By Christina Mersereau

Courtney Atsalakis and her team of passionate supporters from the Amber Reineck House Foundation furnished the house and paid the first and last month’s rent. The beds are made with donated linens, and the cupboards are stocked with food. All that needs to happen now is the clients must come, and they will. 

As the only women’s MAT house in Washtenaw County, the 6 beds are sure to fill up quickly. Sadly, this is due to the opiod epidemic that continues unabated county and nationwide. 

With the opening of the new house, however, there is reason to be hopeful, though Home of New Vision’s staff knows they have their work cut out for them. 

Medication Assisted Treatment means that an individual is being treated with certain prescriptions to help in their recovery. These medicines are Methadone, Suboxone and Vivitrol. 

HNV has always said that we support any pathway. It was important to us to programmatically address this need. 

“It can be a trigger for someone with opiate use disorder to be housed with another person with OUD, who has chosen a different pathway. Also, most residential programs will not take on a client in MAT, so there is a gap that needs to be filled,” says HNV’s Recovery Housing Manager. 

In addition to medication, the residents, like all HNV residents, receive case management, peer support, supervision of medication by staff, links to community services, and assistance in seeking employment. The clients are encouraged to work and get back into a “normal” routine so they can integrate with the community and be productive and successful in life. 

The cost is $130/week. Women can apply at homeofnewvision.org or by calling 734-975-1602.