Westover Mission Statement

The Westover Treatment Centre exists to enable individuals and their friends and family to recover from chemical dependency and codependency in order to lead healthy and productive lives.

History of Westover

Established by Brian and Nancy Gallagher the original seed for Westover was sown in the spring of 1982. One day, Brian and his good friend Robert R were traveling to Windsor Ontario when they happened on the Community of Thamesville and the property that today is the Westover Treatment Centre. Robert noticed a “For Sale” sign on the property and commented, “We should do something with that.” Brian had been reading about the remarkable success of residential 12-step programs for the treatment of chemical dependency in the United States. Brian who at the time was working as an addictions counselor at St. Leonard’s in London believed such a program could be equally successful in Canada.

In July of 1982 Brian brought together a group of concerned people to form a committee to discuss the possibility of establishing a Recovery Home for alcoholics. Soon after a Board of Trustees was formed consisting of many friends of the 12-step program. Mr. Art Messom was appointed the first Executive Director and it became his primary responsibility to turn the dream into a reality.

A successful fundraising campaign led to the purchase of the Thamesville property. Originally a private residence the home had been most recently used as senior’s long-term care facility. The group was attracted to the character of the building and the beauty of the countryside which they believed would contribute to the holistic treatment atmosphere they envisioned. However the ravages of time since the closure of the long-term care facility had taken a toll on the interior of the building. It was at this point the tradition of volunteer involvement at Westover took root. For two years the group continued to raise money and completed a labour of love to restore the home to its former beauty. Today clients and visitor alike marvel at the charm and beauty of what is affectionately.

In October of 1984 Beverley Thomson became the new Executive Director – a position she would hold until 2003. Clients, alumni and staff gratefully acknowledge her enthusiasm, creativity, dedication and love to Westover.

Westover has always been grateful for the many dedicated and unselfish volunteers who have served on its Board of Directors but none more so than Sister Saint Patrick a Catholic Nun who was the Executive Director at London’s Withdrawal Management Services and who would faithfully serve on the Westover Board until her passing in 2000.

In 1986 Westover received its first clients and since that time more than 8000 people have been taught the "Discovery to Recovery" that is at the heart of the westover program.

In 1990 Nancy Gallagher realized her dream of establishing a Family, (Codependency) Program where the families, friends and loved ones of those aaffected be someone else's addiction could come and be taught the tools necessary for hope and healing. The Westover Residential Family Program is one of just two such programs in the Province of Ontario.

1990 also saw the dedication of the sister Saint Patrick Auditorium which included a full size gymnasium, resident's quarters for the new Family Program, meeting rooms and a kitchen.

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