BCYHHA

 219 Carnarvon Street, New Westminster, B.C. V3L 1B7

Phone: (604) 515-2950

Fax: (604) 515-1310

Executive Director: Andrew J. Boyd, I.C.A.D.C.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

The Genesis House Community Residential Facility and Programs Centre opened in July 2000 and provides comprehensive residential services, serves as a program delivery site for the Correctional Service of Canada’s core Living Skills and Substance Abuse programming and offers specialized programming for individuals impacted with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD).

Built in 1898, Genesis House is a heritage house located in residential New Westminster and is situated one block north of the Columbia Skytrain station. The facility has been fully renovated inside to include additional showers and bathrooms as well as a spacious television lounge area. The bedrooms have also been renovated and their floors have been restored to the original wood. The house features a room equipped with computer terminals that allow residents to improve their computer and word processing skills as well as to create resumes.

Operated by the Westcoast Genesis Society, Genesis House strives to actively promote the physical, psychological, emotional, and spiritual well-being of federal offenders on various types of conditional release. Genesis House is particularly accommodating to persons dealing with substance abuse issues. The facility provides a structured environment, specialized support and accepts residents on the Methadone Maintenance Treatment Program.

Genesis House is well served by public transportation, which provides quick and easy access to most locations in the Lower Mainland. The house is only a short distance from the Canada Games Pool and Fitness Centre and the Royal City Centre shopping mall. The New Westminster Parole Office is within walking distance of Genesis House.

A total of twenty-four residents can be accommodated at Genesis House in single, double, and triple occupancy rooms. The locked rooms are assigned in a way that maximizes resident harmony. Residents at Genesis House are provided shelter, meals, reasonable privacy, and access to both free telephone and laundry facilities.

ADMISSION PROCEDURE

Genesis House will consider residency for federal offenders on any type of conditional release, with the exception of sex offenders (result of direction from the City of New Westminster). Those who may wish to reside at Genesis House would be advised to make contact with the house, either by letter or telephone, and inform their Parole Officer of their intent. A toll-free number is provided for this purpose.

STAFF

There are seven permanent full-time staff at Genesis House, six part-time staff and two contract employees. All staff specialize in substance misuse issues, and many have extensive experience working within both alcohol and drug and correctional environments. Staff includes two internationally certified alcohol and drug counsellors, a certified clinical supervisor, a CRF Program Counselor, and counselling skills program graduates. Four staff persons are certified Correctional Program Delivery Officers capable of delivering the full series of the Correctional Service of Canada's core Living Skills and Substance Abuse programming, and a Substance Abuse Counselling Support Group is also facilitated weekly at Genesis House.

HOUSE RULES

Residents must not be actively involved in criminal activity or substance abuse.

Violence and/or threatening behavior will not be tolerated under any circumstances.

Staff are to be informed of any medication being taken by residents whether prescription or over the counter. All medication will be secured at the office and will be administered by staff.

Theft will not be tolerated. Residents caught stealing will not only have their residency terminated, but criminal charges may also be pursued.

Residents shall comply with all curfews:

Sunday through Thursday 11:00 PM
Friday and Saturday 12:30 AM

CSC's Regional Duty Officer will be notified in the event that a resident has not returned at curfew or has failed to check in as required.

Residents are not permitted to leave Genesis House before 7:00 AM unless permission has been granted by the Supervising Parole Officer.

Residents on Work Releases and UTA's will be subject to the established time schedule set up by their Parole Officer. The resident's in and out privileges will be governed by that schedule.

Residents are required to document their destinations in detail on a "Sign In/Out" sheet at the office prior to every departure from Genesis House.

Residents are required to make contact with the Genesis House office between 1:00-2:00 PM and 6:00-7:00 PM each day. This must be done whether the resident is in or out of the facility at that time.

Residents shall comply with the terms of their conditional release at all times. Genesis House will inform the resident’s Parole Officer and/or the Regional Duty Officer if there is a breach of terms or special condition(s) of their release. This may result in the suspension of parole and/or termination of residency.

Staff will regularly conduct room searches. These searches will be done in the presence of the resident when at all possible. Drug detection dogs will also be brought through the house periodically.

Visitors are permitted only during specific times and in designated areas. Visitors will be required to both sign in on arrival and sign out when departing.

As stipulated by Commissioner’s Directive, all residents who are employed are required to pay room and board. This amount will not exceed $100.00 per month. Residents will be assigned chores around the house as needed, and compliance will be monitored by staff.

Residents are responsible for the upkeep of their rooms. Rooms must be kept neat at all times.

Possession of cellular telephones and pagers must be approved by the resident’s Parole Officer. All cellular telephone and pager numbers must be recorded in both the Genesis House resident’s file and "Sign In/Out" sheet.

Motor vehicles: Permission is required from the resident’s Parole Officer before obtaining a motor vehicle. The make/model/license number and insurance papers must be presented to Genesis House staff. Residents are responsible for providing and updating all pertinent information concerning their vehicles. A motor vehicle that is not insured will not, under any circumstances, be allowed to be parked in the vicinity of Genesis House.

Travel permits are required if a resident intends to travel outside the restricted area (must be pre-authorized by the Supervising Parole Officer).

Only staff are permitted to open the front door when it is locked and alarmed.

Smoking is not allowed inside Genesis House. Alarmed doors will be opened three times throughout the night at 1:00 AM, 3:00 AM, and again at 5:00 AM to allow residents out on the veranda to smoke.

Each resident is allowed to have a maximum of six 2'x2' cubed boxes of personal effects. If a resident comes to Genesis House with more than the allotted six boxes, he will be asked to store some of his belongings elsewhere. Genesis House does not have the storage capacity to store resident effects. Residents can sign an agreement to have a family member come and pick up their belongings should they get suspended or go UAL. Anything that does not fit into a 2'x2' cube box will be donated to a charity (identified by the resident at intake).

Genesis House residents may be required to provide a urine sample at the request of their Parole Officer or Genesis House staff. Genesis House is a contracted urine sample collection site with the Correctional Service of Canada. Residents of Genesis House who have been issued a “Notice to Provide” must remain in the house until a urine sample has been provided.

PROGRAMS

Genesis House is a correctional program delivery site and offers the full series of CSC's core correctional Living Skills and Substance Abuse programming which includes:

CS-Reasoning and Rehabilitation Program

Anger and Emotions Management Program

Boosting Cognitive Skills Program

National Substance Abuse Program (NSAP)

Additionally, the Agency offers the following:

Substance Abuse Counselling Support Group Program

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) Program

Community Support Group Volunteer Program

LIVING ARRANGEMENTS

House Capacity:

24 beds.

Room Capacity:

2 triple occupancy bedrooms;

6 double occupancy bedrooms;

2 single occupancy bedrooms;

4 overflow occupancy beds.

Room and Board:

maximum of $100.00/month.

Meals:

Three meals a day are provided, snacks in the evening, and bagged lunches for working residents.

HOUSE AMENITIES

Telephone:

Free resident telephone available and access to facsimile.

Laundry:

Free use of on-site washers and dryers (laundry soap and fabric softener are available at minimal cost).

Kitchen:

Resident refrigerator, microwave and coffee station.

Bathroom:

4 toilets, 4 showers, 2 bathtubs.

Television:

Spacious television / lounge area.

Public Transit:

Columbia SkyTrain station located two blocks away and Bus Loop at New Westminster SkyTrain station..

HOUSE RULES AND POLICY

Curfew:

Sunday to Thursday 11:00 PM

Friday and Saturday 12:30 AM

Smoking:

No smoking allowed in Genesis House. There are designated smoking areas outside.

Visitors:

Visiting allowed, but limited to specific times and areas.

Security:

Sensor alarm system on all windows and doors.

Temporary Absences:

Work release, Escorted and Unescorted Temporary Absences accepted.

SERVICES

In House Programs:

Correctional Program Delivery Site

CS-Reasoning and Rehabilitation Program

Anger and Emotions Management Program

Boosting Cognitive Skills Program

National Substance Abuse Program (NSAP)

Substance Abuse Counselling Support Group Program

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) Program

Community Support Group Volunteer Program

In House Services:

Urine sample collection site.

Community Resources:

Close to the Royal City Shopping Center, Canada Games Pool and Fitness Centre, as well as walking distance from the New Westminster Parole Office and a variety of other community based employment resources.