Our program continues to have a significant impact helping individuals find and keep housing in Vernon. One client was referred to Partners in Resources (Piers) by Interior Health’s Substance Use Outreach Team to access our housing and client support services. They were initially barred from all Turning Points services and had been living in an encampment in a local park. They suffer with complex trauma and substance use disorder. We have navigated access to health and treatment services through our case management supporting the client to meet their goals of getting back on proper medication, connecting with additional medical care, and assisted them in completing their Persons with Disabilities (PWD) application.  With aid from Piers staff, they now have housing at a farm outside of town where they work to subsidize the cost of rent.  We have mended the relationship between the client and Turning Points through mediation, so they are no longer barred from those services and their overall health and wellbeing has improved significantly. Piers continues to assist the client as they navigate plans for the future. 

Another client, who had joined the Reaching Home Program in May 2022 when they were about to lose their housing and self-reported that they struggled many years with substance use is now thriving.  With ongoing case management, encouragement and emotional support from our Piers team along with assistance navigating treatment services and the client’s sheer determination paired with hard work they eventually became substance free even after a couple relapses and setbacks, they never gave up.  Our PIERS team was able to connect this client to income supports related to rent and assist with completing housing applications to find stable housing.  The client is now two years substance free and living in housing that they enjoy with a friend they met in treatment.  They now want to give back to the community and have enrolled in a course at the Okanagan College to be a community support worker.  They express that sobriety has made it all possible and is grateful for Piers consistent support in order to maintain housing and meet goals.