The Centre...

Kackaamin Family Development Centre

("Kackaamin" meaning "Butterfly" is pronounced "cots common")

We are delighted to welcome you to our new Port Alberni facility. Each family resides in fully a furnished housing unit for our six week session. Each unit is autonomous and complete with a living area, full kitchen and dining area, bedrooms and bathrooms. The kitchen is equipped with pots, pans, dishes and utensils for your family.

The Learning Centre is located on site and adjacent to the adult program building. The children and youth attend school from K - 12 while at the Centre. Your child’s academic needs will be overseen by our full time Teacher that belongs to School District 70. We ask that your children bring all English and Mathematics material from their respective schools. Your children will have the opportunity to see our Child and Youth Clinical Therapist during the session. The Learning Centre’s approach consists of many elements all rooted in the “Virtues project” wherein your child’s inner talents and strengths are named and developed throughout the session.

Our Toddler Centre Daycare is a nurturing and safe place for newborns and toddlers up to the age of five. The children participate in a variety of play activities that have therapeutic and gentle teachings such as aboriginal drumming and art therapy. We recognize that our toddlers will one day be our elders and we nurture any talents that they possess and welcome what they each have to show us about themselves.

Physical activity is a part of recovery that is important from a holistic perspective. On the Kackaamin property is a large gymnasium that lends itself to our physical activity component in the program. The gymnasium allows for many different sporting activities that promote physical wellness and community interaction. It also doubles as our meeting place for our weekly community dinners that all of our client families attend.

There are male, female, youth and family sweats throughout the session. They are hosted on campus and are facilitated by our Cultural / Spiritual Coordinator. This gentle and safe place has been likened to the womb of our mother wherein much self discovery and gratitude can be found. All clients are encouraged to participate in the spiritual healing and awakening that is available in the Sweat Lodge.

Every Friday evening is a scheduled movie night at Kackaamin. Our video library contains a variety of family oriented selections that are geared to all ages. Kackaamin Staff prescreen all material and deem the appropriate movie choice for each week. Clients are asked to leave their videos from their personal libraries at home.

Continuing with a holistic and cultural approach, each Sunday afternoon Kackaamin client families participate in a Pot Luck dinner that is organized and hosted by the clients. All of the families gather to celebrate and build on their community relationships.

It is our belief that through the insertion of a 12 step support program that recovery is far more likely. There are two scheduled AA meetings weekly. One is hosted onsite at Kackaamin and one is off campus in the town of Port Alberni. All adult clients attend these on a rotating schedule that allows for childcare to be possible. Clients make meaningful connections that create a more sustainable recovery. The life skills learned in the 12 step programs through peer support are part of the foundation that is laid during our session.

Once each week, Kackaamin staff will transport two members of your family to the grocery store to shop for your groceries.

Our celebration of completion is held on the last day of the session. Guests are encouraged to attend. Kackaamin has special guidelines for our guests to follow while on site. Please contact reception for further information.

Kackaamin has a house phone that all clients may use during specified times. The session starts with a two week “no-contact” period. We ask that clients bring calling cards for long distance communication.

We understand that parenting when clients are in active addiction can be difficult. At Kackaamin parents are responsible for the care and behavior of their children at all times. Our staff will assist in your development as a parent and support your growth while you are here.

At Kackaamin we are proud to be a smoke free environment. All buildings and entranceways are subject to the provincial smoking bylaws. Please smoke outside and away from all doorways and windows of all buildings.

We strive to provide you with the highest quality of care at Kackaamin. If you require any kind of medical attention during the session we will be happy to provide transportation for you to and from your Doctor appointments. All appointments are to be arranged with your counsellor as some special guidelines do apply.

Kackaamin has created a program for your family that lays a solid foundation when you arrive and builds on it throughout the session. We encourage our clients to participate in all sessions and activities. Our schedule has been developed to allow you to grow closer to your family and create lasting bonds that will continue to strengthen even after you depart. Our staff will instruct you about the timetable of events as they come and we ask that you are trustworthy in your punctuality.

Kackaamin is a wheelchair accessible facility that has two family units that are allocated for our clients with accessibility needs.