A season of thanks, stories of strength, and ways to get involved
A Note from the FRCO Collective
As we welcome November, a season to pause and give thanks, we are reminded of the strength, resilience, and sense of community that shape every recovery journey. Each step forward, no matter how small, reflects courage, determination, and the support of those around us. This month, we celebrate the achievements of our participants and honor the people who make those successes possible: our volunteers, staff, families, and friends.
At the heart of everything we do is a simple truth: recovery is strongest when people feel supported and connected. Our updated mission statement reflects that truth in a single, powerful sentence:
“Fellowship Recovery Community Organization’s mission is to provide support and connection to people seeking recovery in our community.”
This concise statement captures who we are and what we do, strengthening our outreach and reminding both our team and the community we serve of the impact of connection, compassion, and action.
As Thanksgiving approaches, we reflect on the many blessings in our lives: our health, our community, and the small victories that collectively create hope and momentum. Let us celebrate not only what we have achieved but also the support and care that make every step of recovery possible.
Thank you for being part of our community. Your courage, dedication, and openness to growth inspire us every day. Together, we continue to move forward, one step at a time, in hope and in recovery.
If you missed past newsletters, you can view this and all previous editions on our website at the Recovery In Action blog: https://fellowshiprco.org/recovery-in-action/
-The FRCO Collective
October 2025 Recovery Update: Growth, Impact & Hope
Honoring our Veterans
Who Strengthen Our Recovery Community
Why Their Experience Matters In Recovery
Join us as we offer our profound appreciation to all veterans in our community, but especially those in the recovery community, and in particular, our veteran staff at FRCO. Because you walk the walk, your service and your journey in recovery help illuminate a powerful path for others still fighting. Your stories and your recovery carry more weight than you might imagine. For many veterans, the battle doesn’t end when they come home: the invisible wounds, the trauma, and the stress of civilian life can manifest in substance use, mental health challenges, and co-occurring conditions like PTSD.
Approximately 2.8 million veterans, or 14% of all U.S. veterans, had a substance use disorder (SUD) in the past year, and over 5 million experienced a behavioral health condition. A significant overlap exists, with 1.1 million veterans having both an SUD and a mental illness, and veterans with an SUD being 3–4 times more likely to also have a mental health diagnosis, such as depression or PTSD.
These are staggering numbers and they underscore why having people with lived experience matters so deeply. When a veteran staff member at FRCO (someone who has navigated their own recovery after service) offers support, mentorship, or simply a listening ear, it isn’t just professional guidance. It’s something more: a bridge built on shared understanding, empathy, and hard-earned wisdom. Certified Recovery Peer Support Specialists for veterans are people who have walked similar paths, and shared similar experiences which makes a significant difference when offering help to other veterans as they navigate through the barriers of their recovery.
Because of you, Sara, John, Jerome, Josh, and Max others in recovery can see what’s possible: not just surviving, but rebuilding, healing, and reconnecting. Your presence gives others hope, and your service in recovery represents a powerful second act.
Recovery is hard work, and for veterans who struggle with co-occurring conditions (like PTSD and substance use) it can feel especially lonely. But with your example, you are showing that strength, service, and recovery aren’t mutually exclusive. You are proof that helping others heal is part of continuing to serve.
This Veterans Day, and every day, we thank you. Your dedication, your vulnerability, and your commitment to recovery make FRCO stronger, more compassionate, and more capable of supporting every person who walks through our doors.
Employee Spotlight
A Journey of Courage and Renewal
Hi, my name is Taylor and I’m a woman in recovery from a substance use disorder. In my current role as Admissions Coordinator at Fellowship RCO, I work more behind the scenes to ensure our intake and discharge processes run smoothly and consistently. I review documentation and help keep everything looking clear and uniform. Over the years I’ve held multiple positions within the organization, but this role has allowed me to support the team in a way that feels meaningful and gives me the opportunity to see the bigger picture of things.
I recently celebrated five years clean on November 2nd, and my recovery journey is at the heart of who I am today. Before getting clean, I was stuck in a toxic cycle of pain, disappointment, and emptiness. I kept repeating the same patterns and running from consequences instead of facing them. Everything shifted when my mom told me the cops were looking for me again. In that moment, it felt like God showed up and told me exactly what I needed to do. I reached out to family members I hadn’t spoken to in years, and even though they owed me nothing, they didn’t hesitate when I asked for help. They sent me to Florida to start over, and I am forever grateful that I was given that opportunity. Becoming an active member of Narcotics Anonymous has been foundational in my recovery. Working the NA steps, practicing meditation, being part of the best home group ever and learning to be patient with myself have helped me grow into someone I never believed I could be.
Recovery has transformed me both personally and professionally. For most of my life, I saw myself as a failure and wouldn’t even attempt the things I wanted for myself because I was certain I couldn’t do them. Whether it was school, work, or simple hobbies, I gave up before I ever began. Recovery changed that by giving me permission to try, to fail, and to learn. I found my voice through this process, and Fellowship Recovery Community Organization has taught me how to use it, even when I’m afraid or don’t feel important enough to do so. Today I know my voice matters, and I know I am valued. That growth motivates me every day, and even small achievements keep me focused on my goals and remind me how far I’ve come.
One of the things I’m most excited about in my professional life right now is the opportunity to participate in CIT training and speak with law enforcement. Having once been on the other side of this disease and having asked for help with no resources offered, I’m passionate about being the resource I wish I had. Looking ahead, I’m also excited about my academic journey. I recently changed my major from Drug and Alcohol Counseling to Business, and my goal is to maintain my 4.0 GPA and continue working toward graduation.
Outside of work and school, my favorite way to unwind after a busy day is spending time with my husband, Andy, and our dog, Topper. Whether we’re relaxing, watching TV, playing around the house, or going to the park, simply being with them fills my cup. They are two of my biggest joys and a huge part of what keeps me grounded and clean. My advice for anyone struggling on their journey is this: give yourself a chance to fail, because you might be surprised by how often you succeed. And even when you don’t, it’s not failure, it’s a learning experience, and you always get to try again.
#GivingTuesday is Almost Here...
And Early Giving Starts Now!
This year, we’re focusing our #GivingTuesday efforts on strengthening our Back to Work Program, which supports individuals living with substance use disorder and co-occurring mental health conditions as they prepare to reenter the workforce. Your early gift helps provide vocational training, professional clothing, job-readiness support, and the essential resources people need to step into employment with confidence.
You don’t have to wait for December 2nd, early giving is open now!
Every contribution helps someone take their next step toward stability, independence, and long-term recovery.
Make an early gift today and help empower someone’s journey back to work.
FRCO Programming
Meaningful Experiences that Strengthen Recovery and Building Community
Stories, Learning, and Literacy: Building Recovery Through Knowledge
At Fellowship Recovery Community Organization (FRCO), we believe recovery is nurtured through connection, purpose, and meaningful experiences that support the whole person. Every program we offer whether educational, therapeutic, or community-focused is designed to empower individuals to grow, rebuild confidence, and stay engaged in their recovery journey. This month, we are proud to highlight several initiatives, developed and strengthened in partnership with Nova Southeastern University, that continue to foster personal development, wellness, and long-term stability.
The FRCO Recovery Book Club, Back-to-School initiatives supports literacy outreach for individuals in recovery from substance use disorder and co-occurring conditions. We work collectively with participants to demonstrate how education and storytelling empower recovery. Through the Book Club, participants connect over shared stories that spark conversation, deepen emotional insight, and strengthen peer bonds, while educational support helps individuals navigate academic goals from technical certifications to college pathways boosting confidence, employment opportunities, and a sense of purpose. Extending this work beyond the local community, FRCO and Nova Southeastern University graduate students compile research for a proposed publication on the impact of literacy in recovery, aiming to inspire similar programs nationwide. By intertwining literacy, education, and community connection, FRCO fosters lasting personal growth and sustained recovery, showing how learning itself can be a lifeline.
FRCO Back-to-Work Program: Breaking Barriers, Building Confidence, and Restoring Independence
Returning to the workforce is a powerful milestone in a person’s recovery journey. Employment provides stability, purpose, confidence, and a renewed sense of identity; all essential components of long-term wellness. Through our Back-to-Work Program, FRCO Recovery Navigators walk alongside participants every step of the way, helping them overcome obstacles and access the tools needed to succeed.
Many participants face practical challenges that can make securing a job feel out of reach, from lacking essential documents like Social Security cards, birth certificates, or state-issued photo IDs to needing guidance on workplace readiness. FRCO Recovery Navigators work one-on-one with individuals to remove these barriers, ensuring participants are fully prepared and eligible for new employment opportunities. In addition, FRCO leverages community partnerships with organizations such as Second Chance Society and Goodman Jewish Family Services’ Rak-Pak to provide critical support for interview clothing, uniforms, and other essentials that help participants present themselves with confidence and professionalism.
To further empower individuals entering or reentering the workforce, FRCO offers Technology Basics training to teach fundamental computer skills, enabling participants to navigate online applications, email communication, and workplace technology with ease. Recovery Navigators also provide hands-on coaching and role-playing for interview preparation, covering common questions, professional communication, and workplace expectations, which helps participants feel confident and ready to succeed. Meeting basic needs remains central to the program, and weekly clothing requests submitted to JFS Rak-Pak, along with additional emergency donations, ensure participants are prepared for daily life, employment, and community participation. Clothing assistance does more than fill a closet; it restores dignity, builds independence, and creates meaningful moments of encouragement that help individuals rebuild their lives while moving forward in recovery.
FRCO Wellness Programs
Recovery is strengthened through experiences that engage the mind, body, and spirit. One of the most impactful programs we offer is animal-assisted therapy in partnership with Lucky Horse Sanctuary, where participants connect with animals in a peaceful, supportive environment. These co-facilitated sessions provide a safe space to practice emotional regulation, stress management, and mindfulness, while fostering trust and reflection. Interacting with horses allows participants to slow down, engage with the present moment, and build confidence, creating therapeutic breakthroughs that are difficult to achieve in traditional settings.
FRCO’s holistic approach to wellness extends beyond therapy to include creative and social experiences that cultivate connection and joy. Full Moon gatherings offer opportunities for meditation and personal exploration, while the Recovery Art Lounge encourages artistic expression and emotional release through painting, drawing, and other creative activities. Participants also engage in fun, community-oriented events like paintball, sporting events, and group outings, which help strengthen peer bonds and support social wellness. These experiences empower individuals to reconnect with themselves and others, reduce stress, and foster a sense of belonging, making meaningful engagement a vital part of the recovery journey.
