SOS receives grant to help with workforce development

This is the second consecutive year SOS has applied for and received the grant. (Courtesy photo)

ROCHESTER - SOS Recovery Community Organization has been named a recipient of one of the awards for the 2019 Capacity Building Opportunity Grant, an intensive technical assistance opportunity for peer-run, recovery community, family-run, and youth- and young adult-run organizations. This technical assistance opportunity is offered by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration's Bringing Recovery Supports to Scale Technical Assistance Center Strategy.

This is the second consecutive year SOS has applied for and received the grant. The grant, which is not a monetary award, focuses on evidence-based technical assistance.

According to SOS Director John Burns, in 2018 SOS engaged in this technical assistance for building capacity around peer recovery support services for criminal justice programs and re-entry. SOS utilized that support and assistance to build a very successful program for criminal justice supports in Strafford County. The 2019 application was accepted to allow SOS to focus on workforce development through peer recovery support services.

"We are excited and honored to take part in this program," said Burns. "We hope to use this to improve our programs and abilities to build recovery friendly workplaces and connect participants in our programs to employers and supports."

The mission of SOS is to reduce stigma and harm associated with substance use by providing safe space and peer-based supports for people in all stages of recovery.

SOS is located on South Main Street in the First Congregational Church.