DECADES OF HELPING
The House of Sophrosyne
Kim admits she was just looking to work the system in order to get her children back when she first entered the House of Sophrosyne for addiction treatment last year. “I thought I was just going to BS my way through it and get my kids back,” said the 40-year-old former nurse who asked not to use her last name. “Then after a few days there I had an epiphany and realized this is not the way I want to live anymore.” Kim embraced the treatment offered through a 35-day residential program for an addiction to crystal meth and continues to receive support through after-care programs. She has since regained custody of her three youngest children. “The House of Sophrosyne saved my life,” she said. “It saved my relationship with my husband and it saved my relationship with my kids.” The House of Sophrosyne is celebrating its 40th anniversary at Tuesday ’s annual general meeting. The meeting will take place at the organization’s new site, the former St. Alexander elementary school, at 5305 Adstoll Ave.
When expansion is complete, the facility will double the number of beds available to 30 from the current 15. The new site will help shorten wait times for services and allow for additional day and evening programs, child care and family rooms.
“The programs help you learn about yourself,” Kim said. “I lost myself. I had to learn who I was. I had to learn to take care of me and accept and be OK with what I’d done. You have to try to move through the shame and guilt. And now I try to do the next right thing.” Helping more women like Kim is the ongoing mission of the House of Sophrosyne. Forty years ago, women were reluctant to seek help for substance abuse or addiction.
“It wasn’t allowed,” said Karen Waddell, the facility’s executive director. “There was a stigma attached to it. It made you a bad mother or a bad wife. They didn’t feel comfortable seeking help and all the services were geared toward men.”
Now, with increased demand, the wait time for women to access treatment is seven to nine months. Last year alone, the house served 190 residential clients and provided outreach services to 525 women and families from not only the Windsor-Essex area but also Chatham-Kent and Sarnia-Lambton. Kim has completed the 12-week Mothers in Recovery program offered by the house and she continues to participate in weekly support meetings.
“They don’t just treat you and leave you,” she said. “The support is so important. The programs they have there are amazing. “
So far, a capital campaign for expansion has raised $1.1 million toward the goal of $3.5 million. Waddell said the facility is still looking to secure provincial funding for the expansion project. In addition to offering day treatment, the new site will have accommodations for women and their children if they’re six years and under.
“Right now that is not offered anywhere in Windsor,” Waddell said. “It’s a big barrier for some women who don’t want to leave their children.”
As part of Tuesday ’s anniversary celebrations, the name of the new facility will be revealed and reflect the contribution of a major benefactor.