Wood Buffalo Wellness Society
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Mission Statement
Vision: A community where all are housed and free of addiction. Mission: We do this by providing culturally appropriate programs and support for addiction treatment and housing to individuals and families, focusing our efforts towards Indigenous communities, reconciliation and wellness.
About This Cause
The Wood Buffalo Wellness Society (WBWS) is a non-profit organization in Fort McMurray, Alberta, dedicated to supporting individuals and families facing addiction and homelessness. Our services encompass two primary areas: addiction treatment and houselessness. Addiction Treatment: Mark Amy Treatment Centre: This residential facility offers a minimum 56-day therapeutic program for substance use and behavioral addictions. The center employs an integrated biopsychosocial model, combining approaches such as Trauma-Informed Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, the 12-Step Program, traditional First Nations cultural practices, and a focus on physical wellness through diet and activities. Community Services (Houselessness Programs): Housing With Supports: Aimed at individuals, couples, and families experiencing chronic homelessness, this program provides intensive case management for 12 months or more. Support includes rental supplements and resources to address barriers to securing housing. Active participation is mandatory, with clients working on self-determined goals to maintain permanent housing and autonomy. Centralized Intake: WBWS conducts screening interviews to determine eligibility for housing programs. Eligible clients are referred to appropriate services, including Housing with Supports partner agencies. Outreach Services: For those who do not qualify for Housing with Supports, WBWS offers one-on-one services to individuals or families who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. Outreach workers assist clients in addressing barriers leading to their homelessness. After-Care: Post-treatment support is provided to help individuals maintain their recovery and housing stability. Tawâw Permanent Supportive Housing: "Tawâw," a Cree term meaning "Come in, you're welcome, there is room for you here," is an Indigenous-led permanent supportive housing program designed for the chronically homeless population. The program emphasizes decolonization and reconnecting residents with Indigenous language, land, culture, and ceremonies as part of the recovery process. It fosters a sense of community and belonging through Indigenous worldviews centered on reciprocity, respect, and natural law. The facility offers 30 individual units and provides varying levels of care based on recovery-oriented and trauma-informed philosophies. Case management is tailored to each resident, aiming to transition individuals from lives affected by addiction and intergenerational trauma to ones of support, dignity, and cultural pride. While the ultimate goal is for residents to achieve autonomy and self-designed wellness, the program also accommodates those, particularly the elderly, who may choose to reside there permanently with dignity and respect. Sâkihitowin Recovery Homes: Provides safe, communal housing for men and women in addiction recovery. Rooted in Indigenous traditions, it combines cultural practices like sweat lodges and smudging with counseling, peer support, and life skills training. Residents can stay up to two years, preparing for independent living through education, employment, and cultural reconnection. Rooted in seven traditional values—Love, Respect, Humility, Honesty, Courage, Wisdom, and Truth—WBWS blends traditional knowledge and ceremonies with evidence-based practices to create an environment of respect, warmth, and inclusiveness.