UGM Vancouver to open Women’s Recovery Centre in the Fraser Valley
FRASER VALLEY — As an established leader in the charitable and social services sector, Union Gospel Mission of Vancouver hopes to fill a vital need across the Fraser Valley by introducing an addiction recovery centre for women in a serene farm-like setting.
UGM announced Tuesday (June 18) that women will be able to access healing and recovery at a tranquil 57-acre property in South Langley, Cedar Haven Women’s Recovery Centre, starting July 1. The facility ties in with UGM’s proven trauma-informed recovery program, bolstered by rural amenities and open space.
Cedar Haven will feature an 11-bed recovery centre, a pottery studio, a gymnasium, and farm animals. It marks the first time UGM has provided its addiction recovery and stabilization program in a rural environment — but with its existing Vancouver and upcoming Victoria locations, UGM is leading the charge towards making women’s recovery more accessible, available, and empowering.
UGM is no stranger to empowering people on their journey towards recovery. It’s been feeding hope and changing the lives of men, women, youth, and children for more than 80 years. With 10 locations across Metro Vancouver, the Fraser Valley and Victoria, UGM offers emergency shelter, meals, outreach, career development counselling, education, safe and affordable housing, addiction recovery, and much more to those struggling with poverty, homelessness and addiction. According to its stated purpose on its website, the heart of UGM is to demonstrate God’s transforming love, ease the burden of those who are vulnerable, and come alongside people who feel cast aside.
“Having the power of choice matters to women’s care,” said UGM President Dean Kurpjuweit, “Recovery is a deeply personal journey, and women seeking support will now be able to find the setting that best suits their recovery needs through UGM: urban, suburban, or rural.”
The recovery centre venue was first owned by Wagner Hills, a peer service provider. In 2023, the Wagner Hills team felt led to focus on men’s recovery, and reached out to UGM to continue and develop the Women’s Recovery Centre. Cedar Haven represents the output of two organizations who are passionate about helping people recover and thrive, coming together, and making a bigger difference.
“We are immensely grateful for the opportunity to have served women in recovery at our Langley campus for the past decade,” said Wagner Hills Executive Director Jason Roberts, “As we refocus our efforts to fulfill our original mandate, we believe Union Gospel Mission is the ideal organization to seamlessly carry on the legacy of transformation and healing through the Cedar Haven Women’s Recovery Centre.”