Union Gospel Mission (UGM) is opening Arrow Home, a recovery home in Saanich, so mothers and children fleeing from addiction can now get long-term care on the Island.
“A mother’s heartbeat is the first song the baby will ever hear. It carries with you forever,” Nicole Mucci, UGM media relations and communications manager said.
Keeping the mother and baby together is very important as that familial relationship is one the most important ones a family can have, said Nicole Mucci, media relations and communications manager.
The house will be open at the end of August and will house six mothers and their children for up to 12 months, a service that has been non-existent on Vancouver Island.
"Historically, there were six beds for women wanting long-term living options on Vancouver Island," According to Mucci.
Hannah Ferguson had battled addiction for over a decade, and when she was 31, she collapsed while trying to detox on her own in Victoria and moved to the Mainland to get the help she needed.
“I wanted help, but I didn’t know where to get it, and there was nothing available for me [at that time] on the Island,” Ferguson said.
The house was donated to UGM alongside a van that will be used for mobile missions to the unhoused in Greater Victoria.
“It was a $2 million donation,” Mucci said.
Upon arriving at the home, mothers and their children can expect to find well-designed, cozy bedrooms and will go through a stabilization period that can last three months, according to Mucci.
"In that stabilization time, the woman is also able to understand what recovery is going to look like for her because it is really important to understand that a person's journey is always a little different," said Mucci.
The women’s recovery home and mobile missions cost $1.599 million, which will keep the lights on and ensure that UGM can offer the programming continuously.
Once the 12 months are over, it will not be a case of “Hey, you are better now. Goodbye,” Mucci said. “You want to make sure, especially when you have a mum and baby, what their next steps are.”
UGM want to ensure that good support systems are in place and they can find housing once mum and baby leave Arrow Home.
"The truth is people might transition more quickly out because they have their other ducks in a row. Or maybe she'll stay from 12 to 15 months because she has a lot more barriers that need to be addressed."
