Togetherness in recovery: Addiction and Recovery Services provides opportunities for connection

Jane Weiner from the Jewish Recovery Network (left) with JFCS Addiction and Recovery Services Program Coordinator Jennifer Fukuda (center) and Manager Leah Persky (right) at the Freedom From Addiction Seder in April.

Jennifer Fukuda • Addiction & Recovery Services Program Coordinator

At JFCS Addiction and Recovery Services, we serve all people and understand recovery is unique to each individual person. We meet you where you are on your recovery journey and our work is informed by the principles of harm reduction. We also embrace how important belonging is to recovery – we know the opposite of addiction is connection. Let’s look at two ways the Addiction and Recovery team at JFCS is working to offer connection and belonging to people in the recovery community.

During Passover, we recognize that people in recovery deserve a Seder that offers joy, celebration, warmth, and dignity. Passover can be a time of nostalgia and its message of redemption and freedom is beautifully aligned with the recovery journey. However, a person in recovery may feel isolated and alienated because a traditional Seder involves alcohol.

In partnership with the Jewish Recovery Network, JFCS offers a Freedom from Addiction Seder every year. It is a time for people in the Jewish and recovery communities to come together for a delicious meal, songs, celebration, acceptance, and togetherness in a judgement-free space. This year, nearly 50 people gathered to celebrate freedom from addiction and slavery. We know that many people are looking for connection and a feeling of community today.

Meeting the needs of our community is something we strive to achieve in Addiction and Recovery Services. A recent community survey demonstrated this, as did the big turnout at the Seder. We want to create opportunities for connection and support for people and families impacted by addiction.

We have exciting news to share! We are in the process of creating an in-person support group for people impacted by addiction. The group will be focused on offering a space for people in recovery – and those who have been impacted by addiction – to find support and healing through connection, education, and personal growth. This group will be led by a facilitator with lived experienced and the ability to integrate Jewish values and teachings. They will provide a welcoming and inclusive environment for all those who choose to attend. We are thrilled to be offering this group to the community.

If you would like to learn more about the Recovery Peer Support Group Facilitator position, please refer to the job posting here: https://recruiting.paylocity.com/Recruiting/Jobs/Details/3234680

If you would like to learn more about upcoming events or the upcoming support group, please do not hesitate to reach out and connect personally with me at 952-542-4837 or jfukuda@jfcsmpls.org.