About

Minnesota Recovery Connection
822 S. 3rd Street, Suite 101
Minneapolis, MN 55415
p. 612.584.4158
f. 612.886.3940
e. info@minnesotarecovery.org

Mission:

Minnesota Recovery Connection (MRC)’s mission is to strengthen the recovery community through peer-to-peer support, public education, and advocacy.

Vision:

MRC envisions a world where recovery from addiction to alcohol and other drugs is understood, promoted, embraced, and enjoyed and where all who seek it have access to the support, care, and resources they need to achieve long-term recovery.

Who We Are:

MRC is a Recovery Community Organization serving the seven county metro area of Minnesota and supporting recovery communities in both St. Cloud and Duluth.

Recovery community organizations (RCOs) are the heart and soul of the recovery movement. In the last ten years, RCOs have proliferated throughout the US. They are demonstrating leadership in their towns, cities and states as well as on the national landscape. They have become major hubs for recovery-focused policy advocacy activities, carrying out recovery-focused community education and outreach programs, and becoming players in systems change initiatives. Many are also providing peer-based recovery support services. RCOs share a recovery vision, authenticity of voice and are independent, serving as a bridge between diverse communities of recovery, the addiction treatment community, governmental agencies, the criminal justice system, the larger network of health and human services providers and systems and the broader recovery support resources of the extended community.

~ Faces & Voices of Recovery

MRC is a member organization of Faces & Voices Association of Recovery Community Organizations (ARCO). ARCO unites and supports the growing network of local, regional and statewide recovery community organizations (RCOs). ARCO links RCOs and their leaders with local and national allies and provides training and technical assistance to groups. ARCO helps build the unified voice of the organized recovery community and fulfill our commitment to supporting the development of new groups and strengthening existing ones.

MRC is proud to be one of five RCOs in the U.S. that is CAPRSS accredited.

MRC is a Recovery Month Planning Partner. The Planning Partners are involved in planning National Recovery Month (Recovery Month) activities in conjunction with the the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

Currently, the Planning Partners are comprised of more than 200 federal, state, and local government entities, as well as nonprofit organizations and associations affiliated with prevention, treatment, and recovery of mental and/or substance use disorders.

wendy-jones

Wendy Jones

Executive Director

wendy@minnesotarecovery.org

Wendy Jones joined Minnesota Recovery Connection in 2018 after a long career with the Minnesota Historical Society, where she was the Director of Education and a member of its Senior Leadership Team. She brings a strong background in program operations, community collaborations and educational services to MRC and is an experienced nonprofit administrator and leader. Prior to becoming Executive Director, Wendy was a passionate MRC volunteer, completing the Recovery Coach Academy and serving as a Recovery Ambassador and Walk for Recovery volunteer. She is a Humphrey Policy Fellow and James P. Shannon Leadership Institute alumna, and she holds a bachelor’s degree in history from the University of Minnesota. A person in long-term recovery, Wendy is also an enthusiastic runner, cook and traveler who loves being a Minnesotan.

kris-kelly

Kris Kelly

Director of Programs

kris@minnesotarecovery.org

Kris Kelly is the Director of Programs at Minnesota Recovery Connection (MRC). She joined the MRC team in 2013, first as a volunteer yoga teacher and then as a Recovery Coach Academy graduate. She was hired on as a staff member in 2014. Kris found deep alignment between MRC’s person-centered approach to recovery and her own values.

As a woman in long-term recovery, Kris was drawn to integrative wellness, exploring recovery through mindfulness, yoga, and meditation. She completed her coursework with the Meditation Specialist Competency Program in 2010, trained with Mindful Schools and then obtained her yoga certification in 2013. Kris had a 20-year career working in some of the Twin Cities best restaurants and is an accomplished seamstress. Before coming to MRC, she ran a small business, PieGirl and still finds her true bliss baking pies.

Kris has a bachelor’s degree in Human Services from the University of Saint Mary’s and broad experience and knowledge about accessing social services.

melissa-mielke

Melissa Mielke

Peer Manager

melissa@minnesotarecovery.org

recovery-corps

Recovery Corps: Recovery Navigators

Minnesota Recovery Connection’s Recovery Corps members provide one-to-one assistance to recoverees (individuals initiating and maintaining recovery) in building a self-directed Recovery Plan. A Recovery Plan may include connection to a recovery residence (safe and sober housing), reaching employment or educational goals, or finding opportunities for pro-social activities within their community.

Valerie Gustafson

valerie.gustafson@minnesotarecovery.org

Sarah McVicar

sarah.mcvicar@minnesotarecovery.org

Peter Solberg

peter.solberg@minnesotarecovery.org

board-of-directors