Our Services
Genesis House
The Genesis House Community Residential Facility and Programs Centre opened in July 2000 and offers comprehensive residential services as well as hosting a program delivery site for Correctional Service of Canada (CSC) Correctional Programs.
Built in 1898, Genesis House is a beautiful heritage house located in residential New Westminster, British Columbia. The house has been fully renovated inside to include additional showers and bathrooms. The bedrooms have also been renovated, and their floors have been restored to the original state. The house features a computer terminal that allows residents to improve their computer and word processing skills as well as to create résumés.
The house is well served by public transportation which provides quick and easy access to most locations in the Lower Mainland. It is situated a short walk from the Columbia SkyTrain station. The Canada Games Pool & Fitness Centre and the Royal City Centre shopping mall are short distances away. The New Westminster Community Corrections (Parole) Office is within walking distance of Genesis House.
Genesis House is particularly accommodating to persons dealing with substance use issues. The facility provides a structured environment, specialized support and accepts residents on the Methadone Maintenance Treatment Program. Staff receive extensive training in FASD Awareness and Effective FASD Intervention Strategies, Substance Abuse Awareness, First Aid, FOODSAFE, Non-violent Crisis Intervention, Conflict Resolution, Motivational Interviewing, Risk Assessment/Risk Management.
Genesis House also provides services, as well as access to community agencies and resources, to meet the specific needs of clients with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD).
Residents are accommodated in single, double, and triple occupancy rooms. The locked rooms are assigned in a way that maximizes resident harmony. Residents at Genesis House are provided with shelter, meals, reasonable privacy, and access to both free telephone and laundry facilities.
Programs
Genesis House currently offers the following CSC Correctional Programs:
- Community Maintenance Program
- Methadone Maintenance Support Group Program
Genesis House also delivers
- Community Violent Offender Relapse Prevention Program
- Substance Abuse Counselling Support Group Program
- (hosts) local Alcoholic Anonymous meetings
- FASD Offender Programs including in-reach and outreach services, residential services while on conditional release, aftercare support
- Employment Experience, Training and Placement Programs
Maria Keary Cottage
Currently under construction near Genesis House, the twin heritage-designated Maria Keary cottages will become a single transitional and supported housing facility with 20 minimum-barrier, harm-reduction beds for chronically homeless men and 15 beds for federal and provincial offenders on conditional release.
The overall objective of Maria Keary Cottage is to address the need identified in the December 2006 New Westminster Homelessness Action Strategy and Implementation Plan for New Westminster for “a minimum-barrier, harm-reduction supported housing facility for the chronically homeless.” The Society will offer housing and assistance to previously homeless men to help them stabilize their lives and overcome the barriers that keep them homeless.
Maria Keary Cottage is expected to open in March 2010.
