, toothpaste, toothbrushes and much more. For a complete list of items or for more information visit http://www.wagnerhills.com. - --- MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin