Friends of Recovery Oswego County opens Recovery Community Center

by Contributor | June 11, 2025 10:13 am

FULTON – In order to address stigma and improve the understanding and acceptance of substance use disorder as a chronic disease, a grass roots effort to form a Recovery Community Organization in Oswego County began in 2022. Three years after the establishment of Friends of Recovery of Oswego County its Recovery Community Outreach Center has grown from a modest space in the McCrobie Building in Oswego to a 3,000 square foot facility in Fulton.

Located at 808 West Broadway, Friends of Recovery of Oswego County’s Recovery Community Outreach Center is a safe space that addresses the needs of people that are impacted by opioids or substance use disorder in a non-clinical, non-judgmental way.

The opening on the Recovery Community Center will be celebrated with a Grand Opening event at 2:00 p.m. on June 24^th. Light refreshments will be served, followed by a Resource Fair from 2:15 to 4:00 p.m. and Community Conversations about Substance Use Disorder from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m.

“We are very much looking forward to the grand opening of our center and I invite everyone to be a part of it and join us for our Community Conversation,” said Friends of Recovery of Oswego County (FOROC) Executive Director Virginia Bough. “Our community conversation will focus upon harm reduction. Harm reduction teaches how to talk with others without judgement and to listen deeply to the stories people share. Harm reduction includes all paths to recovery as defined by each person in their own way. No path is better or worse than another. We can talk about drugs including alcohol, harm and how to reduce harm without confrontation in ways that are respectful, kind, compassionate, and free of moral judgement. Community conversation is not only useful for people with opioid use disorder but also friends, family, and everyone open to learning about harm reduction.”

Staff at the FOROC’s Recovery Center provide support to persons of all ages impacted by substance use disorder, be it those using or recovering, family members or friends. It also serves as a drop-in center where individuals may gather with others like themselves to support each other on their journey to recovery.

“Everyone is welcome at our Recovery Community Outreach Center, said Executive Director Virginia Bough. “We are much more than just a drop-in center. It’s a welcoming space for mindfulness, personal reflection, and connection to community. In addition to information on recovery and referrals to agencies, we strive to end the stigma of substance use disorder and offer a wide range of services including peer to peer recovery advocacy , technology and internet access for participants use for telehealth, job and housing searches, and educational pursuits.”

One of the most important aspects of the services available at the Recovery Community Outreach Center is its focus on harm reduction. To that end, the center’s staff provides resources such as Naloxone kits and training to reverse an opioid overdose, Fentanyl and Xylazine testing strips, Detera bags to destroy medications, condoms, wound care items, safety whistles and more.

“The education and activities we provide are rooted in harm reduction. Whether those visiting our center are still using, just quit using, or in long-term recovery, we treat them with the kindness and compassion they deserve. Our goal is to keep people as healthy as possible,” said Bough.

Bough stated that education and training are key components of harm reduction. Those visiting the center will have access to Overdose Prevention and Naloxone training. Presentations from a variety of agencies such as Oswego County Opportunities (OCO), Farnham Family Services, Catholic Charities, and others that provide services related to treatment for substance use disorder, housing, food insecurity, healthcare, transportation, and employment.

The opening of the Fulton RCOC was made possible by an Opioid Abatement grant from Oswego County Division of Mental Hygiene.

“We’re excited about the opening of our Recovery Community Outreach Center, added Bough. “Our volunteers and dedicated board members have worked hard to make our new center a reality. Everyone is welcome to access our services and join us for the many activities and events that we will be hosting.” For more information on our services and hours visit our website, forosweocounty.org[1] or call the RCOC at 315-297-4300.

Source URL: https://oswegocountytoday.com/community/friends-of-recovery-oswego-county-opens-recovery-community-center/

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