In early 2022, Full Circle Recovery was established through a collaboration between Anawim Housing and The Beacon, two nonprofit organizations dedicated to helping individuals affected by homelessness, trauma, and substance use.
Full Circle Recovery is led by people with lived experience in substance use recovery. Jodie Huju, Director of Learning and Program Development, describes their programs as “comprehensive, peer-driven support that uses a trauma-informed and equity-centered framework.”
CCAR-trained staff and volunteers offer strengths-based recovery coaching to individuals seeking recovery, along with a range of peer support groups, says Huju, “including All Recovery Meetings, where every recovery journey is honored, and peers come together to share and grow.” Additionally, they offer volunteer opportunities, social activities, assistance in finding and connecting with resources, community education programs, and training to the broader public.
Full Circle Recovery's Corrections Recovery Coaching Program (CRCP) focuses on helping justice-involved individuals move from incarceration to reintegration into society while maintaining their recovery. This program supports individuals in developing meaningful and healthy lifestyles after incarceration. Tracy Gryp, the director of CRCP, developed this program based on her own experiences in Mitchellville Prison. The program recently received grant funding for statewide prison initiatives, which has helped expand its reach. As a peer-run organization, this program exemplifies the power of lived experience, offering a bridge between incarceration and the recovery process.
Iowa Health and Human Services, the Public Science Collaborative, and community partners support their programs, which operate in three locations, each tailored to meet the specific needs of their respective communities:
Des Moines Recovery Community Center
4725 Merle Hay Road, Suite 107, Des Moines, IA 50322; Phone: 515-783-6382
Weekly Activities:
Monday: Recovery Dharma, Bad Company (NA)
Tuesday: Creative Club, SMART Recovery Meeting
Thursday: Lunch + Learn
For a complete list of activities, visit the Des Moines Calendar.
Council Bluffs Recovery Community Center
300 West Broadway, Suite 108, Council Bluffs, IA 51503; 712-560-6360
The Council Bluffs center is in the Omni Centre Business Park. Parking is available on level 2. Entrance A leads directly to Suite 108.
Weekly Activities:
Monday: All Recovery Meeting
Tuesday: Coffee & Conversation, Cage Your Rage, Nar-Anon, Crystal Meth Anonymous
Friday: SMART Recovery Meeting, Narcotics Anonymous
For a complete list of activities, go to the Council Bluffs Calendar.
Ankeny Satellite Center Opening Soon!
641 South Ankeny Blvd, Ankeny, IA; 515-783-6382
The Ankeny location is newly opened, and hours will be posted soon. Please call for more details or to schedule an appointment.
All staff are trained as recovery coaches through CCAR (Connecticut Community for Addiction Recovery). Jodie, Tracy, and Cindy are also recovery coach professional facilitators.
Left to Right
Council Bluffs: Lora Lemus, Center Manager; Stephanie Bauersachs, Volunteer Coordinator; Jaymie Rowe, Recovery Services Assistant
Des Moines: Jodie Huju, Director of Learning and Program Development; Katey Rascon, Volunteer Coordinator; Cindy West, Executive Director; Jonathon Darby, Center Manager
Ankeny: Charlee Gathercole, Corrections Recovery Coach; Tracy Gryp, Director of the Corrections Recovery Coaching Program; Toni VerMeer, Corrections Recovery Program Coordinator
Please contact Katelyn Akright at katelyn-akright@uiowa.edu if you have questions about what you’ve read, or contact Full Circle directly. Visit their website and follow them on Facebook.