Mission + Vision + Values

Our Mission:

The mission of MARCO is to educate, advocate, and mobilize resources to grow the community-based recovery movement across Minnesota.

Our Vision:

We envision a robust, recovery-oriented care system in Minnesota, fueled by a strong network of Recovery Community Organizations, where all individuals seeking or maintaining recovery can easily access the services they need to thrive.

Our Values:

The Power of Recovery Community Organizations

We believe powerful RCOs build a recovery-oriented society. MARCO helps RCOs develop their power.

Fidelity to the Recovery Community Organization Model

We believe that the RCO model safeguards the integrity of recovery work. MARCO helps RCOs understand and implement the model in their community.

Agency with Accountability

We believe that when RCOs work independently within clear accountability standards, they can meet their local community’s needs.

Community through Collaboration

We believe the Recovery Community was born of close collaboration toward shared goals. MARCO connects RCOs, supporters, and community organizations into a resilient recovery ecosystem.

Diversity and Inclusion

We know that the people and their experiences in recovery are diverse. We believe that more people recover when RCOs honor and support the diversity of people and experiences in recovery.

Lighthouse Beginnings

LHB came to life when we became a 501(c)(3) in 2020. We built a board of directors of people in recovery. LHB launched for the purpose of assisting and empowering individuals to remove the roadblocks experienced while in the recovery process.

LHB was developed and continues to be managed by individuals with lived experience, education, diverse backgrounds, and different pathways of recovery. We have locations in Brainerd and in Minneapolis, trying to expand our reach to those who face recovery daily, know people in recovery, face homelessness, or have been wrongly incarcerated.

Service Delivery Options

On-site at a physical location
In-person in the community through outreach
In-person in the community through pop-up sites at other provider locations

Services Offered

Certified Peer Recovery Specialists (1:1 support)

On-demand recovery navigation (call/email)

All recovery meetings

Volunteer/internship opportunities

Recovery skills-building classes

Social recovery events

Our Approach

Peer support encompasses a range of activities and interactions between people who share similar experiences of being diagnosed with mental health conditions, substance use disorders, or both. This mutuality is often called “peerness” — a connection between a peer support worker and a person in or seeking recovery that promotes connection and inspires hope.

Peer support offers a level of acceptance, understanding, and validation not found in many other professional relationships. By sharing their own lived experience and practical guidance, peer support workers help people develop goals, create strategies for self-empowerment, and take steps toward building fulfilling, self-determined lives through individualized wellness plans.

Outreach & Resources

Onsite supplies
Street outreach (support, education, supplies)
Referrals to Medication Assisted Recovery
Overdose prevention training

Harm Reduction Supplies

Naloxone/Narcan
Fentanyl test strips
Xylazine test strips

Additional Support

Recovery residences / sober housing
Housing stabilization support services
Mental health peer support services
Food shelf / food assistance
Clothing shelf / clothing assistance

Programs & Events

Public trainings

We've offered anger management classes, as well as an all-recovery meeting every Tuesday at 1 PM.