Recovery Community OrganizationS

What are Recovery Community Organizations, or RCOs?

In more detail...

RCOs are grassroots “recovery hubs” that mobilize resources, provide free support services, and bring people, service providers, and organizations together for one purpose: strengthening recovery in our communities

RCOs honor all pathways to recovery and are not treatment providers. Rather, they exist to fill gaps in and around treatment, which is typically a short-term, clinical intervention. RCOs offer the “primary care” essential to managing and preventing the chronic disease of substance use disorder.

RCOs are independent, nonprofit, non-clinical organizations that are led and governed by representatives of local communities of recovery. RCOs exist to implement long-term system change. They work to change perceptions of how society views and supports people affected by substance use issues and substance use disorders as well as institute recovery-friendly public policies. RCOs work to build a recovery-oriented system of care.

RCOs do this through one or more of these core functions:

Peer-to-Peer Recovery Support Services

Strong RCOs help grow strong communitiesof recovery. Our organizational training,coaching and certification foster RCOdevelopment, fidelity and sustainability.

Public Education

We are committed to growing recoverythroughout Minnesota. Our public eventsand educational programs work to reducestigma and promote recovery-focused col-laboration within and across communities.

Advocacy

We work to elevate the voices of individuals,families and communities affected by sub-stance use disorders and educate policy-makers on recovery issues.

Recovery Community Organziations in Minnesota

Looking for support or want to get involved with an RCO?

Minnesota’s network of RCOs is growing! Find a recovery community organization near you!

How does an organization become an RCO?

RCOs are meant to be community change agents, and they follow national standards that reflect their recovery missions and grassroots operations. In Minnesota, an organization can be recognized as an RCO by going through the certification process with a recognized program. There are currently two pathways to certification in Minnesota: MARCO or FAVOR

BECOME CERTIFIED AS AN RCO THROUGH MARCO!

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.