Avalon Recovery Society Fashion Show and Tea

Avalon Recovery Society is the very best place for a women to begin the journey of rebirth.  I have had the honor and joy to refer many women over the years to Avalon and all that have followed through have found safety and hope.  “Ladies helping ladies” is what it really is about.  Drop in houses with AA meetings, Day care, yoga and meditation and love.

 Helen Burnham, the elegant and wise  cofounder epitomizes the organization.  Realizing there was no place where women could learn from each other how to get away from the death and destruction of addiction.  They researched the problem, developed a model,  gathered a volunteer board and  started the first one in West Vancouver, followed by Kerrisdale, then White Rock and now more and even more across Canada. A winning formula with amazing success.

This fashion show and tea fund raiser has been going for 6 years. The Semiahmoo Fish and Game Club is a perfect venue. Dr. Ray Baker, the world famous Addictionologist,  has spoken here.  He’s a cornerstone in the Recovery Capital movement.  I was privileged to be asked to speak when I was studying the tragic medical effects  of alcoholism on women.  This year Dr. Jennifer Hammersmark with 25 years therapy experience  (www.counsellinggroup.co 604-538-2323 ) presented an audience participation session asking those to speak of the emotions of addiction and the emotions people associated with recovery.  Members of the audience talked briefly of the anger, chaos, shame, despair and loneliness they’d experienced in addiction whereas in recovery they experienced joy, connectedness, and peace.  It was a moving poignant  presentation.

I loved the fashion show component. Lovely young ladies served tea to us in china cups with dainties while  beautiful women strutted the latest fashion on the improved boardwalk.   Rhonda McJannet was the coordinator and did a great job of introducing the fashions.  She had all the fashion lingo down while I only figured out why one number was called the ‘boyfriend shirt”.  The designers and stores who volunteered their amazing creations were Fashion on the Edge , Anna Kristina Boutique, Art to Wear Marianne Greavers, and Malary’s Fashion Network. 

Vocalist Angela Mafflin sang two songs in the loveliest of voices, one choice fittingly “I can see clearly now.” 

Leanne Utendale opened with the welcome and Maria Star Reed gave the blessing.  Avalon Board President , Eileen Kenkel spoke briefly and movingly. I’ve known those of the Avalon Board over the years. They are truly caring, thoughtful and considerate.  

When I consider the Fentanyl Crisis and everyone is scratching their heads,  I wonder why they don’t just ask Helen Burnham and Eileen Kenkel. 

I remember of a young women who died last year, her boyfriend and her taking a year off university, and they overdosed. I’d seen them once to begin treatment. I  recommended she go to Avalon and told them both about Alamo and the  Recovery Clubs.  They were all too far from where they lived.   

He woke up, she didn’t.  Beautiful bright young college student.  I know if only there was an Avalon in every district close to a bus line, there would be so many more deaths avoided and so many more lives saved.

Ladies helping ladies. .  That’s what’s needed. 

The 50/50 draw raised $1100 dollars.  Some lousy competitor beat my bid for Gilbert’s new dog dish. But Laura got the pink goop I thought she’d like .  I got a basket of chocolate ensuring I would be hated by all on the list before me.

Avalon Recovery Society Tea and Fashion Show, White Rock Centre -

The White Rock Centre  Avalon Recovery Society Tea and Fashion Show was a huge success. This was thanks to all the volunteers, the organizers and the local sponsors.  The Semiahmoo Fish and Game Club in Surrey was an idyllic location for such an elegant and posh affair.  Locally the hall is a favourite for wedding receptions because of the picturesque creek and balcony.  The Ladies of White Rock were a force to be considered setting up for the tea.  They were out in droves making sure everything would be just right for this must attend annual affair.  The theme was high tea with dainty delicious sandwiches and home baked sweets from the Roadhouse Grill.   Door prizes and silent auction were a delight from local business of White Rock.
Avalon provides a safe supportive place for women to come in recovery to meet, mingle, attend groups, and various activities. There’s child minders to help with mothers. The key is discretion.  It’s a quiet place, a kind of family of friends, for those who’ve been in the loud to long or too alone.  It seems to meet so many women’s needs.  In my work as a psychiatrist and addiction medicine specialist I've referred women repeatedly there knowing that while they have AA groups and Al Anon Family Meetings, they have a more diverse offering, but mostly they’re mostly just women in recovery helping other women.
It was an honour and privilege to be asked to be a speaker again.  Avalon Women’s Drop In Centres are now in Kerrisdale, West Vancouver and White Rock but they’re really needed in every major community.  Hence the need for fund raising.
The gowns were truly Hollywood red carpet.  The ladies were spectacular.  It was a day to remember for sure.  So much good feeling and laughter.

Edge Fashions, 15223 Pacific Avenue, White Rock; Anna Kristina Boutique, Semiahmoo Mall; Malary's Fashion Network, 5755 176 Street, Cloverdale all graciously provided the fabulous fashions for the mix of volunteer and professional models. 

Cindy Morrison served as Masters of Ceremony and did a very good job indeed.  Uplifting and spontaneous.  President Beverlie Jansen is delightful charming lady who instills confidence and calm by her very presence. Fashion Show Coordinator Rhonda McJannet was truly vivacious.  As Dr. William "Hayes" I maintained my anonymity for the doctors opinion. Like other physicians and psychiatrists and addiction specialists, hospitals and agencies I'm very confident referring women to Avalon knowing they'll find safety and solution.  Kari McNiven gave a heartfelt talk of her work in Avalon.  Finally, Champion All Star Cheerleading added that wonderful touch of zest to made the perfect day that much more.



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