Though it’s now better known as ASK Wellness, this society has been helping people since the 1980s

It started with Alfons Jalink, a big German, man who began advocating for people with HIV. He worked out of his basement. He wanted to help people, so he found information on how to get meds, how to get people tested, how to deal with finances.

After a while Jalink had an office near the Paramount Theatre. He was assisted by Mariann Sandrelle who was also an addict. She answered the phone and worked half days.

Until 1984, Cookie Reimer worked in Vancouver. Many of her friends were gay men and she began working with people who had AIDS. She initiated the AIDS walk, which was intended to inform people that they wouldn’t get “infected” simply by knowing a person with AIDS, or touching their hand.

In 1990, Reimer lost about seven friends to AIDS. Feeling burnt out, she moved to Kamloops and met Jalink through friends. She said that his work was something she could embrace.

She was interested in social benefits for women and joined Jalink in 1990, picking up where Sandrelle left off. By now Jalink and Reimer were advocating for 40 to 50 people, instead of 12 to 15, and they were now operating in a space above St. Johns Ambulance.

From this space Reimer recalls making breakfast for about 100 people on Monday mornings. They came up the back stairs of St. John’s Ambulance office. Unfortunately, under Public Health regulations, they where shut down and had to move.

“So, we found a space at the present location of Frankly Coffee and set up shop,” explained Reimer. Jo Rothenberger became Executive Director and she began the accreditation process for a non-profit. They became known as ASK Wellness.

Now they were dealing with the dual infection of HIV/HEPC, via shared needle use and drug use.

Soon they realized that one of three people did not have a place to live. They were not safe as they could be robbed or beaten; they had no protection. In some cases, they were not taking their meds. People were dying. They needed to find a way to house people.

“The Maverick, supportive housing, is our testimony to our mandate: Streets, homes, health, education, job and on your own,” Reimer said.

Bob Hughes is another significant person involved in the AIDS and supportive housing work of ASK Wellness. He carries degrees in leadership, communication, and psychology and social service has been part of his life forever. His mom was a teacher, and his father was a doctor and both set an example of caring for others.

Hughes was hired in 2007 by the non-profit ASK Wellness which at the time supported those with HIV. However, as time moved on so did ASK Wellness which today faces a great deal of work around the opioids crisis.

“Housing is the starting point, moving from outreach, to harm reduction and to provide housing. It is a full pathway, moving from the streets to a home, to help, to employment,” he explained.

There is a coordinated response which involves a treatment program, which can be long term to recovery; sometimes up to 18 months to recover. Recovery is followed by employment and supportive services, Hughes stated.

The recovery road is difficult. A relapse can occur and at ASK Wellness the person is not kicked out but given respite and a chance to keep trying. Hughes explained that an alcoholic can take up to 25 years to recover. Treatment and recovery is a journey.

ASK Wellness also provides a 30-day free trial if a person is interested in trying the program first.

Long term recovery requires employment. ASK Wellness works with affirmative employers. Both employer and employee are supported for success. The employee can learn as they go. Twenty-five percent are employed in various areas with ASK Wellness. Other clients work in retail or construction under on-the-job-training.

Neil Van Dongen began facilitating the Out of the Cold Program with the St. Vincent de Paul Society. He heard about ASK Wellness and liked their approach.

However, he headed for the coast and investigated a treatment program and a counselling degree via Vancouver Community College.

“It’s common to get a job based on experience,“  he explained.

While at the coast he received word that his mother was seriously ill, perhaps dying. Van Dongen returned home immediately.

After returning to Kamloops to be closer to his mom he worked at variety of jobs, some in construction. He again thought of ASK Wellness and applied for a job. It turned out ASK Wellness needed someone and Van Dongen began work with adult addiction supportive housing.

Later he worked at the Maverick as tenant support and recovery assistance. “Successful outcomes have to do with employment,” said Van Dongen, expressing his own experience.

Clients are reintegrated into work during recovery. “We work with employers,” he reiterated. “Work enhances recovery.”