Fire Incident at Keystone Residential Recovery

On Thursday, May 30, 2024, there was an oven fire in one of the participant suites that has required a full building evacuation, and all 24 clients have been housed safely in Salvation Army (Edmonton Centre of Hope facilities. It will be some time before the facility will be open to anyone.  As you can appreciate it is unsafe for entry or habitation.  The entire Residential Recovery Program will have a temporary home at our beautifully fully furnished Cornerstone Facility until all building remediation and repairs have been completed. All clients have been provided with ample new clothing, from under to outer wear as needed. Cupboards and freezers are full provided by The Salvation Army. The suites come with all required furnishings and household items, clients affected were provided towels, facecloths, necessary toiletries, gift cards, and thrift store vouchers where needed. Their immediate needs are all being met.  We also have a full compliment of our professional staff including Management, Client Care Supports, Addictions Counsellor, Social Worker, and Chaplaincy team available 24/7 for the ongoing emotional support that is required during such a difficult event.

Our Keystone Facility is home to our Residential Recovery Program for males/those who identify as male. We are grateful to the Govt. of Alberta who provides funding for 24 individuals to be in a residential recovery program to support them on their recovery journey. The participants in recovery pay no fees to be in this program, and there is a waitlist. It is shared apartment style accommodation; all required furnishings and household items are provided by The Salvation Army and all food is provided for participants as a part of being in the program. Individuals who are in this program are encouraged to bring as little as possible by way of clothing and personal items as it is a shared program space with a limited amount of time in the Program (this is not their permanent home).

It is hopeful that items that are salvageable from Client bedrooms will be removed and cleaned by end of day tomorrow by an external remediation company and returned to the program participants. Unfortunately, their soft items such as clothing is not salvageable. That favorite hoodie, or pants, or hat was a casualty of the impact of the fire.

We are grateful to our volunteers and donors who give freely to help us help others. Your donations made it possible for The Salvation Army to respond quickly, provide new clothing, food and provide furnished suites to those who in a desperate situation would have nowhere else to turn.

We covet your prayers during this time of transition for both the Keystone Recovery participants who are navigating a loss, and also for our Cornerstone participants who have received 24 new roommates in a very short time.

Thank you.