In an article on its website focusing on staff in recovery, The National Clearing House on Families & Youth includes input from Melissa Garrison, Alumni Coordinator and Recovery Lifeline Coordinator for Rosecrance.
As the Recovery Lifeline coordinator for Rosecrance in Rockford, IL, she fields calls from young people who have graduated from the organization’s residential treatment program but are still struggling to stay clean. “A lot of time the youth is hesitant about walking into a 12-step support group. Or they have that feeling that no one knows what I’m going through.” At that point Garrison’s personal story can make the difference.