The Mothering Project aims to break cycle of addiction

Two years ago,when Stephanie Wesley walked through the doors of The Mothering Project,she was at rock bottom.

While detoxing from an addiction to crack cocaine, prescription pills and alcohol, Wesleysaid shelearned she was in the early stages of pregnancy.

"I had a black cloud not only in my head but following me everywhere I went," Wesley told Marcy Markusa of CBC's Information Radio.

"Just that one positive move I made by coming here was the biggest step of my life."

"Here"is The Mothering Project, a small team operating out of Mount Carmel Clinic in Winnipeg's North End.

Just four full-time employees and two part-timersprovide a range of services from midwifery tohousing supporton amodest programing budget of $30,000 a year.

'Prairie' approach hasbig impact

"We're pretty 'prairie' about the way we run our program," saidMargaret Bryans, a nurse and program manager at TheMothering Project.

Currently the program israising funds to build the Manito Ikwe Kagiikwe Infant Centre, whichwould include a badly neededinfant daycareto give new moms a chance to go to school or work.

So far the foundation has raised just over $1.5 million and is hoping to raisean additional $500,000 to $700,000. They are holding a benefit concert May 2 at the West End Cultural Centre.

Building meaningful relationshipsiskey

According to Bryans, the successbehindThe Mothering Project is taking time to get to know each client's situation and figure out where the gaps are. In other words,building relationships.

"If she needs some housing we will help find housing, if she needs to get in touch with her CFSworker we will do that," she said.

"The difference for people is we are really committed to walking through the muck. We step into the hard stuff with our participants."

That "hard stuff" includestrauma andsuicidal thoughts, as well asworking with mothers who have to give up their newborn babies to Child and Family Services (CFS).

Reducing harm for women a 'privilege'

Bryans calls it a "privilege" to walk with women and be a witness to their struggles.

As forWesley, she'sgrateful The Mothering Project took the time to get to know her and remember her story.

"I tried to get help in the past, going to see psychologists, counselors," saidWesley.

"You have to repeat yourself and start from square one over and over. Just to be able to get it all out on the table I'm just going to stick with these women as long as I can."

So far, in its two years of operation, The Mothering Project has assisted 49 pregnant women likeWesley. All their clients were using drugs or trying to white-knuckle it through pregnancy.

All were on social assistance or had no income. As of today,47 per cent of mothers using the programreport a reduction or elimination of substance use. More than50 per cent were able to take their babies home.

Bryans is the first to say that not all women are able to "get clean"for their pregnancies.

But even in cases where a woman continues to use, she said a lot can be done to make her pregnancy as healthy as possible for example, byfiguring out less harmful substances women can take as alternatives to street drugs, providing nutritious foods,and making sure they have top-notch prenatal care.

Mom says organizationprobably saved her life

Wesley is convinced that if she didn't have The Mothering Project,she would have had her baby taken awayand would have ended up back on the street. She fears she may have even died.

"I can guarantee you, if I wouldn't have taken the steps to come here, I don't think I would be here. The cycle I was in was horrible," she said.

Part of what allows The Mothering Project to break the cycle of addiction is the "kind"attitude workers show clients,Bryans said.

In a world that judges these women at every turn, Bryans said it isessential to create arelationship wheremoms feel they can beopen about what they are going through to get the help they need.

Women among 'most stigmatized'

"Women who are pregnant, who are using drugs and alcohol are one of the most stigmatized groups in our community," she said.

"It's hard for people to get really good prenatal care, where they actually get to tell people what's going on for them, without feeling worried about [CFS]or being judged."

Today,Stephanie Wesley is in social housing, which has allowed her to attend addictions meetings. Workers with The Mothering Project are now looking tosupport her wish topursue education now that her 1-year-olddaughter is healthy.

When asked what her favourite thing is about being a mom, Wesley answers,"Everything. It's such an accomplishment seeing her happy, her happiness is my everything."

Listen to CBCInformation Radio host Marcy Markusa's feature interviews with Stephanie Wesley and Margaret Bryans on Tuesday, April 28,at 7:50 a.m. on 89.3FM.