Founded in 1990, Alberta Adolescent Recovery Centre (AARC) treats youth suffering from addiction. AARC sees alcoholism and drug addiction as an irreversible disease that must be constantly managed. Through the 12-step program also used by Alcoholics Anonymous, young people are given tools to manage the disease. AARC believes it is important to also provide support for the family and loved ones of addicts.

Youth aged 12-21 may be recommended to AARC treatment by a guardian or social service worker. Some families receive financial support for treatment. Before being accepted into the program, a potential client is assessed by an addiction expert who will also identify mental health issues that need to be addressed. During the first stage of treatment, youth are involved in treatment programming during the day and spend nights with the family of a client further along in the program. As treatment progresses youth reenter their family home, welcome newer clients into their home, and return to school or work. Treatment takes an average of ten months. Clients and their families can continue accessing support from AARC after the program ends.

Results and Impact: Due to the very high cost per client, Charity Intelligence has found AARC to have low impact per dollar (see diagram in lower right).

In 2014, Alberta Adolescent Recovery Centre surveyed 22 graduates and 21 family members of graduates regarding their satisfaction with the program, graded on a scale from zero to five. Across ten areas related to programming and treatment by staff, graduates reported an average of 87% satisfaction and family members reported 89% satisfaction.

Charity Intelligence has completed the financial analysis using the most recent financial statements made available to Ci at the time of this report. Please note that financial analysis currently reflects F2014 data.

Alberta Adolescent Recovery Centre is a medium-sized charity with donations, goods-in-kind donations, and special events revenue of $2.4m in F2014. Administrative costs are 11% of revenues and fundraising costs are 23% of donations. For every $1 donated, 66 cents go to the cause. This falls within Ci’s reasonable range for overhead spending. AARC has $3.8m in funding reserves which could cover program costs for 1.8 years.

This charity report is an update that has been sent to Alberta Adolescent Recovery Centre for review. Changes and edits may be forthcoming.

Updated on August 16, 2018 by Madison Kerr.