A non-residential centre providing continuing care for women in recovery has opened in Rothesay.

It is the third location for the Sophia Recovery Centre, which first opened in uptown Saint John in 2008.

It also expanded in 2021 with the opening of its second location in St. Stephen.

Executive director Julie Atkinson said the new location is seeing a positive response from the community so far.

“It’s coming along great in terms of the community response to the news that it is available. We’ve heard from a lot of women who are just thrilled that it will be located there,” said Atkinson.

“Women are now booking appointments with our peer support specialist and also with our therapist to have counselling appointments.”

Atkinson mentioned several women have already reached out and are glad a centre is now available in the Kennebecasis Valley.

“It makes me happy to hear so many women reaching out and saying, ‘we’re so glad that the service is going to be available here in our community.’ The fact that those women maybe were struggling alone in the past or just felt that the services were not as accessible to them.”

“So, the fact that we can now reach those women is something that makes me happy,” continued Atkinson.

Atkinson brought up that over time the organization will add programming.

“As we kind of see what types of programs women are interested in we’ll probably offer some group programs, coffee hours, meditation, and potentially some other group programs as well.”

September is National Recovery Month, and Atkinson mentioned that the Saint John location is holding an event on Sept. 30.

“So, at our Saint John centre, we’ll be having a little event where women can come in, which will be a potluck and there be some activities on that day.”

Atkinson added the Sophia Recovery Centre will also be holding its second annual Sunnyside Up Recovery Breakfast.

It takes place at the Algonquin in Saint Andrews on October 18 and at the Delta in Saint John on October 19.

The fundraising event will also feature award-winning keynote speaker and performing artist, Victoria Maxwell.

Maxwell said she will share her funny and powerful personal story of mental illness and recovery.