Streets Alive Missions has purchased the Galt Manor building in downtown Lethbridge to use as part of its four-step residential recovery program, June 1, 2023. (Photo: Lethbridge News Now)

By David Opinko

Streets Alive purchases downtown Lethbridge building for “safe secure housing”

Jun 1, 2023 | 3:20 PM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – Streets Alive Mission aims to help more people in Lethbridge who are recovering from substance addiction.

The non-profit has purchased the Galt Manor building on 7 Street South, utilizing funds from private donors.

Co-founder Ken Kissick said it will be used for the final stage of Streets Alive’s four-step residential recovery program. With the addition of this building, the organization will another 12 units of housing.

“The individuals who will eventually go into the housing unit are already coming out of the program, and because they’re in stage four, they’ll have anywhere from 10 [months] to maybe almost as much as two years worth of clean and sober,” said Kissick. “Again, it’s still a programmed housing unit in the sense that there’s an expectation that they remain drug and alcohol free.”

Kissick explains that the first stage, lasting about 30 days, focuses on detox. Residents are kept under strict curfews with supervision and staff can assist with any matters in court that they might be dealing with.

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Stage two is about “recovering their life,” according to Kissick, with an emphasis on programming such as addictions, trauma, counselling, and volunteering. This stage can last anywhere from 90-180 days.

By the time a person reaches stage three, the resident might have started to go back to work or school. While there is more independence here, they still live in controlled units.

Among those who complete stage one, Kissick said the Streets Alive has about an 85 percent program completion rate.

Streets Alive already owns a number of residential treatment facilities across Lethbridge, but Kissick said he believes it is important to add more as there has been an increasing number of people in recent years who are suffering from addiction.

The Galt Manor building was condemned in 2017, being declared “unfit for human habitation” due to high levels of illicit drug use, damages, and other activities. Extensive renovations were completed the following year.

Some of the units in Galt Manor are already being rented out. Kissick said the current residents will not be kicked out and he will work with them to find suitable solutions.

READ MORE: From run down to renovated, Galt Manor to house new tenants soon

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