Coquitlam addiction-recovery society opens fourth facility

I was happy to learn earlier today that Freshet News has published this story that I wrote on behalf of the Talitha Koum Society. Such great news--the publicity, of course, but moreso the opening of the home!

Tears of joy flowed on August 6 as the Talitha Koum Society celebrated the opening of its fourth addiction-recovery home in Coquitlam—Hope House, a “bridging home” for the society’s graduates and their young children.

“The home brings to life a key part of Talitha Koum’s vision to provide a full continuum of care for our clients,” Executive Director Odo Nkum

(pictured at right)told an invited gathering in the home’s living room. “It provides a stable space for mothers and their children to flourish.”

Nkum pointed out that Hope House parallels Talitha Koum’s third home, Redemption House, which also provides shelter and ongoing support for graduates, but only for those without children.

Talitha Koum (TK) rents both Hope and Redemption homes from private owners and then sublets rooms to graduates at affordable rates. TK also provides ongoing support for the graduates as they continue their education, begin jobs, and look for permanent housing.

TK also operates two addiction-recovery “program homes,” Starr House, which is supported by B.C. Housing, and Gianna House, which the society co-owns with the City of Coquitlam.

The pastor of Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in Coquitlam, Fr. Larry Lynn (picture at left), a former TK board member, blessed the house, and then participants took turns describing their connections with Talitha Koum.

Nicole Bitelli, of North Vancouver, said that all members of the Bitelli Family Foundation felt personally moved to provide ongoing financial support for the operation of both Hope and Redemption homes.

“We are so overjoyed to see this come to life,” Bitelli (pictured at left)

said. “It is so meaningful to be part of this project, so filled with God’s grace, that is helping women to transform their lives. We hope that our example encourages others to do the same.”

One of the home’s new residents, Erin, 34, of Surrey, thanked Talitha Koum for providing so much support for her and her four-year-old daughter. In an earlier interview, Erin said, “I feel like I fell through the cracks and was caught by Talitha Koum.”

Erin (pictured at right) added that not only has she found a new family with Talitha Koum, but she has also found employment as a mentor and support

worker, positions that allow her to share her first-hand knowledge about the recovery process as she guides clients on their recovery journey.

“Coming here to TK, it just blows my mind that I am here and I’m connected to women,” she said. “I have a job that I love. I have my daughter. I’m kind of speechless at how great TK is.”

Representing the City of Coquitlam, Acting Mayor Teri Towner said, “It truly means a lot to me to attend and to hear again, firsthand, the life-changing impact that the Talitha Koum Society is having on so many.”

After thanking the Bitelli Family Foundation, TK Society President Mary O’Neill also expressed her gratitude for CA Church of Coquitlam’s sustaining financial support of Hope House, and also for members of the St. Vincent de Paul Society at All Saints Parish of Coquitlam for their help in preparing the home for occupation.

“Opening Hope House in early July just days after we took possession is yet another minor miracle in the amazing, ongoing story of Talitha Koum,” said O’Neill.

The Talitha Koum Society is the Tri-Cities’ Chamber of Commerce’s 2026 Not-for-Profit of the Year. It is a federally registered charity whose mission is to nurture women with addictions to lead healthy and fulfilling lives. Its vision is to create a healthier world by empowering women to thrive in recovery.

Looking forward to new assignments

At the end of each year on Council, we decide among ourselves which Council members will sit on which committees and boards for the following year. Two of my long-time duties -- chair of the Coquitlam River Aggregate Advisory Committee and chair of the Evergreen Line Public Art Task Force -- have now ended because both bodies have completed their work, so I am looking forward to some new duties in 2017. Here's what I will be up to:
Metro Vancouver: New for 2017, I will be Mayor Richard Stewart's alternate on the Metro Board. I will also be a member of Metro's Performance and Audit Committee.
Culture Services Advisory Committee: I will continue to sit on the committee for the sixth consecutive year, but will be moving to the vice-chair position, with Councillor Towner taking over the chair.
Multiculturalism Advisory Committee: Continuing for third consecutive year as vice-chair, with Councillor Brent Asmundson continuing as chair.
Sustainability and Environmental Advisory Committee: A new responsibility for me, as I will be chairing the committee, with Councillor Chris Wilson as vice-chair.
Thanks to my Council colleagues for supporting me on the above!
As well, I will be continuing as the Mayor's Designate (City Rep) on the board of the Coquitlam Foundation.
Please click here to see the full list of committee, board, panel, partnership, roundtable, and task-group appointments.