Pearl Lorentzen
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Lakeside Leader
Slave Lake council are excited about the possibility of a recovery centre in Slave Lake. "It's a wonderful service to have in the community," said Mayor Francesca Ward, at the Sept. 2, 2025 council meeting to Chris Noftall and Rev. Bruce Clark Rising Above Slave Lake. Noftall is the executive director and Clark the head chaplain of Rising Above Slave Lake, which is working to start a sober-living, six-month faith-based residential recovery program, based on one out of Grande Prairie. This is not a homeless shelter, said Noftall. It is not a safe use site. It is not detox. Clients have to be sober throughout their time at the residence and will have random drug and alcohol tests. The centre has two parts a residence and an office. The program focuses on case management, life-skills, and inner healing. "We want to work with all the resources in the community," said Noftall. Council was in favour of the recovery centre. Mayor Ward had met with the two earlier and encouraged them to present to council to help get the word out to the community about the ministry. She also mentioned that they are working with the planning department on any possible zoning issues. Poundmakers has a men's recovery transition house in Slave Lake, said Ward, adding it "has seen a ton of success." "I personally think it is a great idea," she added. Councillor Kimberly Hughes agreed, but asked if the program will be based on something that has worked in other places. Yes, said Clark. Rising Above was established in Grande Prairie in 2007. Since then, it has perfected the program and is expanding across Canada, with a focus on northern Alberta. Rising Above Slave Lake has access to the program. "It's almost like a franchise," he added. The Slave Lake branch has access to documents from the established organization and just has to tweak it to make it fit for Slave Lake. "I really love the life-skills aspect," said Hughes. Hughes was also in favour of the program being six months. "It sets people up very well," she said. Rising Above gave council pamphlets. The back of the pamphlet has information on sponsorship, said Hughes. Has Rising Above looked at grants? she asked. Noftall said they are looking at a housing grant and for donations from the community. The word is getting around, added Hughes. She was out for dinner, and someone came up to her and asked if she'd heard about the new group working to build a recovery centre. "Any social issue needs communal help to solve ...," said Councillor Andrew Achoba. "Definitely this is welcome." Many of the people in the community are Indigenous, said Achoba. How does the program connect with Indigenous culture? Anyone is welcome, said Noftall. Screening is done to make sure people are a good match with the program. "Regardless of their background," he added, "the goal is the same." Rising Above in Grande Prairie has relationships with several reserves, said Clark, including ones in the Lesser Slave Lake area. Hopefully, they will send their members to the one in Slave Lake. However, Clark added, "we are one option, not the only option." Achoba asked about the screening criteria. The screening is quite lengthy, said Noftall. Part of it is to make sure that people are able to complete the program, such as attend classes on time, volunteer in the community, and live with their fellow clients. They live in a home and do their own cooking and cleaning, with minimal supervision. The only hard and fast rule is that they have to be drug or alcohol free for seven days before entering, added Clark. Achoba asked how many people Rising Above hopes to house. The plan is to start small, said Clark. Either one house with five people, or if they are able to purchase and renovate the location they are looking at, up to 20 people, half men and half women. However, to start with there would be fewer clients, as the renovations would take six to 10 months.
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