Mustard Seed program proves success of, need for recovery housing in Kamloops

“One of the biggest things we focus on when they first come in is bringing back that dignity and hope, as we know a lot of that may be lost in their addiction,” said Jeff Arlitt, recovery manager. “And then just focus, between our recovery advocate and myself, focus on breaking down those barriers and building those relationships with them is key.”

The one-year program is one of few options in Kamloops. It allows guests to rebuild and learn to stand on their own again, with 66 per cent graduating clean and sober.

“There is a big need, right? There is a big need for options for those who do want to get that hope back, get their lives back, get their families back and their kids back and it’s unfortunate that I can only offer so many rooms,” said Arlitt.

“We have to catch them where they are at. We are getting guys out of detox, we are getting those phone calls and, unfortunately, I have to keep turning them down. That is the unfortunate piece right there,” added Arlitt. “It does hurt — and it hurts for everybody. It hurts even myself having to say it’s unfortunately going to be a three-month waitlist here, because there is a high percentage, a very high percentage that go right back to the streets or shelter and back to their substance use.”

Understanding the challenges for finding stable housing post recovery, the Mustard Seed will not discharge anybody just because the year is up, without a safe landing spot.

“We don’t discharge, there is no set discharge,” said Arlitt. “For them to be successful, we want that employment, we want that housing — so they stay here until they are ready.”

“That is one of the biggest blocks — housing, to be honest. It is really hard for us to navigate that,” added Arlitt. “Housing has always been a struggle here in Kamloops.”

You can’t force anybody into recovery. They have to be ready, and equally important there needs to be room, a place to take step one.

“The fact that I got into here, it absolutely saved my life, 100 per cent,” said Trevor Starchuk, who graduated from the Mustard Seed program in 2023. “I wouldn’t have made it.”

Starchuk remembered a quote from Arlitt saying, “Harm reduction is a Band-aid and recovery is a solution.”

“I think there is a place for harm reduction. It’s the first point of contact but there definitely needs to be more support about… ‘Okay, what do you want to do now?’ And then also have that, ‘What do you want to do now?’ in place so they can be supported throughout the continuum of care,” Starchuk told CFJC News.

He’s now helping others get clean in Kamloops with the Loud Voice Society, which runs recovery beds on the North Shore.

“That is the misconception — that people aren’t able to change. Offered the proper support for a long period of time, people are able to change and they are able to turn their lives around and become contributing members of society,” said Starchuk.

Arlitt would happily double his capacity if given the opportunity, knowing all too well the need for every level of care within Kamloops.

“For me, I can only speak on what I see the need to be for guys that are completely clean and sober and want to continue on their lives, abstinence-based… we definitely need a lot more dry options out here,” said Arlitt.

by Michael Reeve

Mustard Seed program proves success of, need for recovery housing in Kamloops

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