THE SERVANTS ANONYMOUS SOCIETY OF CALGARY (SAS)

For Women Seeking a Program and support - Commonly Asked Questions, & Answers from SAS past participants (alumni):

What is it like to start the SAS program? I am pretty nervous about the whole idea.

Alumni Answer: I arrived at Servants... with a small duffel bag of clothes, and my five year old son. I was also expecting another child. I knew I needed to get my life together and what I'd been doing could not longer be a means of support to myself... I didn't know quite what to expect when I came to the ASK Classroom. I walked into a room filled with girls - some I knew and some I had never met before. I was scared, a bit hesitant at the task that seemed to lie ahead. My son and I were given a room in one of the houses that Servants called "The Front Line Housing". The house was shared with two other girls, and a house mom. What I didn't know was that there would be an out pouring of love from everyone in the "Servants Family" that follows one through on their life journey. - LH

I want help to have my children come home to me - can SAS help me do that?

Alumni Answer: SAS staff will support you in making the appropriate decisions regarding your children; they will support you in your court cases, finding parenting resources, and transitioning your children back home with you. They are not the ones who can determine if your child will be returned and when. - CA

How many other women do I have to share a room with?

Alumni Answer: None. You have your own room with a lock on the door, so you have your own privacy, not like a dorm or anything like that. In your house, there is you, your SAS live-in volunteer, two other women in your house, and kids if people have children. - MH

Can I get into the housing? I don't think I need a day program?

Alumni Answer: To have the SAS housing you need to be willing to do the day program. The thing is, SAS is not an emergency shelter. It is for changing your life. I never thought I needed day program either, but when I started SAS I found out for myself that solving a housing crisis alone does not solve the underlying problem as to why I had no home. The day program helps you sort out why life is going the way it is, and you get new help in changing a lot of things in your life. - MH
Alumni Answer: Part of the housing program is to also feel a sense of support while you are changing your life.--ST

How will I get money for food and the bus?

Alumni Answer: When you start, SAS will help you with these things, and if you are not on SFI they will help you get that started as well. - ST

What are the rules?

Answer: Most of the rules were made by participants and past participants, who gave the staff feedback on what would have helped them more. So, for example when the rule is about being on time, it came from a woman who lost her schooling and student funding when she got kicked out for being late. She's the one who suggested that SAS have make-up time for people who come to class late. Past participants and graduates speak about the rules as a necessary thing to help us learn how to be accountable for our own recoveries, and to learn about structure which is something we seriously lack when we get here. -ST

Will this program help me? Do people make it on their first time usually?

Alumni Answer: Not everyone makes it their first time through. This program has helped many women to leave the sex trade and their addictions behind, but it is an individualized program and you need to put the work in to see the success. Sometimes that means trying and then trying again. - CA
I can't say for sure that it will help you...I know that it helped me...and countless other women who were willing to do what it took to change their lives. It is a program for highly motivated people.-ST

What happens if I relapse?

Alumni Answer: The best thing is to be honest about it, and the staff work with you if you are honest. If you have not relapsed in program before, and are willing to go to treatment, then you need to take 5 days to detox and your SAS program is still going. Come back refocused and with a plan to make it look different this time. However, if you don't tell the truth, if you take someone out with you, if you keep relapsing at SAS with nothing changing, that kind of thing, then you have a time out from the SAS Program. You can reapply when you're ready.- MH

Can I bring my kids?

Alumni Answer: Yes. The houses are set up to allow children in the home, which treatment centres aren't able to do. SAS works with you and your children to create a happy and healthy lifestyle. You are supported with your parenting and child care needs. - CA Alumni Answer: There is onsite daycare provided for your children when you are in the classroom. - ST

What if I get into treatment when my name is near the top of the SAS waiting list - will I lose my spot?

SAS Answer: No. SAS sees anyone who is trying to get to treatment, as someone who is really serious about her recovery. You can be at SAS, or on our waiting list, and be trying to get into treatment at the same time.

What do I need to be able to start?

SAS Answer: 5 days clean.

Does SAS drug test?

Alumni Answer: Yes. There's no drinking or using in this program, actually there's even no association with old friends who are still live. You need to make a break from people who are using, to give yourself a chance to make it. -CA Past participant and alumnae feedback led to this part of the program. Sometimes, as addicts we can lie to ourselves and everyone else about our substance use. When we are in the classroom, these lies affect not only us, but can potentially harm other participants as well. Drug testing is one of the ways that we try to keep people safe here. - ST

What do I do if I need help after I'm done - do I have to re-apply or can I meet with someone?

Alumni Answer: You may want to consider re-entering the program depending on your level of need and the cirrumstances. However if SAS staff can support you in this time of need they will do so without you needing to re-enter the ASK classroom. Their Followcare is forever, so you can be in contact anytime and get support if things are going wrong. - CA

What do I need to do to be successful in this program?

Alumni Answer: In order to make this program successful to me I put the program first (which basically meant to put me first) make recovery my number one priority. If you want to succeed you need to put yourself first, and go to program and learn how to cope without using. - LL
Basically, you need to have a desire to stop the cycle, be in the classroom and participate in your recovery. It is what you make it. - CA
A willingness to do whatever it will take to change your life, and complete honesty will lead to success here. - ST

How do I get on the waiting list?

Alumni Answer: call and make an appointment for a coffee and screening interview. That's your chance to say what you need, and to hear from SAS staff what they offer. Then you can decide if it suits you, and if so, you are ready to start. - ST

Can I talk to an SAS alumni before I start, to ask some questions?

Alumni Answer: Absolutely. SAS alumni are there to support all past, present, and future participants. - ST

What are people who've been at SAS doing now?

Alumni Answer: They are mothers, students, employees. Some are going to school at Mount Royal College, Bow Valley, the University of Calgary, places like that... They are working at medical clinics, law firms, oil and gas companies, HR temp placement businesses, helping people with disabilities, helping people in recovery... As for me personally, today I am a mother and a student as well as many other things. I am a month away from graduating from Mount Royal College as a Child and Youth Care Counsellor, I plan to continue my education with a diploma in addictions, I no longer label myself as a sex trade worker or an addict, as SAS has helped me to become who I am today." - CA
Alumnae and graduates do all of these things and more. They also give back to SAS, and continue to provide hope for participants who have come into the program after them - ST

Is someone ready to enter the SAS system? These indicators can be used:

• The individual is highly motivated and has made a decision to leave the sex trade(she wants this herself, and is not seeking a recovery program as a requirement for xxx)
• The individual has 5 days clean and sober
• The individual is interested in a long term program, including a 6-12 month day program that runs Monday to Friday (versus a drop in client support program)
• The individual is willing and able to call SAS and make an appointment for an interview with the program staff about what she is looking for