Onyx Sober Living

In this episode, Wisconsin Voices for Recovery Director Cindy Burzinski talks with Julie Smith, founder of Onyx, peer-supportive housing for people in early recovery in Western Wisconsin. The goals of Onyx are to provide safe, sober housing and connect people with resources in the community, including outpatient treatment, Alano clubs, food shelves, churches, therapy, and good medical care. Residents are counseled to complete a minimum 4-month stay because everyone's recovery path is unique and takes time. In the podcast, Julie discusses some of the Onyx expectations, including maintaining 100% sobriety, as well as the challenges residents and Onyx face, including ongoing stigma and the shortage of sober and transition housing in Wisconsin. Nevertheless, she emphasizes the importance of approaching recovery with compassion and considering each member a part of the Onyx family. Onyx is continuing to build and expand across the Western Region of Wisconsin while maintaining the integrity of safe, supportive recovery residences. You can find the Onyx website at www.letsrecovertogether.org.