On Our Own

Mission and Philosophy:

On Our Own operates as a peer recovery center and supportive community with the mission to provide free peer support, self-help, education, guidance, advocacy, and referral services for adults who have acknowledged that they have experienced significant problems in their lives due to challenges with mental health, substance use, or trauma. The organization emphasizes their peer-based approach, with all staff and volunteers sharing lived experience with their clients, creating an environment where "they get it" and are genuinely there for those seeking support.

Core Services and Approach:

Peer Support Model: The organization operates on a peer support model where all staff and volunteers have personal lived experience with mental health, substance use, or trauma challenges. This creates a unique understanding and connection with clients, as the staff truly understand what individuals are going through from personal experience.

Accessibility and Inclusivity: On Our Own provides ALL their peer support services at absolutely no cost to clients. They do not require identification, diagnosis, or insurance coverage. When they say "all are welcome," they mean it unconditionally. This removes barriers that might prevent individuals from accessing crucial support services.

SMART Recovery Facilitation: Multiple staff members are trained as SMART Facilitators, indicating the organization offers SMART Recovery programming, which is a self-management and recovery training program that helps people recover from addiction and addictive behaviors.

Harm Reduction Outreach: The organization employs a dedicated Harm Reduction Outreach Coordinator, demonstrating their commitment to meeting people where they are in their recovery journey and reducing the harmful consequences of substance use rather than requiring immediate abstinence.

Community Partnerships and Specialized Programs:

Offender Aid and Restoration Partnership: On Our Own provides substance abuse treatment services for adult, non-violent, substance-dependent felony offenders as an alternative to incarceration. This partnership demonstrates their commitment to serving vulnerable populations and supporting criminal justice reform through treatment-based alternatives.

Region Ten Community Services Board Collaboration: The organization works with Region Ten Community Services Board to help community members with serious mental health challenges understand their conditions and develop individualized paths to recovery. This partnership ensures comprehensive mental health support within the broader community services network.

Projects for Assistance in Transition from Homelessness (PATH): On Our Own partners with PATH to provide outreach and assistance to adults with serious mental health challenges who are experiencing homelessness or are at risk of becoming homeless. They have a dedicated Region Ten PATH Liaison on staff, showing their commitment to addressing the intersection of mental health and housing instability.

Professional Staff and Leadership:

The organization employs a diverse team of credentialed professionals including Peer Recovery Specialists (PRS), Certified Peer Recovery Specialists (CPRS), and specialized facilitators. Staff roles include:

• Executive Director
• Associate Director who also serves as a SMART Facilitator
• Region Ten PATH Liaison
• ADS (Alcohol and Drug Services) specialist
• Harm Reduction Outreach Coordinator
• APPR (Adult Peer and Parent Recovery) Facilitator
• Media and Outreach Manager
• Multiple Peer Recovery Specialists

Governance and Community Support:

The organization is governed by a Board of Directors including positions of President, Secretary, and Treasurer, along with additional board members, ensuring proper oversight and community representation.

Historical Connection and Community Identity:

On Our Own operates from a historically significant location in Charlottesville's Vinegar Hill neighborhood. Their building at 123 4th Street NW has deep historical connections to the African American community, having been the home and medical practice of Dr. George F. Johnson and his wife Peachie Carr Johnson in the early 1900s. Dr. Johnson was one of Charlottesville's well-known Black doctors, and Mrs. Johnson was an educator and community leader who taught at Jefferson School and served as president of the Virginia State Federation of Colored Women's Clubs.

Funding and Sustainability:

The organization operates through a combination of grants and donor support, explicitly choosing not to bill insurance to maintain their barrier-free access model. They actively engage in fundraising through various channels including their website, Facebook page, and Amazon Wishlist, allowing community members to easily support their mission.

Community Engagement and Transparency:

On Our Own produces annual reports and maintains active community engagement through video content featuring members, staff, and volunteers. They have established a YouTube channel to share stories and information about their work, demonstrating transparency and community connection in their operations.