The opposite of addiction is not sobriety, it’s connection. The often parallel work of 12-step recovery programs and formalized addiction treatment programs — after the initial experience of detox — involves connections with other people. And not just any people – supportive, reliable, and empathetic people. A community. That is where Recovery Community Development comes in.
Recovery Community Development is a Connecticut based 501(c)3 that seeks to equip those in need with the economic and life skills necessary to become more productive members of society. By providing supportive housing, job opportunities, and social services, RCD is able to provide connection on the road to recovery.
Recovery Community Development’s history traces back to May of 2012, when it was first formed and operated as Pivot Community Development Corporation, or Pivot CDC. At the time, our mandate was to provide those in need with affordable sober housing and jobs training/opportunities.
Working closely with Pivot Ministries, Recovery Community Development helped incubate a number of micro-businesses, including a seasonal fl ower business in the Pivot greenhouse and a lawn maintenance business, now operated by a Pivot graduate.
In 2013, RCD acquired an abandoned home on Pembroke St. and, over the next 18 months, the house was completely renovated by Pivot students, graduates, and with the help of community support. Once completed, the Pembroke house allowed Pivot to house 12 additional students and staff, as well as expanding the campus to a total of 3 houses.
In 2018, Pivot Community Development Corporation decided to expand its efforts and reach in addressing the growing need for affordable sober housing and formed what is now Recovery Community Development.
Taking our collective experience from acquiring and renovating the Pembroke property, Recovery CD has since acquired 2 houses in Bridgeport and manages another sober living house in Norwalk.
We currently have 4 full-time employees consisting of an Executive Director, 2 licensed contractors, and a house manager. Our Quintard house in Norwalk houses up to 14 men, all living within a sober community, and our newly renovated Noble Ave. house in Bridgeport can house up to 9 men.
Our Brooks St. House, acquired in January 2020, will house up to 10 men once renovations are completed.
The goal of Recovery Community Development is to scale the model of acquiring and renovating properties into safe, clean, affordable sober living housing and to provide job opportunities to residents and staff - providing each with support and resources on their road to recovery.
We believe we have the experience, passion, and commitment to serve a critical need in providing affordable housing to those in need. We have been blessed with wonderful donors who have supported this effort since we first started, 8 years ago, and for that we are incredibly grateful. We could not do this without your support.
Our goal now is to scale a model that we know and understand. To accomplish this goal we need to widen our circle of support and are asking you to join us. We ask for your prayers and also for your support in helping us to meet this growing need. We would welcome the chance to tell you more about Recovery Community Development, and our vision for growth and sustainability. For more about our path forward, check out RCD’s 2020 Vision Statement.
For more information and regular updates about Recovery Community Development’s work in the community or to help support our mission, visit us on our updated website, www.recovcd.org/get-involved, or reach out to us via phone, (203) 451-7555, or email, info@recovcd.org.