Compassionate Addiction Treatment (CAT) is a nonprofit organization serving the downtown area of Spokane, WA. Our mission is to provide compassionate, holistic care to people suffering from substance use disorders in a safe and therapeutic environment. Focused on removing barriers to treatment, people will be empowered to engage in recovery and live life to its fullest potential.

We believe that people living with the disease of addiction are faced with pain every day. Pain from not having the drug and experiencing withdrawals, pain due to the activities done to acquire the drug, pain from the reaction and responses towards them from family and community, pain from trauma that may have occurred earlier in life and at minimal, trauma that has occurred while in active use of substances. Due to this pain, relationships with family, friends and community has been fractured. A person finds themselves often feeling hopeless and disconnected. Our goal is to create a community that helps to heal this pain and reconnect with community. ​

Our vision focuses on street outreach to people in the downtown corridor and periphery who suffer from substance use disorders, a life threatening disease.  We will offer community and connection, supporting our Recovery Community members in building healthy relationships with peers.  Peer support from those who are successfully walking in recovery is key to this vision.  We believe that by building community and connections, people suffering from the disease of addiction will be able to build trust.  With this, we will also offer Intensive Outpatient and Outpatient services as well as Medication for Addiction Treatment, and case management.  Participation in these services is not a requirement for becoming a member of our Recovery Community.

An intended outcome of our vision is not only to improve the health and lives of those with substance use disorders, but also to support downtown Spokane in becoming a healthier, stronger community.  We hope to build partnerships with other organizations and businesses who share our compassion or concern for suffering people, as well as love of our downtown area.

MEET THE FOUNDERS:

"One of the marvelous things about community is that it enables us to welcome and help people in a way we couldn't as individuals. When we pool our strength and share the work and responsibility, we can welcome many people, even those in deep distress, and perhaps help them find self-confidence and inner healing".
Jean Vanier, Community And Growth

Hallie Burchinal, CDP

Working as a Spoke Care Navigator in the Washington State Hub and Spoke grant in Spokane, I've had the opportunity to experience our care system while walking alongside my clients.  Witnessing the struggles faced by my clients who suffer from opioid use disorder, and often chronic homelessness, I've worked to help remove barriers to care.  This project is an extension of this awareness and work. 

Providing recovery community and peer support, while making available low barrier care is crucial to helping people find their way to a healthy, stable, fulfilling life.  My past experience includes working in inpatient with pregnant and parenting moms, with people navigated into inpatient substance use disorder treatment by the Department of Corrections, outpatient counseling with teens, and now working within the emergency departments, with the Fire Department and EMS and street outreach with people with opioid use disorder.

As a previous retail business owner, of twelve years, this knowledge is now helpful in efforts to build this nonprofit.

Outside of work, I value time with family, and exploring the world around me.

“Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot,
Nothing is going to get better. It's not.” 
Dr. Seuss, The Lorax

Trudy Frantz, RN, BSN

Hello!
​
Due to years of working in hospital emergency departments in Seattle and Spokane, I have a strong awareness of the devastation that substance use disorders have on those that are afflicted, as well as the impact on their families and communities.  I decided I want to be part of the solution, and began working as a nurse in a clinic that provides Medication for Addiction Treatment.  Faced with an influx of client referrals, it became obvious that we, as a community, do not yet have enough services available to meet the need of those impacted by the opioid epidemic.

This nonprofit clinic will add additional appointments and resources critically necessary within our community.

I am a Registered Nurse, and have served as a Flight Nurse in the Air Force Reserves.  I bring to this project a strong drive to accomplish our goals, and the ability to organize and implement our mission statement and vision.

I'm the provider to two needy, but lovable, German shepherds, five chickens, and a cat.  I've cycled around the world, and now focus on adventuring in my local environment.

“What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make.”
Jane Goodall

Kelli Eddings, CHW

Working in many career fields has allowed me to work with many different populations.  I have been privileged to work with the general community, military (I'm a retired veteran), security forces, and in customer service. While working in the customer service field I reflected upon a dream I’ve had, which reignited and refocused my passion for helping people.

I returned to school, using my veteran benefits, to obtain my AAS degree and changed my career field. I began working with parents who suffer from substance use disorders and family reunification. It was incredibly rewarding to see parents and children reunited, and CPS cases successfully closed.  My passion for helping the community continues to grow and evolved into a decision to become a Community Health Worker. 

I look forward to using my knowledge to improve the lives of others, and having a positive impact on my community.

I enjoy relaxing and coloring, spending time with family, and time outdoors.