Recovery Community Organization (RCO)

WHAT IS A RECOVERY COMMUNITY ORGANIZATION?

THE POWER OF COMMUNITY

Nearly 22 million Americans suffer from addiction to alcohol and other drugs. Addiction is the number one cause of preventable deaths. The modern recovery movement seeks to change this by erasing shame and stigma, getting individuals and families the help they need, and building support to sustain recovery. Walk The Road Media. is committed to organizing, advocating, and bringing the power and promise of recovery to individuals and families across the state of Wisconsin, community by community.

RECOVERY COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS (RCOS) help bridge the gap between professional treatment and building healthy and successful lives in long-term recovery. They increase the visibility and influence of the recovery community and engage in one or more of four core strategies:

1. Educating the public about the reality of recovery
2. Advocating on behalf of the recovery community
3. Delivering peer recovery support services
4. Providing / Developing a Social Recovery Support Network

WHAT IS RECOVERY CAPITAL?

RECOVERY CAPITAL is “the breadth and depth of internal and external resources that can be drawn upon to initiate and sustain recovery from severe alcohol and other drug problems.” Recovery capital provides “the potential antidote for problems that have long plagued recovery efforts: insufficient motivation to change alcohol and drug use, emotional distress, pressure to use within intimate and social relationships, interpersonal conflict, and other situations that pose risks for relapse.”

THREE CORE PRINCIPLES OF RCOS

The Three core principles of RCOs include (1) Recovery Vision, (2) Authentic Voice, and (3) Accountability to the Recovery Community.

1. RECOVERY VISION: All RCOs share a Recovery Vision that focuses on the solution to the addiction problem, which is recovery. An RCO’s primary goal should be to enhance the supports and services available to people seeking and sustaining (or “living in”) long-term recovery from addiction. This includes embracing an “all pathways approach” to recovery. RCO’s work centers around influencing public and private policies at the local, state and federal levels aimed at helping individuals and family members get the help they need to recover. That includes access to effective treatment, as well as peer and other recovery support services. Strategies and tactics to remove discriminatory policies leveled against (or “faced by”) individuals and family members impacted by addiction are at the forefront of calls to action.
2. AUTHENTIC VOICE: All RCOs share an Authentic Voice which means that the interests of the community are represented by organizations that draw their leadership from members of the recovery community. In other words, most board members, staff, and volunteers are members of the local recovery community. This safeguards against competing interests and ensures that the voice of the RCO is valid.
3. ACCOUNTABLE TO THE RECOVERY COMMUNITY: All RCOs are Accountable to the Recovery Community and as such, are subject to being responsible and sensitive to its needs. To ensure that accountability, RCOs are independent, nonprofit 501-C (3) organizations with autonomy to members, and relationships and partnerships with external recovery allies – most often local councils, community prevention coalitions, and treatment or diversion programs in the health or court systems. This is all to say that RCOs are not influenced by clinical or legal entities but rather speak with the authentic voice of the recovery community.

RCOs engage and recruit members from the local community who are in recovery, family members of individuals currently or formerly addicted (who may or may not be anonymous), and friends and other allies of the recovery community who are committed to eliminating the stigma and discrimination society has attached to addiction. They see their RCOs to give back to their communities; to seek recovery and work with allied organizations by offering recovery support services; and others who wish to advocate on common public policy agendas, - broadening public understanding of the reality of recovery while remaining accountable to the recovery community.”

 

OTHER KEY PRINCIPLES INCLUDE:

• Mutual trust and respect for all participants
• Recognition of strengths and contributions of all participants
• Shared leadership, decision-making power, resources and credit among members
• Assurance that each member is treated equally
• Promise of a safe environment for clear and open communication that values feedback from all members
• Respect for the knowledge and expertise of members
• Belief that community input is essential
• Commitment to the value of diversity
• Understanding that relationships must be nurtured and that they evolve and change.

CORE STRATEGIES OF RCO

THE POWER OF COMMUNITY

The core strategies of RCO include key tactics to foster recovery-focused values and communities and advance mission

1. PUBLIC EDUCATION AND AWARENESS takes many forms and includes changing the negative perceptions of people with a history of addiction (and their families) by replacing the tragic images and stories of active addiction with the life-affirming stories of hope achieved through the process of recovery. Personal stories have power, and when individuals share their stories of life in recovery from addiction to alcohol and other drugs, they kick the shame and stigma to the curb. It is estimated that there are 23.5 million Americans who have found a new and wonderful life through any number of the multiple pathways of recovery. One fact they all know to be true is that hope is the solution to addiction. When we highlight the solution with stories of recovery, we educate the community and begin to break down the long-held stereotypes about people who are (or have been) addicted. Ultimately, we change discriminatory practices that serve as barriers and we create a culture of recovery focused on hope and healing. We do this by hosting a variety of recovery-focused events in the community. Events like Recovery Arts Festivals, Recovery Walks, Sober 4th of July picnics and First Night celebrations, screenings of recovery-focused films, etc. As these events become somewhat regular, public perception about addiction and it impacts will begin to change.

 

2. TWO TYPES OF ADVOCACY (Individual & Systemic) involve the practice of influencing government policy.

• Individual: Advocates influence policy to increase access to recovery supports and services, can build recovery capital in communities.
• Systematic: Partnerships can be developed with members in the State Assembly, Senate and Governor’s office that result in education services to support long-term recovery planning for people with an alcohol and/or drug addiction, as well as the expansion of mandatory insurance coverage for people diagnosed with an alcohol or drug addiction.

 

3. DELIVER PEER-BASED RECOVERY SUPPORT SERVICES RCOs are transforming the way communities build and sustain recovery by delivering an assortment of peer recovery support services. These include recovery coaches, family support navigators, phone and web recovery services, all-recovery meetings, SMART-Recovery, wellness programs (mindfulness, meditation, yoga, etc.), faith-based recovery meetings, in addition to a host of other services organized and delivered by trained volunteers and / or paid staff.
4. SOCIAL RECOVERY SUPPORT NETWORK In some cases, RCOs provide oversight for the growing network of Recovery Community and Outreach Centers (RCOCs) – also known as Recovery Community Centers (RCCs), or Youth Clubhouses (YCHs) - which provide a centralized hub for community-wide, safe and sober social activities, workshops, recovery meetings, and resource connections for individuals, family members, friends and other allies of the recovery community.

 

5. ADDITIONAL ACTIVITIES

• Fundraising and membership development: In order to grow and sustain RCO programs and services, RCOs must invite and encourage public and private charitable donations for community-based recovery support; cultivate volunteer involvement, and engage friends and other allies in recovery efforts within the local community.
• Recovery research development: The development of strategies for sustainable recovery and peer support. Members of the recovery community must participate in the research process. Researchers should work side-by-side with individuals and family members to identify a problem and develop and implement a plan to learn more about the problem. Upon evaluation, results and recommendations are presented to the larger community and a plan of action is developed to address the problem.
• Educational campaigns: targeted to legislators, policymakers, service providers, public agencies, and the general public about the multiple pathways of recovery. Again, education about addiction and recovery will help to eliminate stigma and break down barriers to recovery.
• Needs assessment: The implementation of surveys and other forms of valid and reliable assessment tools which help to improve the adequacy and quality of local recovery support services, which may include health and human services.
• Resource assessment: Taking continual inventories of strengths, assets and other resources that might be beneficial to the recovery community.
• Advocacy on local, state and national levels: Inspire activism around the slogan “nothing about us without us” – so that representatives of the recovery community are at the table for all major discussions and decisions regarding policies that impact their community.
• Leadership development: Developed for individuals and family members in recovery, as well as friends and other allies of recovery, to develop a collective voice, skills and responsibilities, as well as community partnerships.

 

Walk The Road Media

Our mission is to help any adult living with mental illness in the Eau Claire area achieve wellness, stability, and fullness of life. Walk The Road Media. provides a sanctuary environment with individual and group peer support, education, advocacy, and socialization. Adults living with mental health disorders will have opportunities to engage in mental health recovery and participate in the larger community of Eau Claire and the Chippewa Valley.

PEER-RUN

Walk The Road Media. is a peer-run mental health recovery center for people who live with severe or persistent mental health disorders. We define “peers” as people with similar circumstances or experiences that are related to living with a mental health disorder(s). Peer-run identifies Walk The Road Media. as an organization that is managed and operated by the people who use the Resource Center. Many of us have found recovery from our condition by learning to identify and manage our symptoms. This experience gives us a unique perspective that accepts and empathizes with the personal struggles of others as they work toward recovery.

Mental Health Recovery is defined as:

A process of change through which individuals improve their health and wellness, live a self-directed life, and strive to reach their full potential. 
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service Administration, 2012

We are not professional counselors or therapists. We are people who have found a meaningful recovery of our lives, and we seek to share our hope and experience to support others who wish to find the same.

 

Our services focus on helping people to:

Attain a productive and fulfilling life regardless of the level of health others assumed as attainable. 
Using Pro-covery to Heal Mental Illness, Kathleen Crowley 2004

 

WHAT IS MENTAL ILLNESS?

What is commonly known as Mental Illness is best defined as “A condition that affects a person's thinking, feeling, or mood. Such conditions may affect someone's ability to relate to others and function each day." National Alliance on Mental Illness.

Mental health disorders are not a sign of weakness, poor character, upbringing, or moral values. Research suggests there may be multiple linking causes. Biochemical processes of the brain, or neuropathway circuits and basic brain structure are thought to be the cause. Genetics, environment and lifestyle can also influence whether someone develops a mental health condition. A stressful job or home life can make some people more susceptible. Many people with mental health disorders have experienced traumatic events in their life.
- Learn more at: nami.org/Learn-More/Mental-Health-Conditions

Mental health is defined by the World Health Organization as “A state of well-being in which an individual realizes his or her own potential, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to her or his community”.

RECOVERY CENTER

A Mental Health Recovery Center is a place where:

• The environment promotes the ideals of recovery
• People feel safe, respected, and accepted
• Recovery principles are taught and demonstrated
• People living with mental health disorders can find hope and support that make recovery possible.

 

SERVICES AVAILABLE : All Services are Free

Informal Peer Support

• Talk with other people who have similar challenges
• Peer-led groups of people sharing their strengths, struggles, and hope

Formal Peer Support

• Provided by trained and certified Peer Support Specialists
• Help with Person Centered Planning
• Assess and support personal strengths

Educational support

• Pro-active self-care planning
• Identifying new coping skills
• Advocacy for self and others
• Vocational assistance and job seeking help

Activities

• Creative Arts
• Arts & Crafts
• Games

Self-help resources

• Resource Library of Books, DVD’s, CD’s
• Webinars, Podcasts, Speakers

Socialization

• Fun social activities, field trips and outings
• Statewide conferences, seminars and training

 

Walk The Road Media is a 501 c3 Non-Profit Organization.

Established in 2022, our mission was formed in response to worldwide pandemic, racial inequity, and political divide. Adaptation occurs when a challenge presents itself. Our objective is to provide peer support and mentorship to individuals that helps them find the intervention suitable for their lives so that they can achieve the most sustainable, healthy, and productive adaptation possible.

 

We can make a difference.

One of our roles at Walk The Road Media is providing peer support and mentorship services to individuals who are enrolled in the Comprehensive Community Services (CCS) program. We tailor our sessions to each individual, with an emphasis on physical movement to build connection. We also rely on creative process, forms of artistic expression, and open communication as ways of harnessing the healing nature of healthy relationships. Research shows that peer support may result in increased empowerment and hope, increased social functioning, increased engagement and activation in treatment, increased community engagement, and increased quality of life and life satisfaction (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, 2017).

At Walk The Road Media, the transformative power of mentorship takes place at the individual level. Using a trauma-informed lens, and a person-centered, strengths-based approach, we tailor services to the needs of the participant to provide clients with the tools they need to achieve their goals.

Research on peer support shows increases in empowerment, hope, social functioning, community engagement, activation in treatment, and overall quality of life and satisfaction (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, 2017).

Our work emphasizes physical movement, artistic expression and creativity, and prioritizes fun, practical, and applicable activities to help clients build interpersonal connections, forge healthy relationships, increase self-efficacy, and improve daily living skills.

The majority of Walk The Road Media mentors have lived experience. Having been through it themselves, mentors can meet someone wherever they are in life and guide them toward greater self-determination and fulfillment. Person-centered care is specific to the participant and allows us to advocate for and work with individuals of all ages and backgrounds.

 

Curious to learn more? We provide services to individuals enrolled in the Comprehensive Community Services program, facilitated at the County level throughout the State of Wisconsin. Programming is available for all ages. To find out if you are eligible, visit Comprehensive Community Services (CCS) Wisconsin Department of Health Services online. Questions? Reach out to us below, and we’ll help connect you to the proper resources.

Comprehensive Community Services (CCS) is a voluntary psychosocial rehabilitation program designed for individuals coping with mental health and/or substance use conditions. Individuals enrolled in CCS work with a team of professionals to decide which programs and support will help them reach their recovery goals.

Our Public Awareness and Education service provides public speaking engagements and presentations delivered by speakers with lived experience, while including relevant data and best practices to address the needs of communities.

Walk The Road Media was founded in 2022 as a movement, and while our objective is to provide peer support and mentorship to individuals, we know we’re stronger together. That’s why we offer resources and guidance to anyone seeking to address the needs of their communities, on an individual and organizational level.

Public Awareness and Education

By pairing lived experience in the field with relevant research and data, speakers deliver an engaging, informative presentation on current social and cultural issues and how best to address the needs of the community.

Organizational Wellness Consulting

By first assessing the health of the existing organization, we’re able to develop wellness strategies tailored to the needs of the client. Bringing a person-centered approach to business helps increase employee satisfaction and organizational productivity.

Tenant Success Consulting

Develop and design a program to support high-risk, high-need tenants in fostering independence and individual living skills to ensure consistent, long-term success. For landlords, these programs reduce concerns surrounding maintenance and the likelihood of eviction, while supporting individuals in accessing community resources for additional support. For counties, the tailored approach can enhance positive outcomes throughout the community.

Our respite services prioritize the individual’s needs. Walk The Road Media, in conjunction with the care team within CCS and CLTS, provides individuals with a safe space and a container for mentorship. The ability to rest or take a break from the stressors of their daily environment offers an opportunity for a reset, and an additional layer of support for the care team, to help encourage collective progress and development toward the individual’s goals.

At Walk The Road Media, our skilled Respite Providers are often the closest point of contact outside of friends and family. Our organization empowers providers with lived experience who led with a trauma-informed, person-centered, strengths-based approach. Relationships are built on a bedrock of trust and respect, and providers offer a highly skilled array of services rarely found at other organizations. We work on personal, professional, and life skills development in both a home setting and within the community, encouraging growth in all aspects of their lives.

Mentorship is the missing piece to improving access to housing. Walk The Road Media partners with Next Generation Mentors to offer Tenant Support Mentorship to individuals in CCS, providing individual living skills and development to support tenants in their daily living tasks. The person-centered, trauma-informed approach is tailored to the individual and their goals, focusing on everything from finance and budgeting to hygiene and nutrition. While we focus on the tenant, our services indirectly assist the owner or landlord, ensuring their tenant has the tools they need to succeed.

Acquiring and maintaining stable housing is an essential foundation for every individual. By establishing a rental history and consistent living conditions, they now have a platform on which to develop, build, and better their lives. Walk The Road Media and Next Generation Mentors provide personalized guidance and support to ensure positive outcomes.

Therapeutic Excursions are where challenges and actions meet to foster change. By going out and facing unknown challenges with a dedicated care team, participants are able to apply learned tools and emerge from the experience feeling successful and empowered.

Walk The Road Media creates a safe, supportive, structured, fun, challenging, and fast-paced environment, such as hiking, climbing, canoeing, or backpacking. Within this context, youth experience challenges: meet and interact with peers, listen and follow instructions, and face obstacles in the environment, all of which becomes a microcosm of what they experience at home, school, or in the community. Our trauma-informed, person-centered approach allows participants to be supported in processing and overcoming challenges, thereby increasing self-efficacy, mindfulness, patience, comfort with new environments and experiences, emotional regulation and frustration tolerance, teamwork and cooperation, communication skills, interpersonal relationships, anxiety management, and much more.

The therapeutic milieu is a structure environment that creates a safe, secure place for people who are in therapy. The therapeutic environment supports the individual in their process toward recovery and wellness, involving both the provision of safe physical surroundings, and the supportive therapists and staff. We coordinate with the participants’ treatment goals, providers, and family needs and concerns to create an environment that balance’s structure and spontaneity, with minimal work for families and service facilitators. The combined elements of positive peer influence, trust, safety, and repetition create an ideal setting that’s fun, engaging, and contributes to progress and development of ongoing therapeutic goals.

 

Role of the Services Facilitator and Counselors

Prior to the excursion, the youth’s service facilitator or counselor should discuss the trip with the participant to build excitement, review the activities, highlight challenge by choice (if there are reservations). We don’t make participants do things that are too far outside of comfort zone, but we do set up a scenario where they can experience the success of attempting tough things even if they don’t complete them (e.g., “if you make it to the top – perhaps the route was too easy”). The service facilitator or counselor should discuss the participant’s personal goals and how these might relate to excursion activities and objectives. Service notes from excursion therapist and Individual Skill Development and Enhancement (ISDE) will highlight connections between ongoing treatment goals, excursion interventions, and insights to integrate into treatment going forward.