As part of her recovery, former drug addict Tracy Williams reached out to the services of the community to achieve success in raising her baby in a healthy environment.
Williams and her one-year-old daughter, Marie, are clients at the Central Interior Native Health Society, which serves indigenous residents and those at high-risk in the Prince George community.
The perinatal/pediatric program at the society helps clients who have been victims of trauma, abuse, and substance use break the cycle.
"I was doing drugs and when I found out I was three months pregnant I quit everything," said Williams.
"It was hard but I did it. If it wasn't for Native Health being there for me I wouldn't have made it through. Charlene (Iverson, registered nurse at the clinic) helped me through it all. The clinic was like my second home. Everything I have gone through and everything I do is for my baby Marie."
With help from staff at the clinic, Williams, who was in and out of shelters as she struggled with her addiction issues, was able to access other resources to get safe housing.
The Association Advocating for Women and Children (AWAC) has the housing first program that started earlier this year and through that program Williams was able to get the supported housing that she needs to maintain her new healthy lifestyle.
Central Interior Native Health Society has about 30 women in the perinatal/pediatric program a year.
"Our clients are usually living below the poverty level and quite a few of them are struggling with addiction issues and almost all have been sexually assaulted or have some sort of domestic violence in their past," said Iverson.
"For many clients, pregnancy feels like an opportunity to turn their life around if they're going to do it. Pregnancy seems to be a good incentive for them to do it so we really like to take this time to encourage that. We have addictions counselors, we have social workers that help them with housing and the financial aspect, we have nurses and physicians to do regular prenatal care and then we do trauma counseling and if they have to go to court we support them in that, too. We also connect them to a number of different services within Prince George that partner with us."
The Rotary Club of Prince George has offered $6,050 in funding, which will go to help with the nutritional aspect of having a healthy baby before and after birth, support with any emotional issues like post-partum depression, offering moms a bag filled with essentials for the stay in hospital when they deliver their child, support from elders and snacks when they visit during regular follow up appointments at the health clinic for both mother and babe.
Seeing the success enjoyed by many clients like Tracy and Marie is heartwarming for Iverson.
"It's just incredible to be part of it," said Iverson. "All these ladies need is to know somebody believes in them and I believe them and I remind them of that until they believe in themselves. This is the best job I've ever had."
