Minnesota Recovery Connection
2446 University Ave W, Suite 112
St Paul, MN, 55114
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.

~ 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 eleven 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.

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.

Wendy is a former Humphrey Policy Fellow and James P. Shannon Leadership Institute alumna, and she holds a bachelor’s degree in history from the University of Minnesota.  She is currently completing a Masters of Public Affairs from the Humphrey School of Public Affairs. A person in long-term recovery, Wendy is also an enthusiastic runner, cook and traveler who loves being a Minnesotan.

Director of Education and Public Engagement

alysia@minnesotarecovery.org

Alysia Lajune is Director of Education & Public Engagement for Minnesota Recovery Connection (MRC). She joined the MRC team on January 2, 2019.  A proud Woman of Color in recovery, Alysia has facilitated a secular AA group in Minneapolis, and served as a sponsor. Prior to MRC, Alysia enjoyed a 15-year career in college student affairs. Most recently, she was coordinator of Student Life & Leadership Development at Metropolitan State University, where she co-founded Minnesota’s first collegiate chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI On Campus), and was instrumental in the establishment of Metro Students for Recovery. She also oversaw nearly 40 student organizations, including the Alcohol & Drug Counseling Student Association and 13 multicultural student groups. Before Metro, Alysia worked for the U of M, where she established the Black Faculty & Staff Association in 2012.

Alysia is a Social Justice advocate who is dedicated to empowering disadvantaged and marginalized populations, and deeply committed to helping people battling mental illness, addiction, and/or homelessness. Since February 2018, she has been a part-time shelter advocate at St. Anne’s Place in Minneapolis, and she has also supported residents at Stepping Stone Emergency Housing in Anoka. Additionally, Alysia brings valuable experience in workforce development and grassroots organizing through previous employment with the Virginia Department of Human Services, NAADAC, and Foster Care Alumni of America. She is thrilled to advance MRC’s mission and growth, and expand Minnesota’s peer recovery network and workforce.

Alysia has a master’s degree in Human Services Counseling from Regent University, and a bachelor’s in Communication from Denison University. Her favorite hobbies include Pinterest-surfing, watching reruns of “Frasier” and “The Golden Girls,” and obsessing over Monarch butterflies.

Manager of Peer Services

tiffany@minnesotarecovery.org

Tiffany Irvin joined MRC as its Manager of Peer Services January 2, 2018. In this role, she supports MRC’s development and delivery of community-based peer recovery support services that promote and strengthen a recovery-oriented system of care for people with substance use disorders. Tiffany manages the ongoing operations and supervision of MRC’s Peer Recovery Specialist services.

Tiffany is originally from Des Moines, Iowa and now resides in Brooklyn Park with her five children and fiance. She is a woman in long-term recovery and is currently working on her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology at Argosy University. Tiffany is a graduate of MRC’s Recovery Coach Academy and previously worked at Nystrom and Associates and Tapestry Residential Treatment Center as a Peer Recovery Specialist. She also has extensive experience as an office manager and previously worked as a supervisor and emergency dispatcher for an ambulance company.

Tiffany has been a supporter of MRC as a recovery ambassador and lead volunteer at the Walk for Recovery. Some of her hobbies include doing her nails and studying the Bible, and she is looking forward to beginning a new year at MRC.

Community Engagement Coordinator

midori@minnesotarecovery.org

Office Manager/Accounting Clerk

nadine.gall@minnesotarecovery.org

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.