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By John Keery
FREEDOM’S DOOR is helping drug addicts and
alcoholics in the Central Okanagan get off the streets and back into
society.
“There are exciting changes in the lives of men
coming through these doors,” said Harold Hall, the youthful
executive director who took over just over a year ago.
“I consider it such a privilege to be involved,
because we see God at work in men’s lives.”
Freedom’s Door was started five years ago by a
group of Christians, and now has four duplexes capable of housing 40 men.
It operates a rigorous program based on the 12-step plan used by Alcoholics
Anonymous (AA) and Narcotics Anonymous (NA) – with a strong Christian
emphasis.
“We try to breathe the heart and spirit of
Christianity into it,” Hartel said. But he stresses that people are
not required to be – or become – Christians, to access
and benefit from the program
“We don’t require people to be at a certain
level of spirituality to enter the program. But most leave with a solid
Christian base.”
The only requirement is to have been off drugs
and alcohol for three days prior to starting.
Most are referred by other agencies; but some hear
about it and apply on their own.
For the first seven days, it is ‘lock down’
– which means no leaving the house, and limited access to the
telephone. After that, until the 60th day, the men are not allowed to leave
the premises – unless accompanied by someone reliable.
The routine during this time starts with wake-up at 6:
30, then breakfast. This is followed by prayer and devotions; then
chores, and two teaching sessions.
In addition, participants are required to attend at
least one outside activity per day – such as a church service, small
group meeting, AA or NA, or community work project.
Hartel stressed that Freedom’s Door is part of
the community, working with other organizations striving to to
alleviate problems such as addiction and homelessness. He takes his people
to thrift stores, Kelowna Community Food Bank and other venues where they
can help out. This helps them learn to become productive members of society
again.
“We are located within the community, not
separate,” Hartel said. “We are houses and homes rather than an
institution.”
He estimates 80 percent of people are homeless when
they enter the program. After 90 days, they are encouraged to find jobs;
and after about a year, most are ready to leave.
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Patrick Frederick was in the program five years ago. He
was clean for two years, and then relapsed. He returned two years ago.
“Freedom’s Door saved my life,”
Frederick said. “My life was like looking through a tunnel, and
everything was black.”
There is zero tolerance for substance abuse; people
caught using are kicked out for at least 30 days. After his second time at
Freedom’s Door, Frederick has managed to stay off drugs –
although, he still struggles with health and spiritual issues.
“I need to get back to church,” he said,
adding that one’s spiritual life “is like a gas tank. You need
to fill it up, or you lose track of what is important.”
Pete Weiler spent nine months in Freedom’s Door
four years ago – and it transformed his life. “God
started telling me what to do,” he said. “The Holy Spirit
started talking to me.” Now this one-time diehard alcoholic has a job
he likes – and is reconciled to his wife and daughter, whom he lost
contact with because of his addiction.
Dozens of stories like this are what excites Hartel
about his work. Unlike founding executive director Fred Milne and his
immediate predecessor Lloyd McClelland, he doesn’t come from a drug
background.
He studied at Briercrest College & Seminary in
Saskatchewan, and did a practicum developing a theology of addiction. He
came to Kelowna as a youth pastor several years ago, then moved to
Freedom’s Door.
“The struggle with addiction is like our daily
struggle with sin,” Hartel said. “It is like the process of
sanctification – parallel to our call to be holy.”
McClelland now works as a facilitator, doing one-on-one
programs with the men.
Volunteers help mentor the men, and do much of the work
to keep the program operating and the houses in shape.
Contact: www.freedomsdoorkelowna.com.
July 2008
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