Thursday, March 28, 2024

Former Woodwynn Farms volunteer pens open letter to Premier John Horgan

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Last week, residents at the Woodwynn Farms rehabilitation facility woke up to see “No Occupancy” signs posted on their doors.

The 78-hectare Woodwynn Farms prepares homeless people for life off of the streets and currently houses six residents.

Upon hearing about its imminent closure, community members from Central Saanich and surrounding municipalities were outraged.

According to a Times Colonist report, Central Saanich Mayor Ryan Windsor has also recused himself from discussions about the farm’s future after it was revealed that he is providing shelter to a friend in a bus parked on his property.

One woman’s response

Michelle Beaubien, a former volunteer at Woodwynn Farms was so moved by the imminent closure of the facility, that she decided to write a heartfelt, descriptive open letter to the B.C. Premier John Horgan.

In it, she has chronicled the current situation in explicit detail and appealed to the provincial government to “take action”.

Read the full contents of the letter below:

“Dear Premier:
In light of the provincial overdose crisis, it has become apparent that our current rehabilitation system is failing British Columbians. While many harm-reduction initiatives – such as fentanyl strip-testing and naloxone kits – have been put into place, the BC Coroners Service reports that there has been a record number of illicit drug overdoses between January and October this year: 1,208 lives were lost to the illness of addiction. We now live in a province where it is unusual to meet somebody who has not been affected by addictions and overdoses in some way. Conversely, addiction is still highly stigmatized, and long-term treatment options are not readily available for those that seek them. Even worse, effective programs are inhibited by a lack of support from the very communities that need them more than ever. Woodwynn Farms, a therapeutic rehabilitation community in Saanich, BC, is a valuable program that we risk losing due to stigma and lack of support.

Just a few days ago, residents of Woodwynn Farms woke up to “NO OCCUPANCY” notices on their doors. The District of Central Saanich has ordered participants to be evicted over concerns that housing on the property is unsafe. A recent application to build permanent and stable housing on the farm was denied by the Agricultural Land Commission (ALC)  on the grounds that “…the social benefits of the proposal do not outweigh the priority given to agriculture.” When one considers the ALC’s recent approval of a shopping mall building permit on farmland in the same municipality, the premise of Woodwynn’s denied application becomes questionable.

In 2016 I was a volunteer at Woodwynn Farms. For one year I taught trauma-sensitive yoga classes to participants on Saturday mornings, and then helped out with farm chores in the afternoons. My involvement in various aspects of the program showed me how each activity contributed to the development of a healthy lifestyle: 

·         the mindfulness and discipline of a morning yoga practice, 

·         collaboration, teamwork, and leadership involved in farming,

·         comradery and friendships strengthened around shared meals. 

This program has a profound effects on its participants – not just physically, but emotionally as well. Providing a source of organic food to the residents of Central Saanich establishes a unique relationship to the community that a participant may not have previously felt. The newfound confidence is almost tangible. 

At Woodwynn Farms, I was witnessing people regaining control of their lives.

I now work in Vancouver as a 911 Calltaker and paramedic student. In the city I see a stark contrast to the peacefulness and healing that is found at Woodwynn. Working on the front lines, I come into contact with people who overdose multiple times in a week. While many lives are saved with naloxone intervention, not everybody can be revived in time. It is clear that, to remove people from the vicious cycle of relapse and overdose, more support needs to be put into long-term treatment options like Woodwynn Farms.

Since its inception 8 years ago, Woodwynn Farms has been subject to a “not in my backyard” mentality. This attitude, founded on stigma and fear, tears apart communities and delays positive change. British Columbia has reached a point where we can no longer afford to wait for attitudes to change. Parents, children, and loved ones continue to die in devastating numbers. Our leaders have the power to support Woodwynn Farms in this time of need. 

To do nothing will fail the participants and volunteers of Woodwynn Farms. 
To do nothing will fail the community of Central Saanich. 
To do nothing will fail a province in crisis, and all of its residents.
Premier Horgan: it is time to take action.
With sincere regards,
Michelle Beaubien”

 

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Brishti Basu
Former Senior Staff Writer and Content Manager at Victoria Buzz.

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