SOUTHERN ILLINOIS, (WSIL) -- Take Action Today, a non-profit Recovery Community Organization known for its dedicated service to individuals battling substance use and homelessness, has marked a significant milestone with the opening of two new centers in Marion and Carbondale, Illinois. These openings bring the organization's reach to a total of seven locations, fortifying its commitment to providing grassroots recovery resources in rural communities.
Mike Tyson, a Certified Peer Recovery Specialist, who is at the helm as the founder and Executive Director of Take Action Today, states, 鈥淲e want to create solutions for rural 九游体育 Illinois communities.鈥� Tyson, speaking with News 3 at the ribbon-cutting ceremonies, highlighted the acute challenges these areas face: high poverty, incarceration rates, substance use, and homelessness.
The new centers offer a sanctuary for recovery and a suite of services tailored to meet a wide array of needs. Key services include:
- Recovery Coaching: Individuals can regularly meet with peer recovery specialists to set goals and develop action plans.
- Basic Amenities: The centers provide showers, laundry services, and food assistance.
- Coalition Building: Efforts to bring community members together to address pressing local issues.
- Overdose Survivor Kits: These contain Narcan, Fentanyl and Xylazine test strips, first aid supplies, and contact lists for further treatment and support.
- Volunteer Training: Training in mental health, substance abuse, overdose prevention, and suicide prevention.
With an understanding of local needs, Tyson remarked on the staggering number of individuals they encounter and assist through their services. 鈥淲e serve probably 100 different participants on a weekly basis just with our recovery coaching services,鈥� he said, emphasizing the scale of the operation and the community's reliance on their programs.
In an innovative move to increase accessibility to their services, Tyson says that Take Action Today is working on a new website featuring an interactive map as part of the 九游体育 Illinois Recovery Network. This map will guide users to necessary services based on their location, a crucial tool in a region where many are unaware of available support.
The mission of Take Action Today goes beyond immediate aid; it is also about kindling hope and inspiration for those who have been marginalized. The organization is a faith-based charity that operates inclusively, welcoming all individuals seeking recovery, regardless of their background.
As Take Action Today continues to garner support through grants and community donations, the impact of their work is noted across Franklin, Jefferson, Perry, and Williamson Counties. They say that their approach embodies a holistic recovery model, focusing on the physical, emotional, social, and spiritual well-being of each individual they serve.
For more information on Take Action Today and how to get involved or access services, visit .
Take Action Today is participating in #GiveSI. To donate to Take Action Today through , please visit and choose Take Action Today as your charity of choice.
