Mission Services of London has been granted $1.1 million from two benefactors to enhance its addiction recovery aftercare initiative and is urging residents of London to match the donation. The RBJ Schlegel Family Foundation has contributed $500,000, while an anonymous donor has added $600,000 to the cause. Rob Schlegel, whose grandfather Wilfred was instrumental in founding Mission Services 75 years ago, was present at Quintin Warner House to introduce the newly named Wilfred Schlegel Aftercare Program. Schlegel emphasized that the donation honors his grandfather’s commitment to assisting the local community.
“We are dedicated to fostering and fortifying community bonds,” Schlegel stated. “This initiative is a crucial element of that, and we are striving to carry on my grandfather’s legacy, marking another chapter of commemoration.”
Schlegel expressed hope that the second donation would inspire others to contribute, emphasizing the importance of community involvement in propelling the program to greater heights.
The aftercare program is based at Quintin Warner House and various other locations throughout London, providing a supportive environment for men who have completed addiction treatment and are reintegrating into society. Services include assistance with essential life skills like financial planning, nutrition, and employment search, as well as personalized treatment plans, crisis intervention, and relapse prevention support. Executive director Ericka Ayala Ronson highlighted the program’s role in creating a network of support for individuals navigating the challenges of recovery.
Ayala Ronson revealed that prior to the recent donations, some beds in the aftercare program had to be closed due to funding shortages. The infusion of new funds will enable Mission Services to reopen these beds and restore the program to its full capacity of 17. Additionally, the funding will facilitate the provision of enhanced staff support beyond regular operating hours.
While the program receives financial backing from Ontario’s Ministry of Health, Mission Services heavily relies on donations to sustain its operations.
Mission Services, along with the generous donors, is now calling on the people of London to match the $1.1 million grant. Ayala Ronson stressed the significance of leveraging the momentum generated by the donations to ensure continued assistance for individuals navigating the post-treatment transition, a period often fraught with challenges.
“Our city has a reputation for compassion,” Ayala Ronson remarked. “This generous community always steps up to help those in need, particularly men who are courageously embarking on a new path towards a fresh start.”