Recovery in Community is now active and working to improve the lives of underserved Orcas Islanders facing mental health or substance abuse challenges. RIC has accepted its first client, paired them with a volunteer advocate and has begun to help that client access local services.

RIC provides personal support and advocacy to these community members who are not currently connecting with available community services and supports. RIC helps these clients to access a variety of professional and volunteer services and supports—medical, mental health and drug/alcohol counseling and treatment, basic needs, companionship and fellowship—during times of critical need and transition.

A network of trained volunteer advocates and organizational partnerships help RIC clients survive these periods, make successful transitions in and out of formal treatments, and return to productive lives into the future. Its first group of advocates underwent a first training session in early August and each is prepared for work with a client under apprenticeship with a RIC lead advocate.

With basic funding in place and an excellent group of volunteer advocates on board, RIC is now taking confidential referrals by phone or text at 360-317-3119 or email at coordinator@ricorcas.com. This can be from individuals seeking RIC supports, organizations and agencies, and families and friends of potential clients.

RIC is also pleased to announce that Janine Heimerich will serve as RIC’s coordinator during the nine-month RIC pilot project. Heimerich brings to her role broad experience as a volunteer supporting islanders in various capacities and as a businesswoman in our community.

The coordinator is the first contact for organizations and individuals reaching out to RIC. Along with members of the RIC Oversight Committee, Heimerich will be the public face of RIC in the community and will help inform all about what RIC does and whom it serves. The RIC Oversight Committee encourages all to visit www.ricorcas.com to learn more.