• Recovery Community Organization

​North Central Washington Peer Connection is a Recovery Community Organization that provide services that support individuals in recovery who are working to improve their health and wellness, live self-directed lives, and reach their full potential. These supports span four key dimensions: health, home, purpose, and community.

  • RCOs specialize in delivering or facilitating these non-clinical supports — often filling gaps left by traditional treatment or clinical services.

• Peer-Led, Community-Governed, Non-Profit Structure

  • A defining characteristic of an RCO is that it is an independent, non-profit organization led and governed by representatives from the “recovery community,” including people with lived experience, family members, friends, and allies.

  • This ensures authenticity of voice and decision-making that reflects the real needs and experiences of those in recovery — not a top-down, clinical or institutional model. Faces & Voices of Recovery+1

• Multiple Pathways, Inclusivity & Respect for Diversity

  • RCOs embrace all pathways to recovery — recognizing there is no single “right” way. This respects personal choice, culture, identity, and difference. CCAR+1

  • They aim to be inclusive, equitable, and accessible to anyone seeking support, regardless of background or history. Recovery Research Institute+1

• Core Activities: Support, Connection, Advocacy, Education

RCOs typically engage in a mix of the following:

  • Peer-based Recovery Support Services (P-BRSS): Peer support, recovery coaching, mutual-support groups, navigation to resources (housing, employment, education), sober social activities, recovery-friendly social spaces, etc. CCAR+2NCBI+2

  • Community Education & Outreach: Raising awareness about recovery, reducing stigma, sharing stories of hope, public outreach, resource referral. CCAR+1

  • Advocacy & Policy Engagement: Working to influence policies, social systems, and public attitudes — promoting recovery-friendly policies and supports at community/state level. CCAR+1

  • Capacity Building & Community Resource Coordination: Mobilizing community resources, forming partnerships, creating safe and supportive physical spaces (like peer-run centers, “recovery cafés,” community support hubs), developing future peer leaders. Washington State Health Care Authority+2thewashingtoncouncil.org+2

    *Definition provided completely or in part by - Washington State Health Care Authority