COMMUNITY – Mustard Seed reopens live-in support program

The Mustard Seed Kamloops has reopened a live-in support program, a 17-bed Men’s Sober Living Centre at the Outreach Centre at 181 West Victoria Street.

The Centre will provide up to one year of support for men who have maintained at least one week of sobriety and includes employment coaching and a wellness coordinator to facilitate with a transition from addiction to fully independent living. The Men’s Sober Living Centre replaces the Men’s Recovery Centre.

Programming will include Street School to help residents attain their Grade 12 diploma, mandatory volunteering, Interior Health Authority’s Smart Recovery program and the new-to-Kamloops Seed Academy training program.

Seed Academy is a four-week program designed to provide training and education including first aid, non-violent crisis intervention training, and WHMIS, with the goal of helping men build their resumes and increase their employability.

“Residents will be required to volunteer 9-12 hours per week for the first few months through various social enterprise programs,” said managing director Mario Borba.

“After volunteering for a few months there will be opportunities for them to be employed and all proceeds from the social enterprise will either pay the salaries or to be reinvested in the program.”

While the details are still being finalized, possible social enterprise ventures include a thrift store, janitorial work, catering, and a coffee shop.