A Thompson organization that seeks to prevent domestic violence by helping men develop healthy relationship behaviours and deal with their addictions is expanding its services to women with the help of government funding.
Men Are Part of the Solution (MAPS) is receiving money from the province to provide 12 supportive recovery housing units for women, the government announced April 23.
“Supportive recovery housing provides a stable place to live for those completing their addictions recovery and is an invaluable resource in reducing the likelihood of relapse,” said Mental Heath, Wellness and Recovery Minister Audrey Gordon in an April 23 news release.
The province said studies have shown that supportive recovery housing can help people succeed in dealing with drug and alcohol addictions.
“The partnership with the province of Manitoba and Men Are Part of the Solution will enable the expansion of transitional housing services for the Phoenix House facility to include supports to women to address a critical need in Northern Manitoba,” said MAPS president Oswald Sawh. “Over the last seven years of providing transitional housing services to men, nine of every 10 of our clients have been able to successfully access long-term housing and reunification with their family and community.”
MAPS has provided drug- and alcohol-free housing on Stanford Bay in Thompson for men dealing with addictions and other issues since 2013
“Partnering with front-line organizations across Manitoba is the best way our government can provide direct support exactly where it’s needed,” said Gordon. “We continue to create and fund services that take a whole-of-government approach to support those living with substance use and addictions issues, as per recommendations in the VIRGO and Illicit Drug Task Force reports.”
Those reports identified supportive housing for women and Indigenous people as priorities and the new units operated by MAPS, as well nine in Brandon operated by the Westman Community Health and Housing Association, will increase access for members of both groups.
Funding for the housing units is provided by the Canada-Manitoba Home and Community Care and Mental Health and Association Services Funding Agreement.
