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'Our members care deeply about supporting people with mental illnesses.' - Brenda Brown, BCGEU.
Quesnel (19 Jan. 2010) - After over 15 years of serving the community, the Quesnel Step Up House, a five-bed home for the chronically mentally ill, has closed its doors, a victim of public service cuts by B.C.'s Campbell government.
"Our community is losing a supportive home for some of our most vulnerable citizens living with mental illness," says Brenda Brown, chair of the health services component of the B.C. Government and Service Employees' Union (BCGEU/NUPGE).
"Step Up House is not just a care facility, it is a key part of the community of care so that people stay stable and well."
Step Up House is a residential group home providing long-term care for two patients with mental illness and short-term, respite care for up to three others at a time. In addition it provides meals, medication support and services to other mental health patients living in the community.
Step Up House and its employees received notice on Nov. 5 that the B.C. Northern Health Authority (BCNHA) would stop its funding effective Jan. 15.
The union and community supporters undertook a spirited campaign to pressure the BCNHA to restore funding to keep the facility open.
More than 830 residents of Quesnel and the area signed a petition calling on the BCNHA to restore funding and keep the facility open. The petition was delivered to the BCNHA board and to MLA Bob Simpson (Cariboo North).
The Quesnel and District Labour Council and community supporters also held a rally in support of Step Up House and of funding for health services. Union representatives made a presentation to the Quesnel City Council asking for support, and city counsel endorsed the campaign on Dec. 14. Union representatives also met with the BCNHA board in Prince George on Dec. 14.
The residents of Step Up House have been relocated to other facilities. One resident has been moved to Prince George. Temporary solutions have been found for others.
"I am proud of our members who, despite the uncertainty about their employment future, worked tirelessly to advocate for their clients' needs," says Brown.
"Our members care deeply about supporting people with mental illnesses. At the same time as they were preparing Christmas for their residents, they were volunteering their own time to campaign to keep Step Up House open. They truly embodied the northern way of caring and our community is better off for their efforts."
Step Up House employed five regular staff and six casual staff, all members of BCGEU. Union representatives continue to work to secure other opportunities for employment.
NUPGE
The National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE) is one of Canada's largest labour organizations with over 340,000 members. Our mission is to improve the lives of working families and to build a stronger Canada by ensuring our common wealth is used for the common good. NUPGE
More information:
• B.C. Liberals plan to close Quesnel group home