'Everybody is welcome': Siloam Mission removes sobriety requirement to access shelter, services

In a move to become more accessible and inclusive of the community it serves, Siloam Mission is no longer requiring people to be sober from drugs and alcohol at its centre.

Officially starting Friday, the drop-in centre and shelter in Winnipeg will provide services based only on a person's needs and behaviour.

"We aren't going to be asking people about their substance use outside of a safety plan," said Tessa Blaikie Whitecloud, Siloam Mission CEO. 

"So this means that all people in need of support, healing and recovery can come and access Siloam so long as they can be part of the community in a community setting," she said. 

In the past, staff asked questions at the door and redirected people who had used substances to shelters more open to that, like Main Street Project and N'Dinawemak.

"We're now one of those places," said Blaikie Whitecloud, adding the change is also more just. 

"We've had people in the past who were using substances and who are loving and caring and want to clean up after their neighbour, and people who are sober who are looking to create arguments," she said.

The shift is part of the faith-based organization's commitment to a new strategic plan announced last summer. 

Blaikie Whitecloud said staff also began training under the new behavioural-based model, which is in line with best practices.

"We recognize that addiction comes from trauma and we recognize that the experience of homelessness itself is a trauma," she said

"Having accessibility to services, having a space where you feel safe and not judged is so crucial to people being able to begin their recovery journey."

Normand Bedard has been living at Siloam Mission for a year and a half. He says it's not by choice, but he struggles with grief.

"I used to have a home. I had a loving wife. She died from cancer. And my life's been upside down ever since," he said.

He is cautiously optimistic about Siloam removing barriers.