Six citizens, concerned about community re-entry needs of the recovering alcoholic, formed Alcohol Recovery Inc (A.R.I.) in 1977. Until that time, a program did not exist in the Winnipeg community tailored to meet the long-term implications of addiction recovery.Consequently, the Board of Directors of the newly formed A.R.I. designed a 'living program' for recovering alcoholics that would plug the holes in existing projects, and give suffering individuals a better chance of successful long-term recovery. Funding and support was sought from institutions and individuals to get the A.R.I. homes under way.Thanks to the diligence of the initial Board, the necessary financial resources were obtained and A.R.I. began operations in slightly over a year. In November 1978, A.R.I. officially opened a men's residence, and in May 1980, a women's residence was added.In the late 1990s, Ester House, a recovery home specifically for women but independent from A.R.I., was established in Winnipeg. more... See more text