It all began with a simple question – one that’s been changing lives ever since.
When Kris Allen from 432 Health Group reached out to Siloam, he wanted to understand how local healthcare partners could better support people accessing services in the community. Through those conversations, a deeper need came into focus: many people experiencing homelessness and addiction had limited access to care that could help them move toward stability and recovery.
Recognizing the gap in care, teams from 432 Health Group, NeuroMed Mental Health & Wellness Clinic, and Siloam’s Saul Sair Health Centre came together to establish a community-based Opioid Agonist Therapy (OAT) program, bringing this essential care directly to people seeking sobriety and stability. OAT uses medications to reduce cravings and withdrawal symptoms, supporting individuals as they take meaningful steps forward in their recovery.
The low-barrier, community-based program that offers more than treatment. It offers compassion, connection, and dignity. “People who once felt shut out of the healthcare system are now getting the help they need – and beginning to hope again,” says Heidi, the Nurse Practitioner leading the program.
The OAT clinic is more than a place to receive medication. It is a safe, welcoming space where recovery begins with trust, and where a kind word or steady presence can be as meaningful as the medicine itself.
“Sometimes that first dose isn’t just medication,” says Jordan, the pharmacist who journeys with clients through recovery. “It’s hope.”
What makes Siloam’s approach unique is accessibility. Care happens right where people already are – no appointments, no long waits, no bus rides across town. Someone might come in for a meal and, before they leave, receive their medication along with encouragement from the team.
This one-stop approach has become a lifeline, helping around 30 people each day access the care and stability they need. The team also partners with nearby shelters, hospitals, and community agencies to ensure continuity of care, creating a network that keeps people supported, connected, and out of crisis.
The results are deeply meaningful: people finding stability, reconnecting with family, and moving into homes of their own. Each story is a reminder of what is possible when care is delivered with dignity and heart.
Siloam Mission’s OAT program reflects a simple truth: when we meet people where they are – without judgment – healing truly begins.
If you’d like to learn more about the Opioid Agonist Therapy (OAT) program, please contact us at communications@siloam.ca or call 204-956-4344.
