The Mustard Seed New Life Community Kamloops will closes its men's recovery program on July 31 (Image Credit: CFJC Today)

By Chad Klassen

MEN'S RECOVERY CLOSED

The Mustard Seed says closure of men’s recovery program allows organization to evolve

Jul 22, 2019 | 5:12 PM

KAMLOOPS — The Mustard Seed New Life Community Kamloops says the closure of the men’s recovery program last week will allow the organization to retool and help to serve men struggling with addiction better.

Managing Director of the Mustard Seed Diane Down says the closure of the program was necessary, in part due to funding issues. Down, however, says the model of recovery simply wasn’t working for residents. They were not allowed to work while staying at the West Victoria Street location, and Down says that is not the model to follow.

“In the early days of recovery, that’s just fine. They probably shouldn’t be working because they need to focus on themselves and their health and getting stable,” said Down. “But as they transition and get ready to reintegrate into community, not being able to work, of course, is a pretty significant barrier. So we want to change that model to make the transition into market housing smoother and set them up for success.”

The Mustard Seed announced last Thursday the men’s recovery program will officially close its doors on July 31. The Mustard Seed is looking at permanent supportive housing for its residents.

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Residents in the men’s recovery program could not work while staying at The Mustard Seed. The non-profits wants to change that model (Image Credit: CFJC Today)

“We have good partnerships already with KRCC (Kamloops Regional Correctional Centre) and the Phoenix Centre, so folks coming out of detox and folks being released from incarceration that want stable, sober living, we can provide that in a sustainable way,” noted Down. “We’ll have resident engagement staff, we’ll have peer supports, likely on site.”

Down says the organization still hasn’t decided on how exactly to roll out this new recovery model.