CSRA History

The "Chinook Society For Recovering Addicts" was formed in March of 2001 by a group of twelve step members that found themselves potentially without a meeting facility in which to hold their meetings. When they eventually found a facility they formed the Chinook Society for Recovering Addicts (CSRA) and started their search of potential groups to share the facility. Twelve step groups from Alcoholics Anonymous, Gamblers Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous agreed to rent meeting facilities from the CSRA. The group then registered their name under the non-profit societies act and became a Registered Society with a Corporate Access Number 2001/03/27.

The original group was formed with the idea that a facility could be shared with numerous twelve step recovery groups all in one location which would enable them to meet the rental costs and ongoing maintenance of the facility. The original board of directors was made up of recovery groups members and people in their live's which were effected by their disease.

The "Chinook Society For Recovering Addicts" is owned and operated by a society. The Board of Directors consists of elected members of office including Chairperson, Vice- Chairperson, Treasurer, Secretary, and Directors, each being a voting member and having a group conscious not governed by any one member. Each board member has a vested interest in there being 12 step meetings in Lethbridge. The Societies role is to ensure general maintenance to the facility and as landlord's to the Recovery groups utilizing space in the facility.

In 2006 the CSRA made application to the Charities Act and was Granted Charitable Status on December 21/2006. With the CSRA being a Charitable Organization, we now have the ability to raise funds to further enhance and maintain the recently purchased building. In March of 2007 the CSRA made application to the Alberta Lottery Foundation for a matching (CIP) grant. The matching funds from the Society are through a mortgage to purchase the building. In April 2007 the "Chinook Society For Recovering Addicts" were granted funds from the Alberta Lottery Foundation in which to help with the purchase of the building. This purchase will ensure the citizens of Lethbridge and area have a safe location to hold meetings for individuals in recovery from an addiction for many years to come.

Fund Raising events, Building Enhancement Campaigns and other special functions and forums will enable the CSRA Board of Director's in their dedication to the development of our facility and our promise to ensure a meeting place for addiction recovery into the future without placing financial hardship to our current and future recovery groups by maintaining affordable costs to any recovery group or related groups, organizations, educational professional or non professional groups or individuals utilizing The Chinook Recovery Hall to further enhance and maintain Addiction Recovery in our community.

In the fall of 2007, the CSRA has begun a Building Enhancement Project to undertake a major renovation to the building. Please visit the page on our Building Enhancement Project for complete details and pictures of the proposed project.