Inuvik program to provide housing, transitional supports for men after addictions treatment
By Dez Loreen
‘There used to be nothing to come back to, but now there’s something stable,’ says program co-ordinator
Men who are returning to Inuvik, N.W.T., from drug and alcohol treatment in the south will soon have a safe place to stay as they transition back home.
The Transitional Housing and Recovery Program (THARP) is run by the Inuvialuit Regional Corporation.
The program has a four-bedroom house with eight beds for clients. Aside from providing housing, the program also offers employment readiness, after-care recovery help and land-based healing.
Jeffrey Amos is the co-ordinator of the THARP program. He said the initiative has been in the works for years, and the team is almost ready to open the doors.
Last week, the program held an open house and invited community members to come and see the building and hear about the services offered.
“We were telling the community about programs and providing after-care services. There used to be nothing to come back to, but now there’s something stable,” said Amos.
A team of staff is being trained this month, and will provide support and maintenance for the building.
“Now we are familiar with each other, we are a brotherhood,” said Amos.
Caleb Lennie is the wellness support worker for the program. He is excited about helping others on their recovery journey, having come back to Inuvik last year upon finishing his own addictions recovery program in B.C.
“It’s historical, this feels amazing to have aftercare for the people who go out for treatment,” said Lennie.
“It’s an amazing feeling to be a part of this.”
Teaching skills to the clients and providing them with knowledge to live independently is also a priority of the centre. A large kitchen in the house will be used to teach cooking, so every client will be given a chance to help provide for the house.
“If we could open tomorrow we would open tomorrow,” he explained.
“But there’s a few things, a few hurdles. Government issues, guidelines we have to follow, dot the I’s and cross the T’s.”
Amos said the facility could be open as early as the end of the month.
Related stories from around the North:
Canada: Construction on Nunavut’s first addictions and trauma treatment centre to be done by end of summer, CBC News
United States: Craft space aims to teach Alaska Indigenous women skills — and help beat addiction, Alaska Public Media
