Mission and Impact
New Roots was founded in August of 2018 to address the growing need for peer-driven recovery services in Northeast Pennsylvania. What started with one location in Wilkes-Barre, PA next to the county prison has grown into a network of vibrant centers of community life in Luzerne County for people experiencing Substance Use Disorders (SUD) and their loved ones to heal and thrive in a safe, comfortable, engaging and diverse setting.
“Never in a million years did we think we’d be with all these facilities, have all these employees, and provide the level of impact that we have,” said Kristin Topolski, CEO of New Roots, Inc. “It’s been phenomenal.”
New Roots’ mission is important due to the opioid epidemic’s specific and devastating impact on the region. Our Recovery Support Centers are places for any adults seeking support on their recovery journey to be welcomed by peers and find supportive services in order to begin to make, or continue to make, personally relevant choices that will support them on their pathway towards sustained recovery. While engaged at the center, individuals can develop and implement skills, competencies, and connections uniquely found in the recovery community that enhance the ability to begin or maintain long-term recovery. A community setting allows for a less intimidating environment for individuals seeking support to initiate, map out, and implement a recovery plan with a Certified Recovery Specialist (CRS) who has lived experience. New Roots operates with the understanding that a peer-based staff with lived experiences value an inclusive and supportive employment culture.
Through our mission, skilled employees and inclusive environment, we are able to cite the real impact.
More than 2,000 individuals have received support services through New Roots, and our programming has generated nearly 100,000 touchpoints with these individuals. Additionally, the vast majority of those who engage with New Roots report not only a reduction in substance use and engagements with the criminal justice system, but also and increase in social connectedness.