Nirco Northern IL Rco

10/23/2025

🎉 We’re honored! 🙌🏼 NIRCO has been named Employer of the Year by the Waukegan Coalition to Reduce Recidivism at their annual luncheon! 🏆

This recognition celebrates our ongoing commitment to hiring and empowering justice-impacted individuals — people rebuilding their lives, finding purpose, and contributing to our community through meaningful employment.

“We are proud to employ individuals who bring strength, resilience, and lived experience to our mission,” said Dr. Mary Roberson, Executive Director of NIRCO. “This award reaffirms our commitment to breaking cycles of incarceration and supporting pathways to recovery, purpose, and hope.”

We share this honor with every partner, staff member, and peer who believes in second chances and the power of recovery through community. 💙

Read the full story here ➡️ https://www.nircolakecounty.org/post/nirco-recognized-as-employer-of-the-year-by-the-waukegan-coalition-to-reduce-recidivism

Northern Illinois Recovery Community Organization (NIRCO) is honored to receive theEmployer of the Year Award from the Waukegan Coalition to Reduce Recidivism for ourcontinued commitment to providing second-chance employment opportunities for justice-impacted individuals. The award was presented at....

07/22/2025

We were glad to welcome staff from Northern Illinois Recovery Community Organization (NIRCO) to the Harvest Market this week. NIRCO works to support individuals and families navigating substance use, mental health, and justice system involvement through peer-led recovery services, education, and community advocacy.

Thank you for being a community partner and for taking the time to share valuable information and resources with our clients. At UMMA, we believe strong community connections are key to building opportunity and advancing equity—and we’re grateful to work alongside organizations like NIRCO that share that commitment.

Learn more about their work at nircolakecounty.org

07/09/2025

Mary Roberson

07/04/2025

Community members come on out

07/04/2025

This is so on point!!

Mary Roberson

Independence in recovery doesn’t always look like fireworks and parties.
Sometimes it looks like:
Saying no to an invite
Leaving early to protect your peace
Calling a peer instead of picking up
Choosing a recovery meeting over a BBQ

You’re allowed to protect your freedom, especially the kind you fought for in recovery.
We see you. We’re with you. And your version of “independence” is more than enough.

06/19/2025

Team NIRCO celebrating Juneteenth.

06/17/2025

Had a very productive day on Capitol Hill with Faces And Voices Of Recovery 

04/10/2025

🚨 Major Decline in U.S. Fentanyl Deaths at Risk Due to Federal Cuts 🚨​

Recent data reveals a significant 33% drop in synthetic opioid fatalities, primarily from fentanyl, totaling 52,400 deaths over a 12-month period ending in October 2024. This progress is largely attributed to investments in public health initiatives and the widespread distribution of naloxone. However, new federal budget cuts under the Trump administration are threatening to reverse these gains. Essential harm-reduction programs and public health infrastructures are facing dismantlement, with significant layoffs and funding losses impacting state programs and nonprofits. Experts warn that these cuts could have "sinister consequences" for overdose prevention efforts.​
Reuters

Read more about the potential impact of these budget cuts on the fight against the opioid crisis:​

The U.S. has recorded a historic drop in overdose deaths. The Trump administration’s campaign to slash spending and reduce the federal workforce could reverse this fragile progress, public health experts say

04/10/2025

Mark your calendars for another Women’s Round Table Discussion with this year’s theme: Women Walking in Freedom. Event will take place on Friday, April 18, 2025 | 12:00PM - 1:00PM

Join us during your lunch to hear compelling stories of how women have changed their narrative and are now "walking in freedom". This event is open to men and women, informing the public of the hardships women face after incarceration while providing solutions. There will be a panelist of speakers along with the event's Facilitator, Dr. Mary Roberson, Executive Director of NIRCO. This event is FREE and open to the public and will be streamed on Facebook.

We have an exhilarating lineup of guest panelists for our upcoming Round Table discussion that you won’t want to miss! Dr. Mary Roberson, the outstanding Executive Director of NIRCO, will be leading the discussion with enthusiasm. She will be joined by incredible panelists: Jessica Baynes, NIRCO Project Coordinator working with Justice Impacted Families; Maritza Gutierrez, an inspiring entrepreneur and hair salon owner; and Maritza Albarran from the Justice Impacted Ministry at Jesus' Name Apostolic Church, all eager to share their experiences. Stay tuned for more exciting updates for this empowering Women's Round Table Discussion. It's going to be an amazing experience! 🎉✨

LOCATION: NIRCO Hub | 202 S. Genesee Street | Waukegan, IL 60085 “A conviction does not have to be a life sentence”. C2RR Motto. DONATIONS ARE WELCOMED!

RSVP to Ms. Robbie Randle at rrandle@waukegantownship.com

03/31/2025

Brooklyn Mattison
Tiffany Peppers

The Northern Illinois Recovery Community Organization (NIRCO) is proud to be a vital part of the Restore, Reinvest, and Renew (R3) initiative, a groundbreaking program created under the Illinois Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act. Through this initiative, a portion of cannabis tax revenue is reinvested...

03/31/2025

📢 Advocating for a Stronger Focus on Substance Use Disorder (SUD) in HHS Reorganization

NIRCO is calling on government leaders to prioritize substance use disorder (SUD) in the reorganization of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). As our nation continues to face a substance use crisis, it is essential that the restructured HHS enhances its capacity to address SUD through integrated services, increased funding, and innovative approaches to treatment and recovery.

We have made progress in reducing overdose deaths, but we must continue accelerating these efforts. The recovery community is deeply concerned that SUD was not addressed in the recent announcement about restructuring HHS. Without a dedicated focus, the reorganization could fragment services and reduce essential support for individuals and families affected by addiction.

NIRCO stands ready to collaborate with the administration to ensure that the voices of those with lived experience are heard and their needs prioritized. We urge leaders to allocate resources and strengthen efforts to promote prevention, early intervention, treatment, and peer recovery support services.

🤝 Together, we can build a stronger, healthier future for individuals and families across the country.