ST. ANTHONY, NL – The Noels are expecting government funding to help out their addictions support group in a big way.
The New Horizons Support Group they have been hosting is receiving $2,900, announced April 19.
It was part of John Haggie’s, Minister of Health and Community Services, announcement of mental health and addictions support to community-based organizations. The Noels’ non-profit support group serves St. Anthony and surrounding areas.
Since January, every Thursday, Trevor and Nista Noel have been organizing and hosting weekly meetings for individuals with addictions. They told the Northern Pen this past December it is for those who are seeking to recover or are currently recovering from addictions. The group is open to anyone who has an identified dependency, whether it is on drugs, alcohol, cigarettes or any other substance or behaviour.
After the funding announcement, Nista Noel told the Northern Pen she expects the new money to go “a long way” for them.
“It allows us the opportunity for growth,” she said.
When they submitted their proposal to government, she says they provided a list of 50 things they hoped to achieve.
Earlier story:
Creating a support network in St. Anthony
Now she’s hopeful they will be able to do some of those things with these funds, including get guest speakers, provide tokens of achievement for attendees as they celebrate and mark each milestone in their recovery, and promote awareness of the group by posting more posters around town and in surrounding communities.
“That amount of money is going to go a long way for us, because right now we’re just developing who we are at the core,” said Noel.
In the meantime, she says they have been exploring more partnership opportunities, and volunteers have reached out to help. The Humberwood Treatment Centre in Corner Brook has also been in touch.
“Which is good for people who have gone to a treatment program and want to maintain and manage what they’ve already started,” said Noel.
She says even though some weeks no one may show up, they are always there for people every week in case someone does.
“We’re slowly growing in number and we’re slowly growing in awareness,” she said. “And we’re getting the support of the community.”
If anyone wishes to attend a meeting, hosted every Thursday at 7 p.m. at the cafeteria in the College of the North Atlantic, they are invited to drop by, or the Noels can be contacted at 454-6062.
See also:
N.L. community groups and organizations receiving $150K for mental health and addictions projects
