Mission

NORA is engaging the recovery community in developing and providing culturally competent peer recovery support services in three counties in northern Ohio. The peer support services are designed to prevent relapse, reengage recovering persons in the community, and promote high-level wellness.

Resource Centers

NORA provides peer services and recovery support groups at four sites. Two county resource centers one in Cleveland (Cuyahoga County) and the other one in Elyria (Lorain County) were opened in the first year of the grant, and a third is planned for Summit County. These centers provide space for support groups and serve as a hub for other peer support activities, including peer mentoring and connecting people in early recovery to resources.

NORA also operates from its office in East Cleveland, maintains an office at the Salvation Army in Elyria, and provides mentor-led support groups at a nearby recovery house for men that opened in Elyria early this year. Recovery support group meetings are held at all sites.

Peer Mentors and Support/Education Groups

Peer mentors provide one-on-one support for people in early recovery (including adolescents in treatment) and lead recovery support and education groups, including a number of nontraditional groups. Some of the groups offered are Pattern Changing for Abused Women, focusing on the recovery needs of abused women; Transitions, a re-entry group; an anger management group for men; and life skills and job readiness groups.

Linkages with Stakeholders

NORA has developed productive linkages with many organizations, including Iron Bar Ministries, Phase I Recovery House, Salvation Army, and the Lorain County Urban Minority Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Outreach Project. These stakeholders refer people in need of social support to NORA and help NORA identify potential mentors. In addition, some provide space for NORA mentors to work.

Special Events

In the last year, NORA has held a number of trainings, including two peer mentor trainings. In addition, it convened a weekend conference on “Building Bridges” for the recovery, faith, and treatment communities which drew 250 participants and an open house attended by the new mayor of Cleveland.