Labonte Manor: Official Opening of our Transition House

July 22, 2025

Last week marked a monumental moment in Adeara’s history. After months of behind-the-scenes work and renovations, our staff and board gathered for a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the official opening of our transition house.

We had the privilege of recognizing Eileen Labonte, whose incredible generosity enabled us to purchase the fourplex—now proudly named Labonte Manor in her honour. Labonte Manor will serve as a safe and supportive next step for women transitioning out of our one-year addiction recovery program. 

Meeting a Critical Need 

As a team, we identified a critical need for continued support as clients transition from our addiction recovery program to independent living. This phase can be especially challenging, as the structure and skills gained throughout our addiction recovery program can be difficult to sustain, without continued support. 

Women leaving the program are balancing the demands of sobriety, mental health management, parenting children with complex needs, and pursuing employment or education—often without the support of family or a healthy community. 

Fundamentally, clients are learning to live a new life in recovery. Without a strong support network, clients are at risk for relapse and a return to previous cycles that may have involved houselessness, incarceration, and/or criminal activity.  That’s why we’ve enhanced our Recovery Support Program with the addition of our Transition House Program—a second phase of Adeara’s programming. 

The Transition House Program 

Adeara’s Transition House Program is a two-year program comprised of two progressive phases. Movement from one phase to the next is based on a client’s level of engagement in their recovery journey. Clients utilize My Recovery Plan to track and assess their progress and remain accountable to personal and program goals. 

Through the Transition House Program, our mission is to provide continued recovery support and accountability, a safe transitional environment, and an opportunity for clients to save and prepare for their future. Clients experience increased autonomy and responsibility while maintaining connection with support systems and expectations. 

Clients in the Transition House Program are expected to: 

• Pursue educational opportunities and/or employment alongside their recovery. 

• Participate in one on one meetings with Adeara’s Addictions Counsellor to remain accountable to their recovery goals. 

• Take part in Foundations of Recovery, Adeara’s psychoeducational course series. 

• Access external recovery support to strengthen their support network. 

This structure empowers clients to take ownership of their recovery while continuing to benefit from community, accountability, and guidance.  

Welcome Home: Labonte Manor Opens Its Doors 

Over the next few weeks, three clients and their children will move into Labonte Manor. We are incredibly proud of the hard work these women have done in their recovery and are inspired as we watch them step confidently into this new phase of their journeys. 

Labonte Manor represents more than just a building—it symbolizes hope, growth, and lasting change. It allows women to take meaningful steps toward independent living while staying grounded in the support that has carried them this far.

A Sustainable Future in Recovery 

As an extension of our Addiction Recovery Program, the Recovery Support Program ensures the continuity of care beyond the walls of our current centre. Through programs like the Transition House, clients remain connected to a healthy support network, stay accountable to their recovery goals, and reduce their risk of relapse. 

A heartfelt thank you to the Edmonton Realtor’s Community Foundation for their generosity in donating $60,000 over the next three years toward the ongoing maintenance and upkeep of this home. In addition, they also provided volunteers to work on the landscaping in the front of the building and assisted in assembling furniture for all the suites. Their support helps us ensure that Labonte Manor remains a safe, welcoming, and well-cared-for space for our clients—thank you!

The opening of Labonte Manor is not just a milestone for Adeara—it’s a life-changing opportunity for women rebuilding their lives and families in sustainable recovery. 

This is just the beginning! As more women prepare to step into the next phase of their recovery journey, your support can help us sustain this critical program—and expand it to serve even more families in need.

When you give to Adeara, you’re not just donating—you’re investing in long-term recovery, family stability, and generational change.

Give today and be a part of rewriting stories of addiction into stories of hope and transformation.