Commitment to Recovery

Making a Commitment to Recovery.
November 20, 2024

Oxford Federal Credit Union’s relationship with both Larry Labonte Recovery Center (LLRC) and Western Maine Addiction Recovery Initiative (WMARI) began simply - as an event sponsor and fundraiser donor. But it wasn’t long before the need for recovery resources became more apparent and more important to us as an organization. OFCU staff live and work here, and it is likely that nearly every person on the team has been affected by substance use disorder (SUD) in some way.

To learn more about SUD, we asked LLRC and WMARI to offer voluntary Narcan training for our staff and install a Naloxbox in each of our branches.

OFCU recently partnered with LLRC to help sustain the center’s operations for one year by replacing funding that was expected but not received, and we are currently offering a financial education series at the center for people in recovery and the community. As part of an organized campaign to express support, our President/CEO Joann Bisson wrote a letter to the Maine Recovery Council to request they prioritize funding for recovery in Western Maine.

Our involvement with WMARI is also growing. Members of our team attended their Recovery Rally and we hope to offer financial classes there, too, as we continue to support their efforts in the Oxford Hills area.

Why do we feel it’s important to be involved and committed? Joann sums it up pretty well, “By supporting those in recovery, and helping to end the stigma of recovery, we can help make our communities healthier, safer and more vibrant for everyone.”  

If you or someone you know is need of the resources these organizations offer, or if you'd like to get involved in some way, please use the links above to visit their websites.