Our History

The KBRH program was developed with the participation of addictions and mental health care professionals in conjunction with the 12-Step communities. Many of our Board members, staff and volunteers are part of the recovery community having amassed a great number of years of continuous sobriety.

One of the founding trustees and board chair of KBRH was Dr. Dominic Tang. He was a pioneer in recognizing the link between mental health and addictions long before it was widely accepted and he took a leadership role in the provision of services to this population. Dr. Dominic Tang was the 2010 winner of the prestigious Dr. William Hutchinson Award for distinguished contributions to health care in Sault Ste. Marie and Algoma, where he has generously served his community for nearly four decades.

The Ken Brown Recovery Home is identified in honour of Sault native, Mr. Ken Brown. This grateful tribute recognizes Mr. Brown's tireless work as a charter member of Alcohol Recovery Home (ARH) Inc., and a dedicated community leader effectively engaged in the establishment of this facility. As a recovering alcoholic, Ken developed empathy for the helpless alcoholic and focused on the need to help those who still suffered from the disease.

At the time of his sudden death while at work March 17th, 1975, on the eve of his retirement after a half-century career as a journalist and a soldier, Mr. Ken Brown had committed himself to another service - to his community and fellow citizens. It was another manifestation of the man who always cheerfully and voluntarily "walked the second mile."

In 1976, a unanimous decision of the Board of Directors, ARH Inc., agreed the alcoholic and addict seeking the recovery that will bring contented sobriety, will gain inspirational therapy from the name, Ken Brown, at the entrance of the home where this recovery will hopefully be achieved.

Courage to Change, Heal and Grow