Women’s only recovery centre coming to Winnipeg

A second Bruce Oake Recovery Centre is being built, but this recovery centre will be reserved for women. The facility will be in honour of Anne Oake who died in 2021.

Plans to open a new recovery centre for Manitobans battling addictions is now underway, but the focus of the new facility – named after the late Anne Oake – will be on women.

“The program is currently being written for the Anne Oake Family Recovery Centre with family very much a priority,” explained Scott Oake, opening women’s only addiction recovery centre in Winnipeg.

Sportscaster Scott Oake and his wife Anne started Bruce Oake Recovery Centre in 2021, a men’s only addictions treatment centre in memory of their late son, Bruce, who died in 2011 at the age of 25 due to an accidental drug overdose. Following Anne’s death two years ago, Scott — now fulfilling their goal of opening a centre in her honor.

“Anne was a driving force behind getting the Bruce Oake Recovery Centre built. Her spirit endures here and of course will endure at the Anne Oake Family Recovery Centre,” said Oake.

“Her spirit endures here and of course will endure at the Anne Oake Family Recovery Centre.”

The centre will offer long-term treatment, just like 50-bed Bruce Oake Recovery Centre. Oake says it will be similar in size and the opening year is yet to be determined. But there is a major component to this facility.

“It will also accommodate their children because a lot of women are reluctant to go into recovery for fear they will lose their kids, so it must have a significant daycare component. We want women to have the same opportunity at long term recovery as the men get at Bruce Oake.”

Brandon Brown is an recovering alcoholic and entered the Bruce Oake Recovery Centre in April. He graduated the three-month program in July and will soon be marking six months of sobriety.

“It changed my lifestyle. I’m a better son. I’m a better brother now. I see my family more often now. I have a stable working job here. Life is great. I am happy,” said Brown.

Brown shares a simple message to those who are battling addiction right now.

“There’s always hope. There is always help. You just have to be willing and capable of reaching out. We are here.”

According to preliminary data from Manitoba’s Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, 418 Manitobans died from drug-related deaths in 2022 – that number slightly down from 2021 when 432 people died. Leading up to the election, Willis is calling on the candidates to make this issue a top priority.

Marion Willis, the founder of St. Boniface Street Links in Winnipeg says the addictions situation in Manitoba is worsening – and says the announcement of this new women’s recovery centre is crucial.

“It comes at a time when it’s very much needed and I really hope the public philanthropy, everybody out there, will support them in their undertaking,” explained Willis.