A temporary home has been opened for men in need of some help in the South Cariboo by the Night to Light Freedom to Recovery and Treatment Society.
Any adult male needing help or shelter is welcome, says President/founder Daniel McCollom, as long as they have been clear of drugs and sober for 24-hours prior and remain that way during their stay [as well as being respectful and non-violent, of course].
Expert guidance and support is also offered onsite and/or through local partnerships for counselling, family/relationships, job training, spiritual growth, medical and mental health, sobriety, literacy and housing.
McCollom knows personally what it is like to struggle with addiction and recovery, and saw too many people, sober and drug-free, back out on the street either homeless or struggling to find employment, stability or even a purpose in life.
"I was addicted to drugs for 30 years, a long time in my life. I went into recovery eight years ago, and I did five years of recovery on [Vancouver Island].
Afterward, he stayed on the Island for a couple more years, doing a lot of street ministry with The Mustard Seed Street Ministry Church in Victoria, he explains, and other work with Hope Farm Healing Centre in Duncan.
Hope Farm is an "amazing healing centre and beautiful place" that Daniel and his supporters are aspiring to be a "cookie-cut" twin of with Night to Light.
Daniel says he slipped into one brief relapse with drugs, which he attributes to the pressure he put on himself, "trying to play catch-up" for all the years he missed, to achieve success by investing in a stressful business on Vancouver Island.
This brought him to the South Cariboo about two years ago for a brief time in recovery at the Psalm 23 Transition Society centre at 59 Mile, he adds.
This is where he realized he can't be chasing the corporate lifestyle with a "false feeling of good" that led to his relapse, he explains.
Since then, the South Cariboo has helped him develop a new life – and find a wonderful wife, who Daniel married 18 months ago, he adds.
"I built up a beautiful network of friends, through churches and Alcoholics Anonymous [AA] programs."
Last summer, he began seeking confirmation of support in principal from the community, he says, including the local branches of the RCMP, Canadian Mental Health Association and area churches.
"I was overwhelmed with how many people supported this and said 'yes we want to be a part of this, we need it, it's overdue. We were just waiting for a person that would do the meat-and-potatoes of it'."
Now, his vision aims to satisfy both his motivation to do something with his life, as well as his desire to help others, he explains.
Daniel and his wife, Julie McCollom, also own JJ's Furniture store on Birch Avenue.
Despite being busy at the store, Julie is right on board and invaluable as accountant and administrator at the new recovery centre, he adds.
After getting more than 50 private e-mails voicing local support, Daniel gave up his local business, Doc Homes Property Care & Design, to go full-bore on his new vision.
Since then, individuals and societies have donated everything from a three-month loan of a house and food hampers to bedding and men's clothing, and they get a bit of money through some of their client's grants.
They still need volunteers, and while they don't seek financial donations – despite struggles with funding most of it themselves – Daniel says they could use a hand, so wouldn't turn any helpful assistance away (receipts would be issued). Julie adds the items they need most are twin beds and bedding, disposable items (i.e. toilet paper) grocery and gas cards and they're saving up for a van.
Daniel built a five-bedroom house near 100 Mile House where he can offer temporary shelter for up to 14 men, with 24-hour supports and the McCollom's living just next door.
They offer the spiritual guidance of Larry Hilstad, teaching a Resolutions for Men course; and pastors Dennis Smith (New Wine Ministry church) and Rick Barker (Cariboo Christian Life Fellowship); as well as counselling from Spence Henderson.
"We don't want to isolate anyone, we are just a helping hand up," adds Daniel. "We have the resources to get them back up on their feet."
For example, if their temporary residents need recovery, Night to Light can either help them stay sober or point them to the right treatment centre, or if they are homeless, help them transition back into society and find employment and housing, he adds.
"At our Saturday night AA meetings at the house, we are actually going to introduce the first Narcotics Anonymous meeting up here."
Daniel says that after three months, residents have the option to leave the society altogether, or join as a volunteer.
With all the great feedback they've had, and some positive movement in this direction, he hopes Night to Light will inspire a similar transition society offering support for women soon.
"We believe the community is the solution," he adds, for all the people who are simply seeking human kindness to succeed.
Learn more about Night to Light online at www.facebook.com/nighttolight society, or contact Daniel at 250-644-5201 or e-mail nighttolightsociety@gmail.com.