Sophia Recovery House in Saint John offers counselling exclusively for women by women in recovery, and now the centre has opened a mobile outreach program in Charlotte County

Sheila Walker, who is based in Saint Andrews and is Sophia Recovery Centre's newest hire, is working as a mobile outreach worker. She meets up with with women in safe places close to where they live and is also a part of creating local support groups in Charlotte County communities. There is a currently a support group that meets every Thursday evening in Saint Andrews (and over Zoom during the COVID-19 pandemic). Walker considers her own personal history with addiction and recovery a serious asset when helping other women embark on their own journey of recovery.

"My past is a true asset because I can relate," says Walker, who takes part in the Thursday evening women's group not just as a representative of Sophia Recovery Centre but as a woman in recovery. "At the women's group, we do a weekly check-in with each other and also read from 'A Woman's Way Through the Twelve Steps' by Stephanie Covington."

Julie Altkinson, Executive Director of Sophia Recovery Centre, says interest in services offered by Sophia have more than doubled during the time of the COVID-19 pandemic.

"Women have dealt with additional stresses this year, and we've definitely seen interest in our programs grow during this time," says Atkinson.

If you are a women who is currently struggling with addiction or is looking to find a recovery community specifically for women in Southwest New Brunswick, visit sophiarecoverycentre.com.