The Walk-In Recovery Community Organization (WIRCO) is a nonprofit recovery community organization (RCO), established in 2010 as a community continuum of care for those living in post treatment recovery. It is intended as an access point and resource asset for those seeking community, professional and peer services in Madison, Wisconsin.

Since opening in September 2014, in a modest basement space, donated by the Asbury Methodist Church, only a few interested citizens have crossed the Recovery Support Center threshold. It is not for lack of concern for the growing issue of addiction in the Madison area, and the whole of the state, but because of a lack of funding.

They are hoping to change all of that through a fundraising effort, effective immediately. The purpose in this fundraising is to unveil their solution-focused, peer-based Recover Support Center (RSC) to the Madison recovery community and its allies, so that they may begin to build a solid foundation, increase awareness of services, and maximize their ability to advocate for those in recovery for the betterment of the whole community.

WIRCO will be presenting a comedy show event this spring, aptly titled, “Building A Recovery Community: A Matter of Laugh & Death,” as a culmination to their fundraising efforts.

WIRCO’s goal in this community event is to raise $25,000 for the WIRCO RSC, a modest objective for the humble beginnings of what they someday hope to generate annually. They are not only asking for fiscal endorsements from their community members, but also a support of spirit and cheer, as well as some practical hands-on help. They have been offering free weekly trainings in helping skills for those wishing to volunteer at the RSC, and will resume doing so in the coming months, as well as offering the same quality helping skills training for a nominal fee.

Since the WIRCO Board of Directors declared themselves as the pioneers of the RSC, maintaining a meager budget, whilst setting themselves up as a non-profit 501(c)(3). The time has come to increase their activity, their community value, and to entrust their future to the very people they intend to support in this community.

WIRCO have with us now a team of leaders, all of which carry a magnitude of recovery experience, with expertise in nonprofits, education, treatment, business, spirituality, and public relations. For the sake of raising both awareness and funds, they have brought on their team an essential cast of knowledgeable advocates, allies, and supporters. They are absolutely confident in their mission to serve the people of the state, beginning with our own neighborhood of Madison.

WIRCO’s categorical position of interest may be more expansive than some other agencies in the area, both state and local, moving beyond the task of battling classically treated substance use disorders. They are now focusing also on increasingly relevant issues, like, problem gambling, nicotine dependence, and problems associated to behavioral disorders. However, as many know, we here in Wisconsin, along with many other states across the country, are in the grip of a devastating heroin problem that has been called an all-out epidemic. Young people are picking up the dangerous drug at earlier ages, and are overdosing and dying at 200 times the rate they were just 7 years ago.

With the help of the community, WIRCO can build a recovery support center focused on solutions, rather than problems. They can frame a community alliance with neighborhood organizations, to create a cooperative of recovery focused agencies, and move forward into the future, where recovery is seen less as a handicap, and much more as a benefit, not just for those living life in recovery, but the entire community.

For more information please visit http://www.wirco.org/WIRCO_Site/Welcome…_Original_Youre_In_The_right_Place..html