Our Mission

To support anyone and everyone affected by substance use disorder, mental illness, and homelessness.

Recovery All Ways (RAW) is a 501c3 nonprofit organization that meets people where they are at on their path to recovery.  Weekly outreach takes place on Joseph Ave and Langham St every Sunday from 10am to 1pm, in the heart of Rochester’s 14621 neighborhood, an area hard hit by the opioid crisis. We also do outreach as needed across the city and county. It is our mission to support anyone affected by substance use disorder, mental illness, and/or homelessness.

Each week – rain, snow, or shine, and without shame or judgment – a dedicated team of outreach volunteers both onsite, and in the community, assist anyone facing substance use disorder, mental illness, and/or are homeless. In addition to health and recovery resources, basic needs, and nourishment, RAW deploys a cleanup team to safely dispose of used needles in “hot zones,” (public spaces such as parks, parking lots, and playgrounds) and make wellness checks on unhoused neighbors who have sought refuge in vacant lots or abandoned properties. We also have a specialized team that provides certified Narcan training and community education.

What makes RAW unique is that our founders, board members, and volunteers represent the community we serve – people seeking self-directed positive change (aka, recovery) who are directly impacted by substance use disorder (SUD), mental illness, HIV, Hepatitis C, poverty, and homelessness within their own circle. 

Our programs are based on proven, successful, Harm Reduction models that offer multiple paths to recovery. One size does not fit all. We aim to help our neighbors locate the type of treatment that they believe will work for them. Seeking treatment can be intimidating and overwhelming, but we can offer perspective from our own personal experience, and assist with any barriers they may encounter along the way.

SERVICES WE PROVIDE

Whenever, Wherever, Forever

Onsite Outreach

Every Sunday from 10am to 1pm – rain, snow or shine – we meet on Loomis Street, and break into two teams; one for onsite outreach, and community cleanup and outreach.

Onsite Outreach

During this time, volunteers offer onsite health resources, a hot meal, bagged lunches, hygiene kits, wound care kits, Naloxone (also known as Narcan, the opioid overdose reversal drug), blankets, and seasonal clothing for folks facing substance use disorders, are experiencing mental health challenges, and/or are homeless. It is a space for our neighbors to warm up, and feel supported. For volunteers who are interested, we also provide Narcan training and provide free doses.

Cleanup & Outreach

On Sundays, we also take volunteers out into the community with specialized team leaders to make wellness checks, distribute basic needs items, and clean up used needles in ``hot zones.``

Cleanup & Outreach

Volunteers are escorted by specialized team leaders to help make wellness checks on the unhoused. During that time, we also distribute bagged lunches, personal care kits, Narcan, emergency hotline information, and clean up used needles in public spaces, parks, parking lots, and abandoned properties. We also do cleanup by request; if you know of an area around town that needs needle clean-up, please let us know!

Peer Support Group

You are not alone in this journey. Be it recovery resources for yourself or a loved one, we are here to provide resources, and offer support.

Peer Support Group

As a peer-led organization, we are here to share our stories, and listen to yours. When and if you are comfortable, there is a team of incredible people who are in recovery themselves, or have walked beside someone who is. There is no one path to recovery, nor do we promote any specific program type. We believe both recovery and treatment should be person-centered. Come volunteer with us on a Saturday, or reach out for a private conversation. We're are here to help reover, heal and give back, together.

Certified NYS Opioid Overdose Prevention Program

We are certified to train the community on how to recognize the signs of an opioid overdose and properly administer Naloxone (also known as Narcan).

Certified NYS Opioid Overdose Prevention Program

We are available to perform individual training sessions (on Saturday's or at home) as well as community training sessions (school, private practice, place of work) on how to recognize the signs of an opioid overdose and properly administer Narcan (the Opioid Overdose Reversal Drug). Participants are provided with a free kit containing two doses of Narcan Nasal Spray and instructions, and can receive additional refills from RAW as needed.

Community Education & Awareness Program

To further our goal of breaking the silence and reducing the stigma we have developed a program to take into churches, schools, facilities and organizations to provide education and awareness around the Opioid Epidemic.

Community Education & Awareness Program

We have developed an educational program for churches, schools, like-minded nonprofit organizations and other services providers in order to educate new audiences, and cut through the stigma surrounding substance use disorder (SUD) and mental illness. We ensure that our program is tailored to be both age, or audience appropriate. The curriculim includes sharing our learned experience both prior to recovery and throughout our recovery journeys. We also share information on RAW's outreach programs. We believe that the Opioid Epidemic impacts more people than is known, and one of our goals is to start the conversation, answer questions and raise awareness. We also talk about the road to recovery and hope to show that recovery options are available, and it is possible.

24 Hour Hotline - Call or Text (585) 310-0729

Our automated, 24-hour hotline is staffed by volunteers and is able to receive both text and/or calls. You will be promoted to make a choice from a menus before being connected to the right person.

24 Hour Hotline

This hotline can be used for support to anyone impacted by substance use disorder (SUD), mental health issues and/or homelessness -- including individuals, famliy and friends. We can be there to offer general support by answering questions and lending an ear, and we can also assist with locating treatment options.

Willing participants will go through a small intake process that includes gathering the information needed to locate a preferred facility and achieving placement. If the facility needs to speak with the participant directly, or ask that they travel to the facility to complete their own intake process and be admitted, RAW may be able to assist with transportation directly to the facility, if needed. Any and all are welcome to call or text our 24 Hour Hotline at (585) 310-0729.

VIDEO GALLERY

We share our experience to not only show them that there is hope, not only let them know that recovery is available for them, but that it is possible.

If you are interested in viewing the videos we capture from inside abandoned, unsecured properties, you can view those on Facebook, by clicking here. Viewer discretion is advised. Some of the videos may be shocking and may include images of needles, deceased rodents, and human excrement. We only show volunteer faces, never the faces of someone we meet in the community, unless given permission

We enter these locations to do wellness checks and clean up used needles. If we do find someone in the space, we let them know that we have been there, and we care. If and when they are ready for treatment, we can help facilitate that with them as well. And if we find someone inside alone, and unresponsive due to an accidental overdose, we do carry Narcan (The Opiate Overdose Reversal Drug) and will call for help immediately. In addition, we carry bagged lunches, water, hygiene kits, and safe-sex kits to leave behind when there is proof of life in that space.

We do not condone trespassing and do not advise community members to do this on their own.  If you would like to help, we could love to have you join us in volunteering with Recovery All Ways during a regular Saturday outreach!

GET INVOLVED | CONTACT

How would you like to help?

PO Box 31233 Rochester NY 14603

585-310-0729

info@recoveryallways.org