Mission Services of London has received a donation of $1.1 million from two donors to strengthen its addiction recovery aftercare program.

The RBJ Schlegel Family Foundation donated $500,000, while $600,000 came from an anonymous donor. The program has been renamed the Wilfred Schlegel Aftercare Program. Mission Services is now asking the London community to help match the $1.1 million donation as the organization works toward supporting more people in their recovery from addiction.

The aftercare program offered by Mission Services helps men who have completed addiction treatment adjust to life in the community. Operating through the Quintin Warner House and other locations in London, the program offers support with budgeting, nutrition, finding a job, personal treatment plans, crisis situations, and preventing relapse. It also gives participants a supportive group of people who understand that recovery is an ongoing journey.

Before the recent donations, Mission Services had closed some beds because of a lack of funding. The donations will allow Mission Services to reopen those beds and return to a total of 17, while also providing more staff support outside regular business hours. The program receives funding from Ontario’s Ministry of Health but also depends on donations to offer services.

Mission Services of London Executive Director Ericka Ayala Ronson shared that London is a caring community and believes people will want to help their neighbours who are working hard to recover, make positive changes, and build a fresh start.

Source: Jack Sutton, CBC