Peer Recovery Meetings
Open meetings Mon/Wed/Fri 7pm and Sat 10am. Coffee, real talk, and people who've walked this road.
Community recovery in Jackson County, Indiana
You're not alone. There's a bridge from where you are to where you want to be.
Bridge Forward Recovery Coalition is a community-led, peer-run nonprofit serving people in recovery from substance use disorder — and the families who love them. Free meetings. Real people. No judgment.
Start where you are
What brings you here today?
For myself
You're thinking about getting help, or you're already in recovery. Start with what to expect at your first meeting.
First meeting →For someone I love
You're worried about a child, partner, parent, or friend. Our family group is for you — you don't have to fix anyone, just show up.
Family support →I want to help
You've got an hour a week, a truck, a kitchen, or just willingness. There's a place for you here, no recovery experience required.
Volunteer →I want to give
Every dollar stays local. Coffee, gas cards, rent assistance, first-night-out kits, peer-mentor training. See where it goes.
Donate →Our mission
Recovery happens in community, not in isolation.
We exist to make sure that anyone in our town who wants to get well — or knows someone who does — can find a clear, judgment-free path to peer support, family resources, and reentry help. No insurance required. No paperwork to walk in.
Why peer support works
Recovery ripples outward.
One person in long-term recovery typically reaches two more people in their first three years of mentoring — coworkers, family members, neighbors who needed a real-world example more than another program brochure.
Those two people each reach two more. The math of peer recovery isn't linear; it's a ripple. That's why every dollar that puts one person through peer-mentor training pays out four, eight, sixteen times.
1 → 2 → 4 → 8+
People directly reached in years 1, 2, 3 and beyond, per trained peer mentor.
What we do
Programs & services
Six core programs, all peer-led, all free to attend. New people are welcome at every meeting — you don't need to call ahead.
Family Support Group
Tuesdays 6:30pm for parents, partners, and siblings. You can't fix it alone — and you don't have to.
Reentry Navigator
Coming out of jail or treatment? We help with IDs, transportation, housing leads, and the first 30 days of structure.
Naloxone Distribution
Free Narcan and training, no questions asked. Every household, every car, every workplace should have it.
Crisis Connector
Text or call our peer line. We meet you where you are — ER, parking lot, kitchen table — and stay until you're with the right help.
Sober Community Events
Bonfires, fishing trips, holiday dinners, kids' days. Sobriety doesn't mean boring — it means showing up.
90-second program finder
Not sure where to start? Three questions.
Tell us what brings you and we'll point you at the right meeting or resource. Nothing is recorded; this runs only in your browser.
Who is this for?
Step 1 of 3
Where are you in this right now?
Step 2 of 3
What feels most useful?
Step 3 of 3
The path through
Where you are today, and what comes next.
Recovery isn't a straight line, but there are common stages. Tap any stage below to see which of our programs serve people there.
You're not sure if any of this is for you.
Maybe you're worried about someone you love. Maybe you've been thinking about cutting back, or stopping, but you don't know if you're "bad enough" to need help. That doubt is the most common thing in our community — you'd be in good company walking in.
Board & leadership
The people running this.
Bridge Forward is led by a volunteer board of community members, recovery advocates, clinicians, and faith leaders — most of whom are themselves in long-term recovery. Email any of us; we read it.
Rachel Hennessey, CADC
Executive Director
Certified addiction counselor and the founding voice behind Bridge Forward. Lost her brother to overdose in 2018; built the coalition so other families wouldn't lose theirs the same way.
11 years in recoveryJames "Mac" McAllister
Board Chair
Retired Jackson County probation officer turned reentry advocate. Runs the reentry navigator program and meets people at the jail gate every Friday morning.
19 years in recoveryDr. Diane Park, MD
Medical Advisor
Family medicine physician at Schneck Medical Center. Volunteers monthly to train peer mentors on overdose response, withdrawal management, and harm reduction.
Medical advisor since 2023Pastor Theo Williams
Community Liaison
Pastor at Bethel AME Seymour. Bridges the coalition with congregations across the county; hosts our largest family-group meeting in the church annex on Tuesdays.
Community partnerStories of recovery
People, not statistics.
Recovery looks different for everyone. These are a few of the people who walked into Coalition Hall not sure if it was for them — and stayed. First names only; shared with permission.
Thinking about coming in?
What to expect at your first meeting
The hardest part is walking in the door. Here's everything we wish we'd known beforehand.
Do I have to share, or even say my name?
No. The only thing you have to do at your first meeting is sit in a chair. If you want to say "pass" when it's your turn, that's fine. If you want to use a different first name, that's fine too. People do it every week.
What if I'm not sober yet — can I still come?
Yes. We're a recovery coalition, not a sobriety test. The only ask is that you don't bring substances into the building. If you show up high or drunk we'd rather you come and sit quietly than not come at all — we just won't ask you to share that night.
If you're in active withdrawal or thinking about hurting yourself, please call 988 or our peer line at (812) 555-0142 before coming — we can meet you somewhere safer than a meeting room.
Will I be the only one new there?
Almost never. Most meetings have at least one or two people in their first 30 days. We open every meeting with "is anyone new tonight?" so newcomers get a quick welcome and a name to ask for if they get stuck.
You'll also see people with 10+ years of sobriety in the room. The mix is the point.
Is this religious?
No. Bridge Forward isn't a 12-step program and isn't tied to any faith tradition. We have members who are deeply religious, members who are atheist, and everyone in between. You're not asked to believe anything specific to participate.
If you are looking for faith-based recovery, we can refer you to good local options. Just ask.
How long does a meeting last?
90 minutes. We start on time, end on time, and don't go over. The first 15 minutes are intros and announcements, the middle hour is the topic / discussion, and the last 15 are coffee and informal conversation in the back. You can leave any time — nobody will chase you down.
What should I bring? What if I can't afford anything?
Bring yourself. That's it. Meetings are free — we pass a basket but you don't put anything in it unless you want to and can. Coffee is free, snacks are free, parking is free.
If you need a ride to get there, call the peer line before 5pm that day and we'll work something out. We mean that literally.
What if I cry, or get angry, or have to walk out?
Then you're in the right room. We've all done all three. Tissues are on every table. If you need to step outside, the back patio is for that — somebody will probably come check on you in a few minutes, not to bother you, just to make sure you're not alone.
A tool for you
Counting your days
If you're already in recovery and want to see your time laid out, plug in your sobriety date. Nothing is saved or sent — this just runs in your browser.
0 days
0years
0months
0weeks
0hours
Welcome to a great day.
Weekly meeting schedule
When the doors are open.
All meetings free, all open to newcomers, all at Coalition Hall unless otherwise noted. No signup, no ID, just walk in.
7:00 PM– 8:30 PM
Open Recovery Meeting
Coalition Hall · Coffee & snacks provided
8:30 PM– 9:30 PM
After-meeting fellowship
Back patio · All welcome
6:30 PM– 8:00 PM
Family Support Group
Bethel AME annex · Childcare provided
8:00 PM– 9:30 PM
Men's Recovery Meeting
Coalition Hall · Closed group
7:00 PM– 8:30 PM
Open Recovery Meeting
Coalition Hall · Newcomer welcome night
12:00 PM– 1:00 PM
Lunch & Connect
Coalition Hall · Free lunch, casual peer support
7:00 PM– 8:30 PM
Young People in Recovery
Coalition Hall · Ages 18–30
9:00 AM– 11:00 AM
Reentry Navigator Hours
Jackson County Jail entry · Walk-in IDs/intake
7:00 PM– 8:30 PM
Open Recovery Meeting
Coalition Hall · Speaker night
10:00 AM– 11:30 AM
Saturday Morning Meeting
Coalition Hall · Coffee & donuts
1:00 PM– 3:00 PM
Women's Recovery Circle
Coalition Hall · Closed group, tea served
6:00 PM– 9:00 PM
Sober Game Night
Coalition Hall · Bring a friend, bring a game
No formal meetings on Sunday — rest day. Peer line still answers 8am to midnight; 988 is live 24/7.
Want this on your calendar? Download all recurring meetings as a single file your phone or Google/Outlook/Apple calendar can read.
What's coming up
Special events & fundraisers
One-time events beyond the weekly schedule — community days, trainings, 5Ks, and fundraisers.
22
May
Open Recovery Meeting Weekly
26
May
Family Support Group Weekly
31
May
Walk for Recovery 5K Fundraiser
12
Jun
Naloxone Training & Free Narcan Community
28
Jun
Sober Family Lake Day Event
In the news
What people are saying.
We don't chase press, but when local outlets cover the recovery work happening in our county, we save the links so the next person searching us out can see what's real.
The Tribune
Mar 14, 2026
Seymour coalition hits 1,000th meeting attendance since launch
"We're not a treatment program — we're the front porch where treatment starts," said founder Rachel Hennessey. The coalition now serves four Indiana counties with peer-led meetings six nights a week.
Read coverage
WJAA-FM Local Voices
Feb 02, 2026
Bridge Forward distributes its 2,500th Narcan kit in Jackson County
A milestone the coalition didn't expect to hit until 2027. Free training is offered weekly at the county library; the program is funded by a state opioid abatement grant and individual donors.
Read coverage
Indiana Recovery Journal
Nov 21, 2025
A reentry program that meets people at the jail gate, literally
Profile of the coalition's Reentry Navigator program and the 73% one-year housing-stability rate among participants. "We don't lose touch in the first 30 days," explains program lead Mac McAllister. "That's the difference."
Read coverageSupport the work
Your donation keeps the doors open.
Every dollar stays local. We're a registered 501(c)(3); your gift is tax-deductible. EIN available on request.
Make a one-time gift
$25
$50
$100
$250
$500
$1,000
Prefer to mail a check? Make it out to Bridge Forward Recovery Coalition and mail to: 415 N Chestnut St, Seymour, IN 47274.
Where it goes
- ☕ $25 — Coffee, snacks, and lights on for a week of meetings
- 💊 $50 — 5 free Narcan kits distributed in the community
- 🚗 $100 — A week of gas cards for someone getting to treatment
- 🛏️ $250 — First-night-out kit: clothes, toiletries, ID help
- 🏠 $500 — A month's rent assist for someone in early recovery
High-impact giving
Sponsor a peer mentor — $1,200
One full peer-recovery certification course, plus 12 months of supervision. A single sponsorship typically yields a mentor who serves 30+ people in their first year alone.
2026 Community Resilience Fund
$0 raised of $25,000
0%
Funds emergency rent assistance, transportation to treatment, and first-night-out kits for people leaving jail or detox. 114 donors in 2026 so far — every gift counts.
We need you
Volunteer with us
Whether you've got two hours a month or two evenings a week, there's a place for you. No experience required — just willingness.
Ways to help
Pick anything — we'll match you with the program that fits.
- Set up / tear down for meetings
- Bring food for family group
- Drive someone to a meeting or appointment
- Sponsor or peer-mentor (training provided)
- Tabling at community events
- Bookkeeping, social media, or website help
People in early recovery are encouraged to volunteer. Showing up for others is part of how this works.
If you need help right now
Resources & hotlines
988 Suicide & Crisis
Call or text 988. Free, confidential, 24/7.
SAMHSA National Helpline
1-800-662-HELP (4357). Treatment referrals, English & Spanish.
Indiana 211
Dial 211. Food, shelter, utility help, recovery resources statewide.
📞
Bridge Forward Peer Line: (812) 555-0142 — 8am to midnight, every day. A real person picks up.
Find us
Stop by, call, or message us.
The door's open during all posted meeting hours, and someone usually answers the phone within 4 rings.
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Coalition Hall415 N Chestnut St, Seymour, IN 47274
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Phone(812) 555-0142 · Peer line answered 8am–midnight
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Emailhello@bridgeforward-coalition.example
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HoursMon–Sat, posted meeting hours · Closed Sun (peer line still on)
Parking on Chestnut, the side lot off 5th, and the church lot across the street (after 5pm).