Image Credit: CFJC Today

By Connor Gunn

ADDICTION RECOVERY

Mustard Seed hopes to help people who use substances through new Men’s Recovery Program fundraiser

Jul 11, 2022 | 4:08 PM

KAMLOOPS — The Mustard Seed’s Men’s Supportive Recovery Program is holding a fundraiser starting Monday (July 11) to assist those living with a substance use disorder.

“There was anything that I wanted to do I could accomplish. I realized that this is really a good time not to change one thing, but to change everything in my life,” says recovering addict Mike Haertel.

Haertel moved back to Kamloops after 25 years of being a chef. When he got back into the city, he started using narcotics.

The Men’s Supportive Recovery program is helping many people in the city like Haertel overcome their addictions.

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“At the last minute, they said they would take me in and that was a life-changing thing for that really began the beginning of my comeback and my recovery. I’ll never forget that day; it was probably the happiest day of my life,” adds Haertel.

Men’s Recovery Manager Jeff Arlitt says he knows the benefit of the program because he went through it himself. Now, he’s committed to assisting others.

“Our main goal is to help people — help the men who come up here to be successful. It’s no different than in the whole building, our wellness centre, the outreach — it’s to really bring guys in and find out where they’re at and whatever barriers are in the way, whether that be drug addiction or whatever that is. It’s to help them be successful and lead a successful life.”

The facility houses up to 17 people and takes them through a 12-step program.

In order to expand, the Mustard Seed needs funding for furniture and more space around the facility.

“We’re usually full for the most part, which is part of the reason we’re doing this fundraiser in hopes that we can expand our services and offer more help,” Arlitt explains.

Haertel said he was living on the street at one point in his journey to recovery and through the Mustard Seed and Narcotics Anonymous, his life was changed.

“I went down there and started doing [Narcotics Anonymous] meetings and it turned out to be a great fellowship and really what I needed, like-minded people that have been through the same thing, and I started to realize that I’m a smart guy that really made some bad choices in life. But it’s never too late to turn it around.”

The fundraiser runs until August 15 and the Mustard Seed says people can get involved by going to their website and also reminds people to reach out if they need help.