If you look up—way up—in the gymnasium at the Bruce Oake Recovery Centre, you’ll see the rafters awash in Winnipeg Jets hockey jerseys emblazoned with many different names, but all with the same number: one.
The jerseys represent not only the heights each person in recovery has reached during their first year of sobriety—but also how brightly we all can shine when we are empowered to rise through our challenges and change our lives.
“It’s a real symbol of accomplishment,” says Executive Director Greg Kyllo.
With one person a day currently dying from overdose in Manitoba, the work of the Bruce Oake Recovery Centre is more important than it’s ever been to help our community heal.
The 16-week live-in men’s treatment program welcomes “anyone who’s having challenges with substances, is experiencing addiction, and is reaching out for help.” There are no financial barriers to enter the facility and begin a recovery journey.
“We are here to support and meet participants where they are at,” Kyllo says. “We believe that anyone should be able to access quality, long-term, residential care.”
“We know that addiction is a treatable medical condition, and we’re seeing successful treatment happen right here at Bruce Oake.”
Through funding from United Way Winnipeg donors, Bruce Oake created its Indigenous Addiction Healing Program—a project to support the more than 4 in 10 First Nations, Métis, and Inuit participants who come through the centre. A Traditional Counsellor acts as a role model and initiates peer sharing and teachings, like pipe ceremonies, treaty walks, and pow wows.
“Culture is intervention,” says Kyllo. “Because of United Way Winnipeg funding, we are able to deliver culturally safe and trauma-informed programming.”
Back in the gymnasium, Kyllo is reminded you only need to look up to see the incredible impact the centre has on the community—and on the people working hard to achieve their goals and experience the dawn of a new day.
Bruce Oake Recovery Centre has raised more than 100 Jets jerseys to the rafters since opening in Crestview in 2021.
“We know that addiction is a treatable medical condition,” Kyllo says, “and we’re seeing successful treatment happen right here at Bruce Oake.
