Winnipeg recovery centre to help underserved communities with addictions care

A new addiction recovery centre for women and non-binary members of the LGBTQ2S+ community is ready to open its doors.

A Winnipeg recovery centre is getting ready to open its doors and provide culturally appropriate and community-based live-in addictions care for underserved communities.

On Thursday, Regenesis Centre for Recovery announced applications for addiction services are now open for women and non-binary folks. The organization will then review the applications, with the goal of moving people in by mid-March.

“As we’re all aware, Manitoba is facing a very serious mental health, addiction and housing crisis,” said Cindy Foster, founder and executive director of the recovery centre.

“Those needing to access services face not only lengthy wait times, but other barriers including costs, safety and limited options for specialized programs.”

Foster noted that statistics show addiction disproportionately impacts the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, especially those who are transgender and non-binary.

“The reality is, there just aren’t enough programs available to meet the need in our community,” Foster said.

“There aren’t enough resources and safe spaces to go and for those belonging to the 2SLGBTQIA+ community here in Manitoba, there haven’t been any options for live-in substance addiction recovery programs that have been specially developed to meet the needs of this community – until now.”

Regenesis Recovery Centre was developed to provide live-in addiction recovery services, with programs developed specifically for the 2SLGBTQIA+ community.

The centre, which has six beds, will provide a safe, inclusive home-like setting that provides support, community connection and land-based healing.

“This organization and its mission was built to acknowledge the role of oppression based on identity and its effects on addiction and mental health,” Foster said.

“While there are many paths to recovery, there’s also one element that remains constant and that is hope.”

Treatment facility received pushback from residents

The decision to set up a treatment centre in Linden Woods received push back from residents.

In 2024, a group of residents filed an appeal against the centre, saying it didn’t fit in a residential community, and were worried about it being located near two schools and seniors’ homes.

Neighbours also questioned who would monitor the facility and what would happen in case of relapse.

A city committee voted 2-2 on the appeal, which was defeated because of the tie, allowing Regenesis to operate.

However, Foster said the community has since started to warm up to the space.

“The dialogue that we have heard from the community has been very positive,” she said. “There have been a lot of folks that have come by to say that they have changed their minds and opinions since the appeals process, and they’re happy to welcome us to the neighbourhood.”

CTV News Winnipeg has reached out to multiple residents who filed appeals against the space, and is awaiting responses.

-With files from Jon Hendricks, Danton Unger and Jeff Keele