Announcements

Oriana House, Inc., has been awarded $178,600 from the OneOhio Recovery Foundation to expand support for people affected by substance use disorders in Huron County.

The funding will help strengthen two key recovery supports: transportation to treatment and other community resources, and a new Recovery Engagement Specialist (RES) position to help people connect with the services they need.

“We will be enhancing and maintaining two primary resources for sober support: transportation to resources and establishing the position of a Recovery Engagement Specialist (RES) to serve as a liaison to facilitate access to these resources for the people who need them,” said Allyse Hawkins, Vice President of Behavioral Health at Oriana House.

Oriana House is a private, nonprofit agency that provides community corrections and behavioral health services throughout much of Ohio.

Creating a Recovery Hub in Norwalk

Rigel Recovery Services, the treatment division of Oriana House, operates a behavioral health treatment office in Norwalk that includes Revive & Thrive, a sober coffee house and gathering space.

With support from the OneOhio grant, Revive & Thrive will expand its role as a recovery engagement hub for Huron County. The goal is to make it easier for people to connect with treatment, peer support, the courts, employment services and other resources while strengthening coordination among organizations serving the community.

The Recovery Engagement Specialist will serve as a countywide point of connection, working with organizations including Norwalk Municipal Court, Huron County Jail, Let’s Get Real, treatment providers and other community partners.

The RES will help coordinate transportation and “warm handoffs,” meaning direct connections between individuals and the services they need. For example, the RES may help someone get to a treatment appointment, peer support meeting, court date, employment opportunity or other community resource.

The RES will also participate in local committees and initiatives, including Stepping Up for Recovery and Trauma-Informed Care, as well as Norwalk Municipal Drug Court and other justice-related meetings.

Support Before, During and After Treatment

Recovery support doesn’t end when someone completes treatment. The RES will help provide opportunities for people to stay connected throughout their recovery journey.

Services and activities may include:

• Alumni and recovery support meetings
• Individual meetings with people seeking recovery support
• Groups for people navigating probation, reentry or court involvement
• Family Matters groups
• Recovery activities and informal opportunities to connect at Revive & Thrive
• Transportation to treatment, court, employment and other services

The RES will also work with clinicians to identify challenges that may affect a person's engagement in treatment and help coordinate appropriate support. Grant funding will additionally provide clinical oversight, supervision and consultation for the RES, along with operating costs associated with direct services, including the Revive & Thrive facility and transportation.

A Place to Connect

Revive & Thrive is located with Rigel Recovery Services at 1 E. Willard Avenue in Norwalk. “Revive & Thrive is a bright, welcoming space where individuals in recovery can gather to enjoy free coffee and popcorn, read, write, meditate, watch movies, play music, play games and do other activities,” Hawkins said. “It’s definitely an environment that supports healing and connection.”

“Through the grant,” Hawkins added, “Oriana House will build on that welcoming environment to create additional opportunities for people in Huron County to find support, make connections and access the resources that can help them in recovery.”

The grant is part of a $45.7 million regional funding initiative awarded by the OneOhio Recovery Foundation. The funding comes from 55% of the funds Ohio receives from pharmaceutical companies as part of settlements related to the naitonal opioid epidemic.

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About the OneOhio Recovery Foundation
The OneOhio Recovery Foundation is a private, non-profit foundation with the mission of advancing Ohio’s addiction prevention, treatment, and recovery efforts now and into the future.

September 2026