Addiction is a complex and challenging issue affecting not only individual struggles but also impacts the lives of loved ones and society as a whole. Recovery from addiction is a long and difficult journey requiring a lot of effort, support, and dedication. However, it is possible, and there are many inspiring stories of people who have overcome their addictions and now lead happy, fulfilling lives.
Tyler, the founder of Residents in Recovery, is one of those inspiring people. He is a recovering addict who decided to change his field and pursue a career in the addiction and community services sector. After completing the Addictions and Community Services Worker program at Reeves College, Tyler founded Residents in Recovery, a sober living organization that provides a range of addiction treatment services.
Residents in Recovery started in 2018 and has grown to include an extensive outpatient program. The organization has multiple properties and serves over 40 clients. Residents in Recovery is one of a kind in Western Canada, and their waitlists can often be over a year long.
Tyler's journey to recovery and his dedication to helping others is a testament to the power of resilience and compassion. Tyler's personal experience with addiction has given him a unique perspective on the issue, and he is passionate about providing evidence-based addiction treatment that is cost-effective and has better outcomes than traditional treatment models.
One of the main challenges that Residents in Recovery faces is capacity. The demand for addiction treatment services far outweighs the organization's capacity, and they have had to cut off referrals from other provinces due to the high demand. Tyler acknowledges that capacity will always be a concern, but he is determined to continue providing addiction treatment services to those who need them.
We asked Tyler about other major challenges in running a Not-for-Profit organization and he states that funding is a significant challenge the organization faces. They receive less than 20% of its funding from government sources, and fundraising and fee-for-service programs cover the rest. Tyler spends a significant amount of his time writing grant proposals, which takes him away from his primary role, but it is necessary to maintain the organization.
Another challenge Residents in Recovery faces is employee recruitment and retention. The organization has positions and shifts that go unfilled every day due to the shortage of qualified personnel in the addiction and community services sector.
Despite these challenges, Residents in Recovery continues to provide addiction treatment services to those who need them. Tyler's passion for helping others is inspiring, and his story is a reminder that recovery is possible, and addiction can be overcome.
More importantly, his success is a testament to how being goal-oriented and finding your passion can lead to amazing results.
Are you interested in starting your journey as an entrepreneur? Check out one of our various programs and you may find your passion, just like Tyler did.