September is National Recovery Month: Celebrating Hope, Healing, and Community

Each September, our nation observes National Recovery Month—a time to raise awareness about substance use disorder (SUD), celebrate the achievements of those in recovery, and highlight the availability of treatment and support services.
As someone who has walked the recovery journey myself—and who has served as a treatment counselor for more than 30 years—I am wholeheartedly committed to each of these goals. For the past 17 years, I’ve had the honor of serving as the Clinical Director and owner of Recovery Outreach Services (ROS), where our motto is: “Help is only a call or click away.”
Over the years, ROS has greatly expanded the ways we serve our community. Today, we provide substance use disorder education, individual and group counseling, peer support, mental health counseling, a Batterer Intervention Program, professional DOT SAP services, and onsite drug screening.
But recovery is about more than clinical services. It’s about building safe, supportive environments where healing can take place. About a year and a half ago, we opened our very first recovery home, First Lady’s House, for women in recovery. Soon after, Buster’s House opened its doors to men seeking a fresh start. And this month, we are excited to open The P & J House, which will provide housing and hope for eight more women on their recovery journey.
These milestones—and the daily work that ROS carries out—would not be possible without the steadfast support of family, friends, churches, nonprofits, and our broader Springfield community. To each of you, we extend our deepest gratitude.
Many people ask, “How can I help?”—and I’m always grateful for that question. First and foremost, we ask for your prayers, both for those we serve and for the individuals providing care. Addiction and recovery are not easy roads, but with persistence and faith, change is possible.
For those who want to go a step further, financial contributions are another meaningful way to make a difference. While ROS is a for-profit treatment center, we partner with Redeemed Lives, a nonprofit organization that allows your gifts to be tax deductible. Through Redeemed Lives (redeemed-lives.org), you can help cover treatment expenses for someone in need or directly support the residents of First Lady’s House, Buster’s House, or The P & J House.
If you’d like more information, please email info@redeemed-lives.org or give me a call at (417) 823-9691. We look forward to connecting with you.
This September—and every month—we invite you to celebrate recovery. Your prayers, contributions, and encouragement are helping transform lives not only here in Springfield but throughout our region. Together, we are proving that recovery is real, hope is alive, and second chances are possible.