The Chilliwack Alano Club, a long-standing support hub for people in addiction recovery, recently celebrated its 40th anniversary. Local political leaders joined in to recognize the occasion and show support. Conservative Party MLAs Liya Warbus and Heather Maahs, along with Chilliwack Mayor Ken Popove, visited the club to learn more about its ongoing work.
Club President George Pound and Vice-President Don Murphy welcomed the visitors and gave them a tour of the building at 46035 Victoria Avenue. They shared how, for four decades, the club has offered a safe, sober place for people who want to stop using drugs or alcohol and rebuild their lives.
“We are working hard to get the word out about where we are in Chilliwack, and what it is that we do for the community,” said Vice-President Don Murphy. The Alano Club estimates it receives between 3,500 and 4,000 visits every month, which shows how many people rely on its services.
How the Alano Club Supports the Community
The main purpose of the Chilliwack Alano Club is to provide an alcohol and drug-free space where people can meet, connect, and focus on their recovery.
The club is family-oriented and welcoming. It hosts close to 90 free meetings every month for a range of 12-step recovery groups, including:
- Alcoholics Anonymous (AA)
- Narcotics Anonymous (NA)
- Al-Anon (for family members and friends of people with alcohol use issues)
By offering a clean, judgment-free place to gather, the club gives people the chance to find peer support and real connection, which are both key for long-term sobriety. Along with meetings, the club organizes social events that help people in recovery build new friendships and healthy routines without alcohol or drugs.
Volunteers and the 12-Step Recovery Program
The strength of the Alano Club’s work is closely tied to the 12-step recovery program, a long-used method that helps people move away from addiction. Dedicated volunteers are central to this effort and often help newcomers find their way into these programs.
The 12 Steps provide a simple set of ideas to support change. They guide people to:
- Admit powerlessness: Accept that addiction has become stronger than their own will.
- Seek help: Believe that a power greater than themselves can support their recovery. This “Higher Power” is personal to each person and not tied to any one religion.
- Self-examine: Take an honest look at past actions, behaviours, and harms.
- Make amends: Try to repair relationships and take responsibility for those they have hurt.
- Help others: Share their recovery experience with people who are still struggling.
Volunteers and long-time members at the Alano Club often act as informal guides. They help newcomers connect with a sponsor, an experienced member who walks with them through the 12 Steps. This one-on-one support makes it easier for people to stay with the program and apply it in daily life.
By offering a steady, welcoming place for meetings and building a strong sense of fellowship, the Alano Club and its volunteers give people in Chilliwack a real chance at change. The visit from Mayor Popove and MLAs Warbus and Maahs highlights how important the club’s role is in the community, giving hope and a path forward to many individuals and families.
