Image Credit: Kent Simmonds / CFJC Today

By Jill Sperling

Sober Living Centre

Mustard Seed hopeful for strong success rate at reworked recovery program

Jan 21, 2020 | 4:13 PM

KAMLOOPS — The Mustard Seed’s Men’s Recovery Program in Kamloops was closed last summer when the organization decided to rework the program.

On January 14, the newly titled Men’s Sober Living Centre welcomed its first few residents. Eventually, the program hopes to fill all 17 spots.

Wellness Coordinator Jeff Arlitt says he’s hopeful for the success of the retooled program.

“So we’ve just had some opportunity to look at some new programming,” he said, “we just want to make it a lot more successful, not that it wasn’t successful before, we just want it to be really successful this time.”

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Arlitt says his own journey to recovery will aid him in his new role.

“Lived experience is huge, you know, I’ve been there done that,” he said. “It helps with the intake process, I can tell if somebody’s serious or not, it helps with that. But, also while I’m working with them I can, just based on what I’ve experienced and what worked for me, hence why we’re going to have a year program.”

Arlitt attended more than 10 treatment centres before finding a year-long program that helped him break his addiction.

Image Credit: CFJC Today / Kent Simmonds

“I’m clean for six years now, and I cleaned up here six years ago,” Arlitt said. “So, it’s nice to actually be in the position where I’m at right now to actually — I know a lot of the men, I’ve known them for a lot of years, so to see them wanting it and passionate about recovery and then I’m able to work alongside them with their goals.”

Four men are currently in the program, with more intakes expected throughout the next month.

Residents will have the opportunity to earn their Grade 12 diploma and participate in other skills training.

“There will also be mandatory volunteering,” Arlitt said. “So, they’ll have to volunteer 12 hours a week and attend Smart Recovery. So, that just focuses on mainly their addiction, the addiction piece, and of course attend meetings and do the 12-step work.”

The Mustard Seed is also working on re-opening its thrift store, providing yet another opportunity for the residents of the Sober Living Centre.

“They’ll be able to volunteer there and hopefully that turns into employment,” Arlitt said. “Our main goal and focus is to really, it’s a year-long program, so to really have them in that year be successfully employed, and then housed, just transition them into housing after that.”

After several months without a recovery program, Arlitt says he’s excited for the service to return to the Mustard Seed.