Where are your programs located?
Our live-in and day programs are located at 78 Admiral Road, approximately a 5 – 10 minute walk from the St. George Subway Station.
When you speak with an intake worker, they will give you exact directions.
How long is the program?
Our programs are between 6 – 10 weeks in length – our program structure allows you to decide what program length is best for your needs. After completing the intensive part of our programs, you can access aftercare counselling for up to 2 years.
What kind of substances do The Homestead’s programs treat?
We work with women with challenges relating to substance use; alcohol, prescription drugs, street drugs, inhalants. These addictions may co-exist with other issues including gambling, sexual addiction, eating disorders. While these other issues are not our areas of expertise, we will work with you to find the very best support available to help you address these difficulties as well.
What do I have to do to apply for one of your programs?
- Please call the intake worker
- For our downtown location, please call (416) 921-0953, between 9:00 am and 4:30 pm, Monday to Friday
How long will I have to wait to start treatment?
The Homestead is a continuous intake program. Once you have been assessed and have chosen to enter treatment, you will be placed on the waiting list. We ask that clients on the waiting list call every Wednesday to check in. This lets us know you are still interested in the program and keeps your name active on the list.
We will call you as soon as a bed is available for you, and you should be prepared to move in to the residence or to begin your day program with 2 to3 days-notice. Residential treatment usually has the longest waiting list, but if you are able to attend day treatment you can usually begin quickly. Please speak to the intake worker for more exact information about our current waiting list.
Do I have to go to withdrawal management before starting a Homestead program?
Acute early withdrawal can sometimes cause symptoms that make it difficult to focus on your treatment program, so The Homestead requires a negative urine screen upon admission into the live-in treatment program. The decision to attend a withdrawal management program before beginning treatment is a personal one, based on your own needs. We strongly recommend that you speak with the intake worker about your withdrawal management plan before starting treatment. On the day you enter treatment you will be tested for drug and alcohol use, and if the tests show use, you may be referred to withdrawal management support and asked to return to treatment at a later date, or depending on the circumstances your first week assessment period may be extended.
Can I attend The Homestead’s programs if I’m on methadone/suboxone therapy?
Yes you can. You will need to inform the intake worker, since drug screening is part of our programs. We will ask you to see our physician, who manages methadone/suboxone therapy for all of our live-in clients while in treatment. They will work with you to see that your therapy is uninterrupted, and available nearby while you are in residence with us. Once you have completed your stay with us, your methadone treatment can be referred back to your own doctor. Please speak with the intake worker for more information.
Do I have to take drug or alcohol tests while I’m at one of The Homestead’s programs?
Yes. We believe that healthy accountability is an important component in a recovery plan. Because we are an abstinence-based program, you will be required to participate in urine testing regularly throughout your program.
Is The Homestead’s program wheelchair accessible?
Yes, we are wheelchair accessible
Can I visit my family or friends while I’m in The Homestead’s live-in program? Am I allowed to go out at all?
Yes. We believe that the support of family and friends is important to all women in recovery. After your first week of treatment, you will be able to arrange to visit with family or friends at the residence, or, after your first week in residence, you will be able to arrange with your counsellor for outings to be with family or friends. We want you to have the opportunity to practice the new skills and strategies you are learning in treatment in real-world situations, while continuing to have the support of full-time treatment. As you progress through the program, you will qualify for overnight passes.
Can I attend The Homestead’s programs if I’m on bail, parole or probation?
In most cases we can accommodate you. Please speak with the intake worker about your particular legal requirements.
The Salvation Army is a Christian organization. Do I have to be a Christian to go to one of The Homestead’s programs?
The Homestead welcomes women of every faith background. We believe that a healthy spiritual life is critical to recovery. We are affiliated with The Salvation Army’s East Toronto Church, located near Woodbine and Danforth, and our clients are welcomed to attend this church for their first week or clients can attend their own church or faith community if they wish. Church attendance is not mandatory, but we encourage all of our clients, in live-in or day treatment, to make their spiritual life a priority. We have a chaplain on site, who conducts regular spiritual care services, including spiritual orientation, recovery focused reflections, multi-faith chapel services, other spiritual observances on request, and individual spiritual counselling by appointment.
Can I attend The Homestead’s programs if I have other health problems?
Yes. We want to work with you as an individual, and whenever possible to accommodate your needs. The only conditions are that you are medically stable and able to participate actively in the program you’ve chosen. We have an excellent primary care physician who visits our downtown site weekly. If you have any medical needs while attending the program, you can see them on request. If we are not sure that, because of a health condition, you will be able to manage a full time program, we may request a medical clearance before admitting you to treatment. This applies to both physical and mental health issues.
Can I attend The Homestead’s programs if I need to take prescription medications?
In most cases, yes. Prescription medications are an important part of the treatment for many physical and mental illnesses. Most of them are safe to take within the context of a treatment program. There are, however, a few exceptions. Please discuss your medical situation with the intake worker, and they will be able to advise you.
Can The Homestead’s live-in program accommodate my special dietary needs?
We do our best to accommodate the dietary needs of all our clients. Please advise the intake worker at intake if there are any special accommodations that you require.
Do I need to pay for anything at The Homestead’s programs?
Virtually everything you need is covered at all of The Homestead’s programs. Because we are funded by the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long Term Care, any woman with an Ontario Health Card can attend our programs without fees. In our live-in program, your food, accommodation and laundry are all made available without charge. You may want to have some spending money while you are in residence, for treats, outings or phone calls. If your supporters live outside the Toronto area, you may want to purchase a long distance card so that you can keep in touch. The Homestead does not provide long distance service for personal calls. While we keep an emergency supply of toiletries and personal care items, you will probably want to bring your own, and you may need to replenish some items while you are in residence.
Can I attend The Homestead’s programs if I’m pregnant?
Absolutely! We want to encourage you to attend treatment if you are pregnant. As long as you are medically stable, we are happy to work with you in residential or day treatment. Please contact us to speak with the intake worker.
Can I attend a Homestead program if I have language or reading problems?
Yes, if you can understand and speak English. If reading and/or writing is a problem, we can accommodate you. We try to work in a wide variety of learning styles, so that there is something for everyone! Please let the intake worker know about any special learning needs that you have.
Will The Homestead protect my privacy and confidentiality?
Yes! We are governed by the Ontario Personal Health Information Protection Act, as well as our own Salvation Army policies on confidentiality and privacy. We work very hard to protect your privacy before, during, and after your treatment with us. The intake worker will provide you with a copy of our privacy policy, and will explain to you the ways that we work to provide a safe and confidential environment for all of our clients.
I am a MTF transgendered woman. Can I come to The Homestead’s programs?
Yes. If you self-identify as a woman, you are welcome at The Homestead.
I am a lesbian woman. Can I come to The Homestead’s programs?
Yes. Sexual orientation is no barrier to participation in any Homestead program.
I have young children. Is there any provision for child care at The Homestead?
At this time unfortunately we do not have child care provisions at The Homestead. Please speak to the intake worker if you have concerns about child care while you are in treatment. We will do our best to assist you with this issue.
Can I have CAS supervised visits at any of The Homestead’s program?
Yes, as long as it is prearranged with your counsellor, CAS visits may take place at the Homestead. We do limit visits to one area of the building though.
Is there support available to me after I finish The Homestead’s program?
Yes. We consider aftercare a very important component of treatment. You can access relapse prevention and alumni aftercare groups as well as individual counselling for up to two years after your intensive treatment is completed. You are also more than welcome to call The Homestead’s downtown site day or night, seven days a week if you need support, encouragement or referrals.
Can I attend the Homestead if I’m a smoker?
Yes, smokers are welcome, however, smoking is only permitted off property at specific times during the day. In order to ensure the safety of all clients, all smoking materials (cigarettes, matches, lighters) must be left in a secure locker while in the building. Smoking breaks may be taken during program at designated times each day. The Homestead will also provide nicotine replacement therapy, gum or patches up to the recommended number daily to clients who are trying to cut down on their smoking. Please speak to an intake worker for more information.