Yes, I would like to support LIFE Recovery Association in helping women overcome addictions

I would like to give a monthly donation:

$25 $50 $100 $250 Other

I would like to make a one time donation:

$

Donations also accepted online or by phone:

www.liferecovery.ca | 604.855.4440

Method of payment:

Direct Debit (for monthly donations) Please deduct $ on the 1st or 15th of every month by Direct Debit from my bank account (please include a void cheque)

Credit Card Visa Mastercard

Name on Card

Card # Expires

Signature

Cheque MONTHLY: Enclosed are post-dated cheques each for $

ONE TIME: Enclosed is a cheque for $

A receipt for income tax purposes will be mailed after the end of the year for donations of $15 or more.

OUR MISSION is to help others grow and

believe in Jesus Christ, allowing Him to take an

active part in their recovery from substance addiction.

OUR BELIEF is that the inspired word of God must be our fundamental source

and inspiration in the profes-sional counselling, treatment

and rehabilitation process. Above all, we believe that

love and compassion should be at the heart of a Biblical

based ministry.

OUR GOAL is to be a safe, structured and

supportive environment for women who desire freedom

from their substance abusing lifestyle.

For more information please contact us at:

T: 604.855.4440 F: 604.855.6744

admin@liferecovery.ca

LIFE Recovery is a registered non-profit society

www.liferecovery.ca

2 0 1 3 U P D A T E

ThRIFT STOREWe are blessed by a wonderful group of people that volunteer at our Thrift Store, LIFE’s Second Chance. The revenue from the store supports the operations of LIFE Recovery Home and it is great to work with such a caring group of people. Marian our Thrift Store Manager coordinates the volunteers. If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Marian on 604-854-5928.

Karl Zandberg celebrated his 80th birthday and we are so grateful for all Karl does at the store and Recovery House.

Our truck will pick up donations of furniture and items from estates. Please contact Bill Vantol on 604-854-5928.

NEWS & UPDATES

LIFE Recovery is now certified as an Assisted Living Residence for women with mental health and substance use issues. We recently went through this certification with the Ministry of Health and passed with flying colours.

We are also pleased to report that we have entered into a Collaborative Partnership with Christian Stewardship Services. Christian Stewardship Services actively works with Partner Charities in donor development and serves their supporters by encouraging Biblical stewardship through Planned Giving. Please consider LIFE Recovery Association when making your estate plans

LIFE Recovery has recently purchased an Alumni house for clients graduating from our main Recovery House. We believe this will increase our success rate and therefore provide much needed support to women transitioning into semi-independent living. Relapse is a common occurrence in addiction, as women have many barriers to overcome such as education, employment and poverty. Through this Alumni House we plan to address many of these challenges. Sometimes their family connections are very dysfunctional, with addiction being prevalent. Sending these women back too soon is not a good option. We desire to help them become strong, confident individuals who will make wise informed choices and grow strong in their recovery. This is why we believe that our Alumni House is vital in the City of Abbotsford.

- S P R I N G & S U M M E R -

He heals the broken-hearted,

therefore if anyone is IN CHRIST, he is a new creation, old things have passed away, behold all things have become new.

– 2 Corinthians 5:17

hOW CAN YOU SUPPORT LIFE RECOVERY ASSOCIATION?

GIFTS ThAT ImPACT NOWMonthly Donation

One Time Donation

Direct Debit ∙ Credit Card

Cheque ∙ Volunteer

You can be a part of the ministry of LIFE Recovery — to help women turn their lives around.

LEAVE A LEGACYA lasting way to support LIFE Recovery Association is through a Legacy gift. Christian Stewardship Services (CSS) can help you set this up with a free, no obligation, and confidential visit to discuss your options. To find out how you can become a Legacy supporter go to www.csservices.ca, email: admin@csservices.ca or phone: 1-800-267-8890 for information or to request a visit.

Newly Purchased Alumni House

FEATURE SUCCESS STORIES

I was born 46 years ago in a small Kootney town. My parents were heavy drinkers and my dad an addict. At 4 years old I was molested by my neighbor. My father was very abusive when he drank. One night he came home drunk, woke me up to put me on his knee in the kitchen. He loaded a shotgun and fired shots at my mum. By the grace of God my mother escaped un-hurt, but I was extremely traumatized by this event. The police showed up and 12 hours later we were getting a police escort out of the only place I had ever known. I remember the cop warning my mother that next time, my dad would kill us.

We moved to Vancouver and my mum started drinking a lot more. I was confused and a scared little girl. I was not allowed to say anything about what happened – keep it in the family I was told. My mom got a serious boyfriend when I was 10 years old. Every time they got drunk he would try to get into my bedroom to molest me. I would hear him coming and climb out of my bedroom window and hide in the back stairs. This went on for 1 ½ years. The last time it happened my mom caught him by the door. He told her I had been running out at night to party. I was only 11 years old. The next day I was taken to the Social Services office and was made a Ward of Court. I ran away from many foster homes and began using pot and drinking just to escape.

At 12 years old I was talked into becoming a dancer. This started my spiral into the dark world of drugs and crime. I was a dancer for 15 years.

I got pregnant at 27 and quit using for about 4 years. I thought my son was a God send and surely I would stay sober for him. I was wrong. I got pregnant again and had some years of sobri-ety, but not for long. I realize today that I was missing the most important part in my recovery – GOD.

I was taken into LIFE Recovery on December 24, 2012. A staff member came in on her day off so that I could start my journey back to sobriety. She prayed with me and told me everything would be OK. The staff are always loving and supporting me and today I am 4 months clean and sober. Most important – I have God back in my life, Staff told me He never left me and was by my side waiting for me to call to Him.

No words can say how grateful I am to LIFE Recovery – I am looking forward to graduating very soon and moving into the Alumni House. I believe God has made this clear that this is where I belong. I feel so supported, loved and valued. Thank you to LIFE Recovery for helping me to find God, stay sober and therefore saving my life!

www.liferecovery.ca

DESSERT NIGhT & FAShION ShOW

On April 9th we had our Annual Dessert Nite and this year we added the component of a fashion show. Our models were clients and alumni of LIFE Recovery as well as volunteers from our Thrift Store. We had help with the hair and makeup from Marie, Jaclyn, and Kara. They did an awesome job and the clients really felt special. Tish McInnis and Ann Raap did a marvelous job of coordinating the outfits and spent many hours beforehand with the models in preparation for the big night. Our fashion MC was Sheree Lister, who was also the lead singer with Tangerine Quartet who performed at the event. Marian Vanderwaal was a tremendous support to me in bringing the whole event together and as usual there were many volunteers that went above and beyond the call of duty, great teamwork. “Teamwork is the ability to work as a group toward a common vision, even if that vision becomes extremely blurry”.

Lyndsey and Serena shared their journey through addiction and many people were touched by their stories.

$5000 was raised and this will go towards refurbishing our Alumni House. Thank you for your support of this event and we would also like to thank the event sponsor Black Pearl Granite.

We would also like to thank John Poole for all his hard work in getting the Alumni House ready for occupancy. Great job John! E G Property Maintenance have also done a great job with the landscaping. Thank you.

FUNDRAISERS

Annual Golf TournamentOur Annual Golf Tournament planned and organized by BC Hatching Eggs will be on September 20th at Led-geview Golf Course. We want to thank Lori Gress for the work she has done over the years in taking care of the administration of this event. Lori has retired and we wish her a long and happy retirement.

Dinner Dance GalaOur annual Gala Dinner will be held on the Ramada on November 1st. Please save the date for this great event. More information to follow!

POEm BY ALUmNI OF LIFE RECOVERY

ChildhoodFeeling lonely but far from aloneSpending time with the beast in my own homeAs each year goes by one more takes flightLeaving the small one alone to fight for her life

PastTurn off and tune out, simple, scream, raging shoutA crocodile smile sits false on my mouthVulgar and course that’s what I’m aboutI’ll make you afraid so you just can’t seeThe hurt and the pain that is hidden in me.

NowI’m letting you in, soft steps, so go slowGentle and soft, getting to knowIt’s OK to feel pain, alright to be realTaking a chance, beginning to feelFormer self, the lies, not really meWho’s behind these brown eyes I’m just setting free.

FutureSoft, sweet and gentle, with a bit of an edgeWalking with God – Leap of faith from the ledge.Holding love truly in the palm of my handOpen heart, open mind – living the best that I can

RBC DAY OF CARING – APRIL 20Th

Thank you to Royal Bank for the great painting that was carried out by a caring group of employees from the bank. We are pleased with the work done on our bathrooms and for our lovely clean windows at our Recovery Home! We truly appreciate this kind gesture.

ExCLUSIVE ShOPPING PARTY & ACCESSORY SWAP – mAY 4Th

LIFE Recovery was selected as one of the beneficiaries of tickets sales of the above event at Sevenoaks Shopping Mall. Our thanks to Tricia Dumouchel, Marketing Director, Sevenoaks Shopping Centre and, Trish Neufeld, Marketing Coordinator, for helping organize this great event.

RED DAY – mAY 9Th

LIFE Recovery is grateful that Keller Williams Realty has chosen the new Alumni House as their community project for RED DAY. The Alumni house is going to be a hive of activity as a number of realtors from Keller Williams will descend upon it with paintbrushes in hand, as well as carrying out some landscaping and minor maintenance to the house. www.liferecovery.ca