By John Riddle, Contributing Journalist, Delaware LIVE

A hayride and a bonfire might seem like simple ingredients for an autumn outing. For Firm Foundation Recovery, they are also opportunities to bring families together around a mission that reaches far beyond a fall evening.

The nonprofit hosts its annual Friends of Delaware Hayride at Milburn Orchards each October, inviting supporters of its healing mission to enjoy family time while strengthening connections centered on recovery.

The gathering is one example of how the organization combines community activities, peer support and service to address substance addiction in Delaware.

Firm Foundation Recovery grew out of what its website describes as an enormous need for a long-term, God-centered recovery resource in the state. Its approach brings people and fellowships together around shared principles for healing, with an emphasis on addressing needs that can leave individuals and families struggling to find support.

“Together we can help to heal our communities one recovery at a time,” the organization states on its website.

That mission includes an ambitious undertaking: building a long-term, God-centered recovery facility with transitional living and a work program. The planned facility reflects the organization’s focus on sustained support and helping people establish a foundation for their lives in recovery.

Its broader vision extends throughout Delaware. Firm Foundation Recovery seeks to develop a recovery culture rooted in principles, service and community involvement, with people in recovery taking active roles in strengthening the communities around them.

Family events are one way it works toward that goal.

The organization reports hosting seven annual statewide family and community events focused on awareness, education, prevention and resources. Community donations help secure venues and allow those gatherings to grow.

In May, its Skating For Change events bring the mission to the rink. The owners of Christiana Skating Center and Dover Skating Center partner with the nonprofit to offer Delaware youth and families opportunities to skate while supporting its work.

October brings a different setting, with hayrides and bonfires at Milburn Orchards. The Friends of Delaware Hayride combines a familiar fall tradition with the organization’s efforts to unite people around healing and recovery.

Together, the activities reflect an approach that makes room for families and community members to participate through shared experiences.

Service is another central part of the organization’s work.

Firm Foundation Recovery reports carrying out three service projects annually in and around Delaware. Its service activities include improving housing, providing food and clothing to people experiencing homelessness, hosting speaker jams and creating supportive recovery environments.

These efforts connect recovery with practical ways to help others. They also give participants opportunities to contribute their experience and energy to needs within the wider community.

The nonprofit’s peer-driven initiatives reach children, families and people new to recovery. According to its website, lived experience helps those involved connect with others and respond to gaps in support.

“This ‘we’ concept of serving with our lived experience is life changing,” the website states.

Community partnerships help sustain the effort. Firm Foundation Recovery offers sponsorship and advertising opportunities for businesses and other supporters interested in contributing to its mission while building relationships within their communities.

For the organization, the larger goal is a Delaware where helping people affected by addiction becomes a shared commitment, and where those building lives in recovery have opportunities to serve others.

A skating rink, a service project or an evening beside a bonfire offers a different doorway into that work. Each creates space for people to gather, participate and support a mission built around healing.

Through those connections, Firm Foundation Recovery is working toward a future in which recovery has a place in everyday community life, one helping hand and one changed life at a time.

 

By John Riddle

A hayride and a bonfire might seem like simple ingredients for an autumn outing. For Firm Foundation Recovery, they are also opportunities to bring families together around a mission that reaches far beyond a fall evening.

The nonprofit hosts its annual Friends of Delaware Hayride at Milburn Orchards each October, inviting supporters of its healing mission to enjoy family time while strengthening connections centered on recovery.

The gathering is one example of how the organization combines community activities, peer support and service to address substance addiction in Delaware.

Firm Foundation Recovery grew out of what its website describes as an enormous need for a long-term, God-centered recovery resource in the state. Its approach brings people and fellowships together around shared principles for healing, with an emphasis on addressing needs that can leave individuals and families struggling to find support.

“Together we can help to heal our communities one recovery at a time,” the organization states on its website.

That mission includes an ambitious undertaking: building a long-term, God-centered recovery facility with transitional living and a work program. The planned facility reflects the organization’s focus on sustained support and helping people establish a foundation for their lives in recovery.

Its broader vision extends throughout Delaware. Firm Foundation Recovery seeks to develop a recovery culture rooted in principles, service and community involvement, with people in recovery taking active roles in strengthening the communities around them.

Family events are one way it works toward that goal.

The organization reports hosting seven annual statewide family and community events focused on awareness, education, prevention and resources. Community donations help secure venues and allow those gatherings to grow.

In May, its Skating For Change events bring the mission to the rink. The owners of Christiana Skating Center and Dover Skating Center partner with the nonprofit to offer Delaware youth and families opportunities to skate while supporting its work.

October brings a different setting, with hayrides and bonfires at Milburn Orchards. The Friends of Delaware Hayride combines a familiar fall tradition with the organization’s efforts to unite people around healing and recovery.

Together, the activities reflect an approach that makes room for families and community members to participate through shared experiences.

Service is another central part of the organization’s work.

Firm Foundation Recovery reports carrying out three service projects annually in and around Delaware. Its service activities include improving housing, providing food and clothing to people experiencing homelessness, hosting speaker jams and creating supportive recovery environments.

These efforts connect recovery with practical ways to help others. They also give participants opportunities to contribute their experience and energy to needs within the wider community.

The nonprofit’s peer-driven initiatives reach children, families and people new to recovery. According to its website, lived experience helps those involved connect with others and respond to gaps in support.

“This ‘we’ concept of serving with our lived experience is life changing,” the website states.

Community partnerships help sustain the effort. Firm Foundation Recovery offers sponsorship and advertising opportunities for businesses and other supporters interested in contributing to its mission while building relationships within their communities.

For the organization, the larger goal is a Delaware where helping people affected by addiction becomes a shared commitment, and where those building lives in recovery have opportunities to serve others.

A skating rink, a service project or an evening beside a bonfire offers a different doorway into that work. Each creates space for people to gather, participate and support a mission built around healing.

Through those connections, Firm Foundation Recovery is working toward a future in which recovery has a place in everyday community life, one helping hand and one changed life at a time.

 

Delaware LIVE collaborates with a network of professional journalists to cover a diverse range of stories across various fields.  Staff Writers include experienced journalists and young professionals.  If you have questions, please feel free to contact [email protected] or our publisher, George D. Rotsch, at [email protected]