“Before I went to Portage, I felt alone”

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I used to feel like I was born to be an addict. My biological mother drank and took heroine while she was pregnant with my twin brother and me. And addiction runs deep in my biological family. My parents, who adopted me when I was born, told me I would be more susceptible to addiction… Read more »

21st edition of Portage Games: from sports competition to gathering

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August 8, 2019 marked the opening of the Portage Games at the Saint-Malachie Adolescent Rehabilitation Centre. Year after year, this friendly sport competition brings together teenagers and counsellors from all of Portage addiction rehabilitation centres. This is a small event at Portage and each year, young residents from centres in Ontario, Quebec and Atlantic Regions… Read more »

Residents saddle up for Therapeutic Horseback Riding!

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This summer, Horse Therapy sessions were implemented into the schedule for youth in residence at Cassidy Lake. This initiative comes from Amber Parlee, a clinical staff member, who wanted to share her great love of horses with Portage Atlantic youth and the many benefits these majestic creatures transfer to young people. Amber, who owns horses… Read more »

Pursuing a Passion for Music at the Portage Lac Écho Centre

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This year more than ever, the young residents of the Lac Écho Centre were able to make the most of their musical talent. For ten years now, the Simple Plan Foundation has supported Portage through funding to purchase musical instruments. With the help of teacher Lauren Bélec, and thanks to Sjmple Plan’s support, the Lac… Read more »

Graduation Ceremony of Montreal English-speaking Adolescents

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On June 19, Portage celebrated four of its Montreal English-speaking program residents (West Island) for their success during the school year. To many, the Graduation Ceremony is like the icing on the cake; a consecration, a reward for all the efforts made, a window on the future. This crucial moment in the life of our… Read more »

Vernissage and Scholarship Awards at Portage Saint-Malachie

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On Wednesday, June 19, 2019, the Portage Drug Rehabilitation Centre at Saint-Malachie hosted a vernissage to mark the end of the school year and the awarding of five scholarships that were presented to the students by Stéphanie Lachance, Member of the National Assembly.  The young residents of the Portage Saint-Malachie Centre, located one hour from… Read more »

Table du Chef – Fairmont The Queen Elizabeth

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Combining philanthropy and culinary expertise, the Table du Chef at the Fairmont The Queen Elizabeth was once again a resounding success this year. The team of chefs for this event was comprised of Baptiste Peupion (Executive Chef of the hotel), Jean-Marc Guillot (Executive Pastry Chef and recipient of the Meilleur ouvrier de France Award) and… Read more »

Portage Art Workshops

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For many years now, Portage has made art workshops available to the residents of its rehabilitation centres. The workshops promote creative freedom in a non-judgmental environment. I recently met with Catherine, who teaches art at the MICA Centre, to discuss their impact. A pause in the therapeutic process Portage’s Mentally Ill Chemical Abusers (MICA) program… Read more »

Giving Back with the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award

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Portage in Ontario is delighted to partner with the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award for the first time. In Portage’s substance abuse rehabilitation centres for adolescents, youth work on their strengths, their self-discovery, they integrate physical activity into their routine, learn to give back to the community and definitely discover who they are. Bottom line, it… Read more »

Portage youth take on their professional flight!

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Promote Awareness with Young People About Employment In the spring of 2019, the team at the Portage residential centre in Lac Écho was able to successfully complete two partnerships intended to help young people at the centre. Portage first partnered with Carrefour Jeunesse-Emploi Rivière-du-Nord to implement a guidance program allowing about fifteen residents aged between… Read more »