Speaking with Coast Reporter on May 20, the day he marked 30 days sober, Tyler Cater said he is ready to bring his best to a live music fundraiser for the Coastal Recovery Community (CRC) on May 28. The all-ages event is set to run 6 to 10 p.m. at the Roberts Creek Community Hall. As of May 25, there were a few tickets still available for purchase on Eventbrite.com.
The CRC is dedicated to dealing with the root cause of substance addiction using abstinence-based principles for individuals. Earlier this year, it opened a residential treatment facility for up to five male clients at 624 Farnham Road in Gibsons.
Cater said he was fortunate to be able to get a spot at that facility to support his recovery from dependence on alcohol and drugs. To “pay it forward”, the 29-year-old professional DJ put his skills as a performer and an event organizer to work, with a goal of raising $10,000 to help with the expenses facing the Coast’s only residential addictions treatment facility.
A week before the event date, more than $5,000 had already come in. In relation to his goal, Cater said, “It’s pretty attainable, I think we are going to hit it and the community needs this.”
“My biggest fear doing it was the whole sober part, not having any liquor or anything.” He faced that fear and was overwhelmed by the level of support for his initiative.
“The community came out and completely supported me. They had my back and started donating as much as they could. I think my expenses at the end were about $300 so that’s pretty impressive.” Other local sober artists Goatzart and Alban Arthan stepped up to round out the performance program. The CRC has obtained a licence for a 50/50 draw and there will be barbeque food items and refreshment items available for purchase at the show, donated by a local business owner.
Where the funds will go
For CRC spokesperson TJ Sheehan the need for funding to pay the bills at the facility is huge. CRC recently acquired a van for client transportation but have found that the costs of financing, maintaining and operating the vehicle almost overwhelming. A former substance user, Sheehan said his approach is to “keep things day to day," concentrating on what needs to be done to maintain the existing operation.
“One of the biggest challenges for us is the cost of food. Six guys (Sheehan and five clients) eat a lot of food, and because we are trying to keep a focus on getting healthy, we buy healthy food, which costs more.”
Three of the five current residential clients are Coast locals, and two hail from off-Coast. Sheehan stated the facility has a full wait-list of 15 applicants. While he cannot accept additional applications at this time, he works with those who reach out to him seeking treatment, making referrals to other facilities that may be able to help.
Expansion plans despite regulatory challenges
Sheehan’s plan for CRC, moving forward, is to establish a therapeutic community on a rural property on the Coast where clients could grow some of their own food and benefit from a healthy lifestyle. In the more immediate future, he would like to secure a second residence to provide residential treatment for women. He would also like to set up a second-stage recovery house, where the current male clients could transition to after their initial 30, 60 or 90-day treatment programs are over.
He readily admits that Town of Gibsons approval for residential treatment services at CRC’s Farnham Road location is not in place. The lack of a letter from the municipality confirming that the operation is in compliance with local bylaws has stalled CRC’s B.C. assisted living facility licence application. Without that licence, CRC cannot accept clients seeking treatment that would be paid for by the province. Sheehan said it also has a negative impact on grant applications.
Town director of planning, Lesley-Anne Staats told Coast Reporter by email “They [CRC] do have a business licence for consultant services to include counselling, recovery coaching and other educational day programs such as anger management …Overnight accommodation is not permitted for the facility as it is not zoned for that use. A rezoning would be required to allow residents to stay overnight, and building upgrades are required to ensure the safety of the residents in the building. These requirements have been communicated to them. The Town has not received any planning/building permit applications to allow the use on the property or to upgrade the building.”
Staying strong and giving back
Sheehan said the facility has not been ticketed for zoning violations. He hopes that continues and the facility residents work to maintain positive relationships with their neighbours and the community at large. Along with conducting litter pick-up patrols, the group volunteered and made improvements to a local youth centre, rehabilitating it after a rodent infestation.
They also worked with another community support group Computers for Kindness to obtain a new computer for the centre. Cater reached out to his contacts and secured the donation of a music software program valued at about $1,000 for the centre.
While he works to help the CRC, the volunteering and fundraising processes are benefiting Cater in his journey to rebuild his life. “This is something I am good at. It is what I love, it keeps me balanced. It’s all about finding yourself.”
