Big Sky Times

Demetrius Fassas, the Executive Director of Butte SPIRIT Homes (BSH), has been honored with the 2024 Mignon Waterman Award. This recognition is attributed to his leadership in providing recovery housing services and support for substance use disorder recovery across Montana.

Butte SPIRIT Homes operates as a community-based peer support center managing two adult recovery homes. These facilities offer transitional living for individuals recovering from substance use disorders, providing a safe and drug-free environment approved for "clinically managed low-intensity residential treatment" (ASAM Level 3.1). Fassas co-founded BSH in 2019 with assistance from the Butte recovery community.

"The recovery movement in Montana is on the rise, and I am grateful to be a part of creating systems that are both sustainable and accountable to a high standard of care," said Fassas. He emphasized the importance of peer-driven support networks for early recovery, stating, "It is a great honor to have this work recognized through the Mignon Waterman Award."

Fassas has developed an innovative program combining traditional clinical treatment principles with a peer-driven social model of recovery. His approach focuses on managing the home environment to support residents' recovery efforts.

According to Sean Wisner from BSH's Board of Directors, the program boasts a 90% success rate in maintaining abstinence among graduates.

Fassas' active involvement extends beyond BSH; he has built strong partnerships within Silver-Bow County and across Montana, collaborating with various local entities like health departments and social services. Under his leadership, BSH became Montana Peer Network’s first Affiliate Program adopter.

In addition to his role at BSH, Fassas contributes significantly to several local advisory councils and state initiatives aimed at improving behavioral health policies and practices statewide.

Peter Maney, Director of Recovery Residence Alliance of Montana, praised Fassas' efforts: "Seeing your clinical model turned inside out, with the community at its heart... Whatever ‘it’ is, you’ve got it."

The Mignon Waterman Award was established in 2017 to honor its namesake's legacy as an advocate for behavioral health in Montana. It recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions toward improving behavioral health within the state.