Anderson Lodge Healing Centre for Women

Background

Anderson Lodge Healing Centre for Sisters is a Community Residential Facility (CRF) for women who are leaving the Federal Institutions, as well as for women who are homeless and in need of shelter.  The Circle of Eagles Lodge Society opened Anderson Lodge Healing Centre for Sisters for homeless women in March of 2001.  It has been available to women in transition since.

Description

On April 1st, 2004, the Circle of Eagles Lodge Society entered into a contract with the Corrections Services Canada and it currently has eight (8) beds for women who are at some stage of involvement with the Correctional System, on Conditional Releases (day parole, full parole, statutory release, the Electronic Monitoring Program, probation or bail), and offers a structured, supportive environment for their reintegration into society.

The Anderson Lodge Healing Centre for Sisters as part of the Circle of Eagles Lodge Society, designs, delivers, coordinates and evaluates programs and services which support and provide a nurturing and safe environment that encourages positive changes for Indigenous women that need services and assistance in their healing journey; whilst maintaining culturally appropriate care.  It recognizes homelessness and accepts Homeless Indigenous women, including Indigenous women who are at imminent risk of homelessness, and chronically & episodically homeless women

The residence itself is in a beautifully renovated facility to provide a home-like atmosphere located in East Vancouver. There are ten individual rooms, two living rooms, a large kitchen and dining room, a common room for the Sisters, laundry facilities, and three washrooms.

Close by amenities

Public transportation is accessible (Skytrain and bus), close to community centres, library, post-secondary schools, including the Native Education Centre, Vancouver Aboriginal Friendship Centre, and Native Courtworkers.

Who is eligible to live there?

Referrals are accepted from correctional institutions, alcohol and drug programs within institutions, the courts, and other resources.

Anderson Lodge Healing Centre for Women also accepts self-referrals for Indigenous Sisters who are at risk of being homeless or are currently homeless.  Contact can be made by phoning the Anderson Lodge Healing Centre for Women at (604) 874-1246.

How long can someone stay?

Length of stay ranges from a few days up to three years.  Provided conditions of release and residency are met, a resident may stay at Anderson Lodge Healing Centre for Women until she reaches her warrant expire date (WED), or until she feels ready to leave and has established another residence for herself in the community (whichever comes first).  Most women stay 4 – 6 months.

How does a Sister apply to live there?

Sisters serving sentences in any correctional institution may apply through their case managers or Circle of Eagles Lodge Society/Anderson Lodge staff members.  (REMEMBER:  It takes at least 6 to 8 weeks for a parole application to be processed and acceptance into Anderson Lodge Healing Centre for Women may be an important part of a parole application.  Try to begin your application for residence at Anderson Lodge Healing Centre for Women at least 8 weeks prior to the date you wish to appear before the Parole Board).  Application to reside at the residence begins with an interview by a staff member from the Anderson Lodge Healing Centre for Women.  This application is screened at the weekly New Westminster Parole Screening and at Sentence Management (if the application comes from BCCW), and you will be notified of the outcome as soon as possible.

Anderson Lodge house manager visits the Fraser Valley Institution every second Monday of the month for information session and interview.

Sisters who are looking for more information can contact staff via
telephone: (604) 874-1246,
fax: (604) 874- 9464 or
email:  Ida Joe IdaJ@coels.ca.

*Visiting may be effected due to the Covid-19 restrictions on entering the institutions.

 

When I am released, how do I get to Anderson Lodge Healing Centre for Sisters?

You are responsible for your own transportation to Anderson Lodge Healing Centre for Sisters.  If you are unable to find transportation, please let an Anderson Lodge Healing Centre for Women staff member know a few days in advance and we will try to assist.  We may be able to pick you up at the Airport, bus station or from the institution. On the day of your release, you must come directly to Anderson Lodge Healing Centre for Sisters unless you are required to report first to your Parole Officer.

Please call staff to confirm directions on how to find the residence if you’re not sure where it is.

What happens when I first arrive?

The first 72 hours at Anderson Lodge Healing Centre for Women is spent in the lodge for orientation. Your first three days is to get you settled into your new home.  It will include a tour of the residence, some paperwork. The entire intake may take 1 – 2 hours and need not necessarily all be completed in one sitting. Your first three days will be spent getting to know the residence and staff.

What’s it like living at Anderson Lodge Healing Centre for Sisters

Anderson Lodge Healing Centre for Sisters is usually a busy place.  The Sisters are actively involved in the in-lodge programs and services and are actively involved in pursuing their own goals outside the lodge – working or looking for employment, attending school, meeting with other agencies or resources for counseling, therapy, or recreation.

At the same time, everyone who is living at Anderson Lodge Healing Centre for Women shares in the responsibility of its day-to-day operation.  We meet as a group every Friday morning to discuss house issues.  House rules and the purpose of the house rules are to ensure that the house is functioning smoothly and that everyones conditions of release are being met.

What types of programs are offered at the Anderson Lodge Healing Centre for Women?

Anderson Lodge currently offers the following programs and services, please note that some activities have changed to coincide with the BC Public Health pandemic protocol.

  • Life skills development
  • Elder Support – Social Distance, Face mask covering, and/or telephone
  • Step Recovery Program – (off site, can also participate on-line through the Zoom program)
  • Addictions Education – (off site, can also participate on-line through the Zoom program)
  • Encouraged to attend AA/NA Outside Meetings – (off site, can also participate on-line through the Zoom program)
  • Employment Program
  • Cultural & Traditional Teachings (Medicine Wheel)
  • Sweat Lodge ceremonies –
  • Native Arts & Crafts
  • One to one counseling
  • Cultural Wellness Worker – (staff work one to one with sisters in teaching them the Indigenous World View of healing)