Nestled in a quiet, unassuming neighbourhood in Saanich, Jaymac Place houses a unique family that’s built on shared community, lived experience, and brotherhood.
“I’ve been clean and sober for a year and a half now, and have come a long way with the help of the staff at Our Place,” says Patrick Tatoosh, a recent graduate of New Roads Therapeutic Recovery Community and a resident at Jaymac Place. “My experience here has been really great.”
Tatoosh holds his darkest secrets close, and acknowledging his past is not something he wants to focus on anymore. He shares his story in broad strokes – growing up in the foster care system, finding himself in the criminal justice system, addicted and lost. Eventually his path led him to New Roads.
“Everyone at New Roads, and now Jaymac Place, has supported me through this process of recovery and healing,” says Tatoosh.
Funded through the generosity of three local families, Jaymac Place is inaugural second-stage transitional home in the community. Some residents came from incarceration, others from a hard life on the streets and struggling with severe addiction. All took the brave step to enroll in the intensive recovery program at New Roads in View Royal.
While their stories may vary, what they all have in common is a goal to work towards long-term sobriety, healthy minds and bodies, and a chance to move forward.
At Jaymac Place, residents work together to care for and maintain the home and yard. They also learn life skills: grocery shopping, cooking healthy meals, paying bills and rent. The minimum stay is six months but can be extended depending on the individual. The men also schedule daily or weekly meetings to structure tasks as well as attend regular group support session through Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous, or SMART Recovery.
During his year-long stay at New Roads, Tatoosh’s talent and passion for art was reignited. Now, with a supportive community surrounding him, he is beginning to take his love of art to another level.
Another requirement for living at Jaymac Place is that residents must be employed or taking educational programming. Tatoosh took advantage of the opportunities offered at another Our Place program, Our WorkPlace. There, he successfully completed the People In Progress (PIP) certificate. Participants in PIP receive six weeks of essential employability and occupational skills, four weeks of on-the-job work experience and two weeks of follow-up support to help in their job search process. It’s a program that worked for Tatoosh, and many other graduates. Since last November, 132 people were actively working with Our WorkPlace, and 66 have been employed.
“Patrick is a great example of the continuum of care we can provide,” says Cheryl Diebel, director of New Roads. “When he first arrived, he was in rough shape. But he’s been working hard and using all the supportive services that are here for him to find success. We’re very proud of him for coming full circle and finding his own path to a different life.”
Tatoosh is excited to see the next turn his life will take.
To make a donation to Our Place in support of people in recovery, visit , or call 250-940-5060.
