Episode 7 - Helping Women Feel Safe and Secure

In this episode, I talk with Nicole Lawrence O'Brien, the Founder of Ruth's Way for Women.  Ruth's Way for Women is located in Lynn, MA and started as a recovery house for women.  After a few years, the organization pivoted to be a sober home where they provide independent living in a structured environment.  In this way, the women who are in recovery have a safe, secure place for them to heal.  Nicole goes into detail about her own struggle (and awareness) of addiction to alcohol and how she through being a recovery coach empowers women to take charge of their own recovery.  

As Founders, Nicole and I share laughs over the trials and tribulations of starting and running a nonprofit organization.  Some lessons learned include:  (1) Board development - we all start with friends and family, but to grow you have to find people more interested in supporting the mission than supporting you; (2) funding the nonprofit, (3) getting good counsel and reaching out for help.  

Addition doesn't just affect the individual who is abusing substances, it can affect families.  Here are some resources if you are in need of assistance for yourself or someone you know:

Ruth's Way for Women - www.ruthswayforwomen.org

Massachusetts Substance Use Hotline - www.helplinema.org

Alcoholics Anonymous - www.aa.org

Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration - www.samhsa.gov