Measure 110 helps expand recovery and treatment services in Western Oregon

A year and a half ago, Melanie McKibbin decided to change jobs so she could share the hope she’d found in recovery with people experiencing homelessness and a cycle of substance abuse.

As a peer support specialist with Albany-based CHANCE Recovery, McKibbin now helps others secure emergency and permanent housing so they can focus on their next step, whether it’s finding a job, joining a support group or getting into a treatment program.

“We’re working with them toward creating a better outcome for themselves,” McKibben said.

The nonprofit organization’s outreach work is supported by Measure 110 funding, which has helped CHANCE expand and bolster services at its locations in Linn, Benton and Lincoln counties, including a small, living wage increase to retain peer support workers such as McKibbin. The funds have also helped the organization move into a bigger office space in its Newport location so it can offer support group and counseling services.

“Without this funding, our organization would be greatly reduced in size and the people we’re able to connect with would be tremendously affected,” said Bryan Decker, CHANCE’s executive director. “In Newport, we were able to increase our staff from two to four and move to a better location, and from serving one to three people a day, to 40 to 50 people a day. In Linn and Benton counties, it’s allowed us to help more people with emergency housing and rental assistance, so people do not become homeless. These are individuals who need support with substance use disorders (SUD), and by them not having to worry first about food or a roof over their head – it allows them to focus on overcoming their SUD and what’s next on their track to overcome addiction, get employed, secure housing and become independent.”

Receiving support from peers such as McKibbin who speak from lived experience has its own benefit.

“It helps build trust because you’re not in a position of authority,” McKibben said. “You’re there to guide them, and it’s through lived experience that you’re helping them. As a peer, you’re also aware of barriers that they may experience or put up. I also hope that it is inspiring to show that it’s possible to overcome those barriers. A better life is possible. You have to work toward it, but it can be done.”

McKibben also runs CHANCE’s hotel program in Linn County, which provides emergency housing and helps clients find more permanent housing solutions. It’s not an easy job given rent prices and lack of affordable housing supply. But the success stories fuel her work.

“One of my favorites is this 67-year-old veteran. Working with other community partners, we were able to secure him housing, and he celebrated his first Christmas with his first Christmas tree in nine years in his own place,” McKibbin said. “He’s done an amazing job, and I’m grateful for him.”

CHANCE also connected him to other services for which he was unaware he qualified, such as Veteran’s Administration benefits. Through her role, McKibbin sees firsthand how Measure 110 funding has improved the outreach CHANCE can provide—an outcome she feels is often overshadowed by other aspects of Measure 110.

“I really wish the public would focus on the good that Measure 110 does instead of focusing on the public drug use. It’s really frustrating because it’s so much more than that,” McKibben said. “It’s about Maslov’s hierarchy of needs and helping with those basic needs – shelter, food, safety – and the funding with Measure 110 allows us to help with that so they can focus more on getting into treatment and working their program. That’s been a lifesaver for individuals.”