New supportive recovery house tailored to people with FASD

People in Edmonton with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder have a new place to turn to for support. CTV News Edmonton's Miriam Valdes-Carletti has the story.

The Bissell Centre has opened a new supportive recovery house in Edmonton tailored to people with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD).

Named Den of Willows, the house supports people coming out of recovery and helps people retain long-term housing.

“Housing is important for all of us, of course, but the community aspect is something that is what sets this program apart,” said Bissell Centre’s executive services officer Candace Noble.

The Bissell Centre also operates a 34-unit supportive housing site for adults with FASD that have concurrent disorders, but for those who wanted to start their recovery, that facility wasn’t leading to success for them.

“The Bissell Centre has had a strong focus on adults with FASD for many, many years. It’s a population that’s underserved and really needs support in terms of that executive level functioning,” said Noble. “It’s not a visible disability or challenge, but it’s definitely one that requires external support, and we’ve been really leaning into that as an organization.

Located in north-central Edmonton, Den of Willows provides housing for five people with FASD who are in recovery from addiction and have histories of chronic homelessness. There are staff on-site 24/7 to provide life skills development, employment readiness, cultural connection and referrals to health and community services.

“I find that being here in a place that offers these supports, it helps to regulate everything, both from my schedule to my own anxieties to anything that I end up needing help with,” said resident Chance Goddard. “Both the staff, as well as the other residents, they’re all very open and very good about providing that assistance and that support to each other.

The home was purchased by the Bissell Centre with funds from an anonymous donor. Programming is funded by the province’s Ministry of Mental Health and Addiction.

With files from CTV News Edmonton’s Miriam Valdes-Carletti