HISTORY

The Fraser Recovery Program (FRP) was unofficially introduced in the summer of 1990 and, since its inception, has been successful in helping people with their alcohol and/or drug addictions. The Program officially became a non-profit charitable corporation on September 12, 1996. The catalyst behind this initiative was Mr. Hugh Fraser, a former math teacher and assistant academic dean at CEGEP Champlain – St. Lawrence.

Until December 1998 the Program had been operating on an informal basis. The funding to operate the activities had come from private sources and had been minimal. There were no paid staff members and all moneys raised had served to supply the basic necessities to keep the Program’s main activities (the meetings in the city and the camp visits) operating.

What had become clear in the initial years of the Program’s operations was that only a small number of those who could benefit from the FRP were being reached, especially when it came to effective prevention and awareness promotion. Most of the youth who had gone through the Program up to that time could have benefited from an availability of information and a well-organized program in their high school years.

Given this reality and the ever-increasing use of drugs and alcohol by our youth, the volunteers involved in the FRP saw the pressing need to take the Program to another level. This involved creating a more formal structure to support the work of the Program and enable it to do the prevention and awareness work necessary in our schools on a regular basis.

As a result, on December 22, 1998 the FRP formed a new Board of Directors to see the organization through this evolution.

The Board defined the following as its main objectives:

• To stabilize the operations of the Program and ensure that proper support and back-up structures are in place.
• To put in place the appropriate structures that will enable the Program to become more involved in the prevention and awareness aspect of drug and alcohol addiction.
• To secure its own premises (Centre) for the twice-weekly meetings.
• To build up an endowment fund in order to achieve a degree of financial security, to help ensure long-term sustainability.

The first step in attaining these objectives was for the FRP to hire a Program Director to ensure the ongoing operations of the Camp and the Program activities already in place. He also collaborates with the English schools and CEGEPs in our community, as well as local health and social services providers. When requested, he is willing to offer information and advice, which they may use in planning their prevention and awareness activities. The director is also responsible for ensuring that proper back-up systems are in place so that the Program is not dependent on one person.

As a second step in attaining the objectives, a part-time psychologist (PhD psychology) and a counsellor (MA psychology) were hired to assist the Director with counselling and the awareness and prevention activities.

In November 2003, the FRP began renting at a reduced rate a house on the local English hospital grounds from the Jeffery Hale Foundation to use as a centre for its activities in the city. The house, known as “The Cottage” for its style and charm, is the present location of the twice-weekly group meetings, individual counselling sessions, parent meetings, and the study hall. Previously, the group meetings were held twice a week at the apartment of one of the former Board members, Mrs. Hazel Breakey.

The Program has benefited from ongoing funding from a local foundation. The program is also endeavouring to build up an endowment fund. The Board of Directors passed a resolution establishing an initial target of five million dollars for the fund.

The Board of Directors is actively involved in financial and strategic management

The present Board members are the following:
Jean Bourassa President                         Colbo Fence Quebec Ltee	Merrie Lynn Assh Director Saul Assh & Cie (1980) Ltee
David Cannon Vice President Corporate Affairs Immostar Inc.	Richard Morency President Morency Advisory Services Inc.
Fred Cribb President Cribtec Inc.	Neil Rourke Administration Officer (retired) Central Quebec School Board
Jo Dunkin-Rosenhek Vice-President Boutique Feejo Inc.	Robert Stewart (Chairman) Asst. Campus Director (Retired) CEGEP Champlain – St. Lawrence
Hugh Fraser Founder & Director Fraser Recovery Program