Dear AARC Friends,
Many aspects of our organization are significantly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and we are truly grateful for those of you continuing to support AARC and doing your part to be safe. While the situation in Canada continues to evolve, AARC’s highest priority is, as usual, the safety of our clients.
Discharging our clients back to their families would present a serious risk, not only to themselves but to others in the community. At AARC, they are safe, but releasing them into the general public, especially in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, could put these vulnerable youth and those around them in danger.
As of March 23rd, 2020, AARC will temporarily be operating as a residential treatment centre, where the clients will be residing overnight. The Centre will be staffed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Recovery homes will be temporarily closed. Non-essential staff, visitors and alumni are asked not to visit the facility. Any graduations or group sessions taking place will be restricted to families in treatment. Aftercare and Al-Anon meetings are cancelled and the Al-anon Bookstore is closed.
While these changes are necessary to limit risk to our clients, they have resulted in unforeseen costs for AARC. Increased clinical staff, additional chef and LPN shifts, and the additional supplies required have resulted in an increased cost of approximately $5,500 per week.
Under normal circumstances, AARC’s real daily cost of treatment per client exceeds $300.00, but most families do not have the resources to pay the full cost of treatment. The average fee paid per day by AARC families over the past 12 months was $120.00 per day. Therefore, AARC has been responsible for bridging the gap of approximately $180.00 per day per family. In light of the current situation, that gap has widened.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, AARC’s annual Miracle Gala will not occur on May 6th. We are currently reviewing all options including postponing or cancelling the event and will send an update once a final decision has been reached. The loss of our largest fundraiser of the year at a critical time has dealt a devastating blow to AARC. In addition, we are unable to receive much of our usual support from the charitable organizations that we rely on to maintain operations, and donations have slowed due to economic hardship across the country.
We are doing everything we can to protect our clients, staff and families from COVID-19, while keeping the doors open for youth and families affected by the devastating disease of adolescent addiction. We ask you to please consider supporting AARC during this critical time. If you can help during this unprecedented emergency, please make your donation online at https://aarc.ab.ca/make-a-donation. Donations over the amount of $25.00 will receive a charitable tax receipt via e-mail. We are truly grateful for your support.
We recognize that these are challenging times, but we also recognize that treatment for the devastating disease of addiction cannot be halted. Please be assured that we are taking all precautions to protect our clients, staff and community. We will get through this – together.
Sincerely,
John Gordon, Board Chair Alberta Adolescent Recovery Centre
If you have any questions, please contact Anna Scott at 403-705-0217 or ascott@aarc.ab.ca
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