MOMS SHARING SUPPORT

The Mothers for Recovery Support is there to help women as they choose
their own goals for drug abstention and successful parenting.

The group was started in Kamloops by Heather Cameron, a young,
addicted mother on the streets of Vancouver who wanted a better life
for her child and for other mothers and children in the same situation.

"She found that there was not much support for mothers who
successfully completed a rehabilitation program when they went back to
their own communities," said Caroline Huisken, coordinator of the
Pregnancy Outreach Program at the First Nations Friendship Centre
which sponsors the support group. The group is open to everyone in the
community.

"I heard Heather speak and it made sense to me that peer support is
huge. The women in the group receive specific support from the others."

Tina Desjardine, a mother and former drug user, is the facilitator of
the group.

"Mothers who are clean or who want to get clean need a safe place to
come where they won't be judged. They need to feel safe at all stages
and be able to talk about their struggles and the things that are
happening in their lives. If they want to come and not talk, that's
okay, too," she said.

Non-judgment and confidentiality are vital to the program. Each mother
sets her own goals for recovery and parenting, and may change the
goals over time. Peggy Himmelspach is not a member of the group but as
a mother who had her own struggles with addiction, she supports the
group. Her business, Urban Rebel Clothing Co., had a fundraiser and
was able to contribute $500 to Mothers for Recovery.

"I know the money will be used to help the mothers with things they
need. There is a lot of stress in trying to become clean and one of
the stresses is financial. Sometimes a little thing like getting some
diapers, food or a bus ticket, can make a big difference. This group
is doing such a great job in providing a safe place for mothers to
support each other," she said.

"I think it's important that the mothers support each other outside
the group as well, with things like phone calls and getting together
for coffee to help through the rough times and daily life. This is
very good for the community. I wish there had been something like this
when I was going through it."

Women who come to the program can get information about community
services that are available to them.

"We can direct women to professional services in all areas. Mothers
tell us that the group is awesome, that they are just so glad that it
started up because there was no support for their situation," said
Desjardine.

"They are happy to meet others who understand and it gives them a
sense of hope. They don't feel so alone. I have a huge passion for
helping people who have lived on the street and are using or have used
drugs. We welcome anyone to the group who thinks they need this kind
of support."

The program can use donations of baby and children's clothing and
equipment, maternity clothes and donations to the hot lunch program.

Mothers who are at any stage of recovery are welcome to come to the
meetings which are held at the First Nations Friendship Centre Tuesday
mornings. Child minding and snacks are provided. For more information,
call Huisken at 250-542-5448.