Testimonials
Awesome, thank you! I got my baby back [from MCFD] due to the support from this program!
- Mothers for Recovery participant
[The Mentorship Program] brought together women from early recovery and later recovery. This gave individuals with more clean time to share their experiences and offer tools that worked in their recovery [to mentees]. This is the first program where judgement is NEVER welcome! There was complete honesty and support throughout the program.
-Mentor from February 2009 Mentorship Program Cycle
As the facilitator of the Perinatal Support Program, I have referred numerous clients to the Mothers forRecovery Support Programs, as I believe in their ability to support women suffering from addiction issues. Their programs and support are an essential component to our community resources for mothers suffering from addiction issues. This program is different than any other program in Kamloops as they provide specific services for mothers. I believe in the peer driven support programs as it provides clients with the opportunity to be supported, share like experiences and explore alternative solutions. Mothers for Recovery Support Group provides mother’s with the opportunity to gather emotional support and gain the knowledge that they can engineer their own recovery and begin to make better life choices for themselves and their families.
-Michelle Nelson, Perintal Therapist, Perinatal Support Services,Interior Health
I came to the [Mentorship] Program to give back and help other women with addiction issues, but as the clycle ends I realize that the mentees have given me so much. I have made connections and friendships that will last a lifetime.
-Mentor from February 2009 Mentorship Program Cycle
I have worked in the Special Care Nursery for most of my 28 year career. I am now the PCC (charge nurse) for the unit in Kamloops. There was a time when moms/babies with addiction issues were a rarity in our unit. This is not the case any longer. Sadly, I have not seen many success stories and often wondered what we could do to improve the outcomes for these families.Recently, I was invited by Heather Cameron to be involved in the discussion and implementation of a plan of management for one of her clients. I was so impressed by the many disciplines involved in the planning phase. The care plan was openly discussed and known to all parties prior to the client delivering her infant. This made it so much easier for caregivers in the hospital as we were well aware of what was needed to support this mother/baby dyad.
In the hospital, I witnessed 24/7 support for mom/baby carried out by Heather Cameron and designates. The mother was able to care for her baby in the room and gain confidence in her abilities. Mom learned re: feeding cues and care of the newborn. The process went very smoothly (for once!)…no surprises or upsets for the client and staff.
I would like to see this happen all the time for these mothers and babies. We need to get better at managing a problem that is not going away. I look forward to a lengthy partnership with [Mothers for Recovery] and am hopeful for better outcomes for these special clients. If we can do it once, we can do it again!
-With thanks, Jan Kirkland, Royal Inland Hospital Charge Nurse
My name is Heidi Starr and I am the Program Coordinator and Community Educator for the ASK Wellness Centre’s SHOP Program (Social and Health Options for Persons in the Sex Trade). The SHOP program assists women with present or past experience in the street level survival sex trade get off the street, exit the sex trade, and maintain that exit. We are funded through the City of Kamloops and the United Way.
Mothers for Recovery has played an integral role in some of my program participants’ plans for overall wellness. [Mothers for Recovery] has offered these women a safe, non judgmental and comfortable atmosphere and program in which these women can learn and be themselves, while developing the skills necessary to be and/or become the best mothers they can be. Mothers for Recovery has provided the kind of support for my program participants they simply are unable to receive through any other agency in Kamloops and it has profoundly affected their worlds, their community, and that of their children. I hope that every community will get the opportunity to have an agency just like this one to serve and grow with the mothers in recovery across Canada.
-Heidi Starr, Aids Society of Kamloops Wellness Centre
