Pubdate: Mon, 08 Jul 2002
Source: Maple Ridge News (CN BC)
Copyright: 2002 Maple Ridge News
Contact:  http://www.mapleridgenews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1328
Author: Roxanne Hooper
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/women.htm (Women)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/rehab.htm (Treatment)

FAMILIES SHOP FOR SITE TO HOUSE DRUG REHAB CENTRE

Members of the new Missing Women's Trust Fund board were in Maple Ridge 
Thursday. They were window shopping.

They're looking for a home for a women's drug detox and rehabilitation 
centre, and took time out this week to visit the recently vacated Thornhill 
primary on 100 Avenue and 256 Street.

The MWTF group is made up mainly of family and friends of the missing 
women. They meet daily at a healing tent that was erected near the entrance 
of the Pickton farm - the site of a massive joint RCMP-Vancouver Police 
murder investigation.

And now, instead of focusing their joint efforts on fighting with the 
police to investigate the cases of missing women, many are concentrating on 
a province-wide education and prevention program and development of a 
residential women1s treatment centre, said Val Hughes, the new director of 
development for MWTF.

We had been at the healing tent, working on the quilts and talking about 
our storage needs and our housing needs for the residential healing centre 
when someone noticed the Thornhill article (in the News). A small school in 
Maple Ridge might be available at some time. We couldn1t resist a little 
window shopping, Hughes said. You see, we are desperate for a large, quiet 
space.

Hughes is a Maple Ridge woman whose 38-year-old sister Kerry Koski went 
missing in January 1998. Hughes wishes such a facility had been available 
for her sister, and so does Dorothy Purcell, who joined Hughes on the 
sightseeing tour to Thornhill on Thursday.

Purcell lost her daughter Tanya Holyk in October 1996.

The pair are actually looking for a piece of property, somewhat remote and 
peaceful, that could allow for 20 small but private bedrooms, large common 
areas for eating, meetings and projects, as well as a garden.

It could be a large house, or it could be a building that can be renovated 
to suit their purposes, said Hughes, pointing behind her to Thornhill 
primary. Or it could simply be a piece of property where they could build a 
home.

"We have these women (other women who are addicted and who have turned to 
members of the MWTF for help) and we1d take anything right now to get them 
started," Hughes said. Even if a temporary facility was available that 
could house only 10 women, she said that would be a start.

MWTF is launching a series of fundraising efforts in the coming months. But 
Hughes said they can't afford to wait to open a centre and take the chance 
financing will stand in the way of saving someone's life.

"We're there. We're waiting. Please give us a house," she said. "I still 
believe somebody will come forward. If the worst can happen, so can the best."

Anyone with a 'just such a facility' or ideas about a location can call 
Hughes at 604-318-9611 or email In future installments, learn details about the proposed women's drug detox 
and rehabilitation centre, and hear from another local woman who has been 
searching for her sister for since June 1997.
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