The Uniform Comes Off, But Not Everything Leaves With It

When you’re in the military, you’re trained to push through. You learn how to function under pressure. You learn how to keep going, even when you’re running on fumes. And in a lot of ways, that mindset helps you survive. But once you come home, that same mindset can become a trap. A lot of veterans don’t talk about what they’re carrying. We don’t want to be seen as weak.

We don’t want to feel like a burden. And if you’re a man, especially in certain communities, you’ve probably been
told your whole life to keep it in, handle it, stay tough, don’t complain. That silence can turn into isolation. Isolation
can turn into self-medication. And self-medication can turn into addiction, depression, rage, anxiety, broke
relationships, and feeling like you don’t even recognize yourself anymore. I know that road because I’ve walked it.

Why I Want to Work With Veterans

Veterans deserve support that makes sense for them. A lot of us struggle to trust systems. A lot of us don’t want to feel like a number. And a lot of us don’t know where to start, especially when life is already falling apart. Some veterans are connected to the VA. Some aren’t. Some veterans have benefits. Some don’t. Some veterans have
discharge statuses that make things even harder, and they’ve been made to feel like they don’t “count” or don’t deserve help. That’s notokay with me.

My focus is on reaching veterans wherever they are and helping them navigate the next right step, without shame, without judgment, and without making them prove they’re worthy of support.

What I Want to Build Through SRC

At Serenity Recovery Connection, I want to strengthen the bridge between veterans and real-world support, both VA and non-VA.

Here’s the kind of work I want to do:

• Peer recovery coaching for veterans navigating substance use, mental health, trauma, and life transitions.
  
• Outreach and relationship-building with local veteran organizations, shelters, treatment providers, and communitypartners.
  
• Recovery navigation for all levels of care: detox, residential, outpatient, MAT linkage, and long-term recovery support.
  
• Court support and advocacy when legal issues are involved.
  
• Groups and community connections that help veterans find belonging again, not just services.
  
• Support for veterans who feel excluded, including those with complicated discharge situations.

A big part of this is stigma. Veterans often get labeled as “broken,” “dangerous,” or “unstable.” Men often get told they should “man up” and keep going. Both of those messages are deadly when someone is struggling. I want to be part of changing that.

Continuing to Serve, Just in a Different Way

The military taught me service. It taught me brotherhood. It taught me what it means to show up for people. Peer coaching is how I continue that mission. I don’t want to just “help veterans.” I want to stand with them. I want to create a space where they can be honest. Space where they can talk about trauma, addiction, fear, grief, guilt, and everything they’ve been trying to outrun.

Because I know what it feels like to think you’re alone in it. And I also know what it feels like when someone finally looks at you and says, “I get it. I’ve been there. Let’s take the next step together.” That’s what I’m here to do. If you’re a veteran reading this and you’re struggling: you’re not weak. You’re not crazy. You’re not a lost cause. You’re
human, and you’re worth fighting for. And you don’t have to do it alone.

Living without stable housing can make getting recovery support feel complicated, even before you feel hopeful. Your phone might be dead, your belongings could be stolen, transportation is unreliable, and most services expect you to fit your life around their schedules or are spread out across the city. I quickly learned that wanting help and being able to access it are two very different things.

When I was spending my days trying to gather enough money for food, people often offered help from their car windows —numbers, promises, programs. Most of it led nowhere. After a while, you stop expecting consistency.
Many unhoused people I meet now tell me the same thing: the hardest part isn’t finding resources, it’s finding
follow-through from agencies.

That disconnect keeps people from trusting organizations. It’s also why at Serenity Recovery Connection (SRC), our approach is different. We don’t assume one path works for everyone. We use a multiple-pathways recovery model, rely on peer recovery support, and partner with agencies such as Hope COS and Homeward Pikes Peak, as well as others across the region, so people can connect to resources that match their real-life circumstances.

Jeremy showed me how powerful that approach can be.

Jeremy’s Turning Point and How Recovery Works When You’re Homeless

Jeremy spent many days interacting with hundreds of strangers while flying a sign to put a few bucks in his pocket. The number of broken promises he encountered was overwhelming. That kind of repeated disappointment convinces you the system is unreliable, even when the desire to change is strong. For Jeremy, the difference came when support was not only accessible but coordinated, not through a single program, but several working together.

A DART officer referred him to SRC, and he and I began working together right away. While navigating homelessness, he made the most of every resource available to him. He didn’t rely on just one agency; he used a combination of peer recovery coaching, harm reduction support, VA veteran services, and case management from Volunteers of America (VoA).

Anything that helped him move toward stability, he used, whether it was mental health support, paperwork assistance, recovery meetings, or steps toward housing.

That’s the heart of recovery. Because healing is rarely a straight line and recovery has multiple pathways, it doesn’t need to rely on a single method. Jeremy practiced honesty, asked for help when he needed it, and explored different types of recovery—including abstinence-based pathways, when he felt ready. As his life
became more stable, he eventually chose to give up alcohol altogether. But that came after he had support that matched his circumstances, not expectations he couldn’t meet.

His progress wasn’t about perfection. It was about having options and access to low-barrier recovery services that remained steady no matter where he was sleeping.

Taking Recovery Services Directly to HomelessCamps

Last year, SRC strengthened this model by partnering with the Colorado Springs Police Department’s Homeless Outreach Team (HOT). Twice a week, HOT visits encampments across Colorado Springs and El Paso County to assess residents’ needs.

SRC joins them to provide substance use support, peer recovery coaching, and connection to treatment resources for anyone seeking help. For people without housing, traveling across town to an appointment can be nearly impossible. Outreach reduces that barrier. If someone has a phone, we encourage them to call or text when they’re able, and we adapt support to whatever their situation looks like that week. This type of flexible recovery
support for the unhoused keeps hope within reach.

Our outreach has grown beyond camps. SRC now connects with people at Marian House, across the Eastern Plains, in Teller County, and in Fremont County. This network is supported by teams like DART and the Homeless Outreach Program (HOP) through the Colorado Springs Fire Department and both county sheriff’s offices. These units help create coordinated care instead of isolated efforts.

Jeremy’s Progress

In just three months of dedicated effort and collaboration, Jeremyhas achieved stable housing, completed over 2 months of recovery, meets weekly with his coach, and is moving toward employment through an upcoming partnership with a case manager.

Let’s take a moment to celebrate Jeremy’s remarkable progress and the heart of peer coaching itself—its
potent ability to illuminate hope, empower sustainable change, and support people as they build a
brighter future.

A Final Word to Anyone Searching for Recovery While Homeless

If you’re unhoused and trying to figure out how to get substance use help, I want you to know this: recovery doesn’t require everything to be stable first. Stability grows from the small, realistic steps you take toward something better.

You don’t need a perfect plan or the “right” addiction recovery or alcohol recovery program. You’ll need a starting point. That can be one conversation, one connection, one moment of possibility.

That starting point might look like this:

• You talk with someone who listens.
• You connect with support that meets you where you are.
• You take one small step toward safety and stability.
  There are many ways to recover, and every pathway is valid. And
  every step forward matters.
  
  If you reach out, SRC and our community partners will help connect you to the recovery support services that can move your life toward safer ground—one practical step at a time.

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KOAA) — The cold temperatures meant a busy weekend for shelters offering a place for those who are homeless.

The Springs Rescue Mission tells News5 they provided beds to nearly 440 people on their most crowded night over the weekend, which is up compared to typical nightly numbers. They say they see around 380 people a night during the winter.

When I think about what it means to support recovery in rural communities, the first phrase that comes to mind is showing up. In many of the towns we serve, formal treatment options are few and far between. Transportation is limited, wait times are long, and too many people end up relying on the emergency room, first responders, churches, or small community centers when they need help.

Stigma can run deeper in small towns, where everyone seems to know everyone. That’s why a confidential, judgment-free peer connection matters so much. It gives people room to breathe, room to talk, and room to choose a path forward without fear of who might find out.

We set up pop-up coaching hours at trusted community sites, tables at local events, and step into the spaces that make sense for each town. We call it a “no wrong door” approach: wherever someone walks in, we’re ready to help.

Personal, Practical, and Trust-Based Support

Our role isn’t clinical. It’s practical, personal, and grounded in trust. We help people navigate resources, set goals, and keep moving forward when distance, cost, or technology gets in the way. We provide warm handoffs from ERs and first responders, safety planning, naloxone, and ongoing follow-up by phone or in person. When someone needs support with transportation, documentation, or recovery pathways, we stay with them until that barrier feels smaller. When local options are limited, we coordinate with telehealth to make sure the next step is measured in minutes, not miles. In rural communities, those small adjustments can be the difference between giving up and giving change a chance.

A Neighbor’s Journey: Building a Custom Recovery Pathway

In rural communities, the strength of recovery often comes from connection—neighbors showing up for neighbors. One recent experience reminded me why this work matters
so deeply. A partner agency reached out about a resident from a small southern Colorado town who was seeking support. During our first phone call, I offered a simple overview of our peer support program. They immediately expressed interest and scheduled an in-person meeting.

When we met, they shared a story that had shaken them: a welfare check initiated after they arrived at a school pickup under the influence of alcohol. No charges were filed,
but the moment prompted honest reflection. Shortly after, child welfare contacted them. Rather than avoiding the situation, they invited the caseworker into their home. “I have nothing to hide,” they told me.

Confidential Peer Support Was the Right Choice

They spoke candidly about how alcohol was affecting their life and expressed a clear desire for change. They had tried a faith-based recovery group before, but the small-town familiarity made participation uncomfortable.

“Everyone knows everyone,” they said. Together, we explored alternatives—recovery pathways aligned with their values, lifestyle, and privacy needs.

Developing a Solid, Step-by-Step Plan

Over several sessions, they developed a structured, sustainable recovery plan. They requested weekday check-ins for accountability and researched a remote breath monitoring device. They scheduled a full substance use assessment, explored weekly testing options, and completed an intake with a local counseling clinic. They also took practical steps toward long-term stability, including inquiring about a healthcare certificate program at a nearby community college.

Navigating Family and Work Stress

Life didn’t slow down to make room for recovery. Parenting schedules shifted, family tensions surfaced, and communication with a coparent became stressful. In coaching, we returned to what remained within their control: communicating with intention, setting healthy boundaries, and taking the next right step. They avoided negative talk about the other parent and connected with a low-barrier legal aid program for guidance on their parenting plan.

Developing a Solid, Step-by-Step Plan

There were meaningful victories, too. At work, they were unexpectedly interviewed for a promotion. They later told me, “Put me in; I am ready to learn.” They stayed consistent with sessions and accountability tools and celebrated two sober weeks with no cravings and a better mood. A particularly powerful moment came during a conversation with their youngest child about forgiveness. “It’s a conversation I will remember,” they said.

They also celebrated reaching 56 days in recovery—a milestone that reflected their
commitment. One of their goals for the week was simple but meaningful: using the
community’s Laundry Love resource to get their laundry done and maintain a sense of
order and dignity at home.

Why Rural Peer Support Endures

Today, this neighbor continues to engage in coaching, practice new coping skills, show up for counseling, and rebuild confidence at work and at home. Their progress is steady, grounded, and self-driven—one choice at a time. Their story underscores why rural peer support is so powerful: trust built through conversation, healing supported by community, and recovery defined not by perfection but by persistence.

*Details have been changed for privacy while preserving the spirit of the experience.

Recovery doesn’t happen by accident. It’s built with intention, consistency, and support. At Serenity Recovery Connection, we see every day how powerful it can be when people are given the tools and the peer support to chart their own path forward. One of the most effective tools on that path is a Recovery Wellness Plan, a self-directed roadmap that helps people move toward stability, purpose, and long-term well-being.

Unlike clinical paperwork, a personalized recovery wellness plan is written by the individual and supported by a Peer Recovery Coach. It’s practical, empowering, and rooted in the belief that people thrive when they shape their own journey. SRC’s peer-led approach reinforces this: we meet people where they are, honor their lived experience, and walk alongside them as they create a plan that works for their life. If you’ve ever wondered how to build a recovery wellness plan or what goes into writing a recovery plan that supports long-term recovery, this guide offers a clear, compassionate framework.

If you’ve ever wondered how to build a recovery wellness plan or what goes into writing a recovery plan that supports long-term recovery, this guide offers a clear, compassionate framework. At its core, a wellness plan helps someone understand where they are today, envision where they want to go, and break that path into actionable steps for recovery.

But what makes this tool stand out, especially within SRC’s holistic, person-centered model, is its commitment to holistic recovery, honoring the whole person rather than focusing solely on the symptoms of addiction recovery or substance abuse recovery.

Start with the Four Pillars of Recovery

The plan begins with SAMHSA’s four foundational pillars: Home, Health, Purpose, and Community. These pillars provide the basic structure for creating a personalized
recovery roadmap.

• Home: A safe, stable living environment.
• Health: Understanding triggers, managing symptoms, and building habits that
  support physical and emotional wellness.
• Purpose: Engaging in meaningful daily activities that create independence,
  structure, and motivation.
• Community: Supportive relationships and social networks that offer connection,
  hope, and encouragement.

Coaches guide recoverees in reflecting honestly on each pillar. What feels steady? What needs strengthening? This reflection serves as the foundation for setting goals in
a self-directed recovery plan guide that aligns with the individual’s needs and values.

Using SMART Goals to Make Progress Realistic

Recovery can feel overwhelming when viewed as one huge task. That’s why the
Recovery Wellness Plan incorporates SMART goals—Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-Bound. SMART goals turn big hopes into practical steps, helping people create momentum and see progress.

Whether someone is navigating early substance abuse recovery or rebuilding stability years into long-term recovery, SMART goals keep the process
grounded and achievable.

The Eight Dimensions of Wellness

After exploring the four pillars, the plan expands to SAMHSA’s Eight Dimensions of Wellness, offering a whole-person approach to recovery. Many people look for
a recovery wellness plan template, and these dimensions serve as a natural outline. Each section invites the individual to identify a goal, list action steps, choose potential supports, and establish a target date. This structure makes it easier to create a personalized recovery roadmap that fits real life.

Here’s how each dimension strengthens recovery:

• Occupational Wellness: Finding satisfaction or meaning in work or purposeful activity. Coaches support confidence and celebrate progress.
• Emotional Wellness: Building healthy coping skills, nurturing supportive relationships, and accessing therapy or counseling. Coaches act as steady,
  trusted allies.
• Environmental Wellness: Creating living conditions and surroundings that support health and safety. Coaches offer honest, practical feedback.
• Physical Wellness: Nutrition, sleep, exercise, medical care, and medication management. Coaches model what healthy routines can look like.
• Intellectual Wellness: Learning new skills, practicing creativity, and breaking old patterns. Coaches help problem-solve and encourage ongoing growth.
• Financial Wellness: Budgeting, paying bills, and managing money. Coaches connect people with community resources and tools.
• Social Wellness: Building healthy relationships, joining support groups, and engaging in community life. Coaches advocate for self-determination and dignity.
• Spiritual Wellness: Exploring meaning, grounding, and purpose. Coaches walk alongside individuals without judgment or assumptions.

These dimensions reinforce that holistic recovery is about more than avoiding harmful behaviors—it’s about building a life that feels full, connected, and worth
protecting.

Planning for Recurrence: Strength, Not Failure

A strong Recovery Wellness Plan includes a Recurrence Safety Plan, a
compassionate strategy for recognizing early signs of relapse risk across
emotional, mental, and physical domains. With their coach, the person in recovery lists triggers, identifies supportive contacts, and creates grounding strategies
to help prevent a slip from becoming a full return to use.

This isn’t about expecting someone to fail. It’s about building resilience and
understanding that recovery is a process—one that becomes stronger with preparation.

A Plan That Belongs to the Person in Recovery

What sets this plan apart from traditional treatment documents is ownership. The person in recovery writes it. They keep it. They update it. The Peer Recovery Coach walks with them, offering honesty, encouragement, and support—but the direction, pace, and goals belong entirely to the individual.

At Serenity Recovery Connection, this is the heart of our work. We don’t hand people a plan—we
help them build one that reflects their strengths, values, and hopes. We honor their autonomy,
celebrate their progress, and stand beside them as they revise, refine, and reclaim their own story.

Over time, the Recovery Wellness Plan becomes more than paperwork. It becomes a guide, a
mirror, and a reminder of inner strength:

I am capable.
I am worthy.
I am building my recovery one intentional step at a time.

And peer recovery coaches are here to walk with them—every step of the way.

Marking its fourth anniversary of locating multiple independent services in one building that specialize in assisting minor children who have been sexually
Abused, Safe Passage has brought mental health providers on staff to immediately provide free therapy to clients and their families.

Instead of contracting with The Family Center of Colorado Springs to provide therapeutic services, Safe Passage hired two trauma-focused clinicians earlier this year, with a goal of adding two more, said Maureen “Mo” Basenberg, executive director. “It had been a goal when we were putting the co-located model together,” she said. “It’s not something we were ready to take on when we opened four years ago; The Family Center helped us get the co-location off the ground.”

Fortunately, in Fremont County, some agencies offer services not only to help individuals access care, but they also take it a step further and meet those individuals outside their four walls.