Missoula Food Bank & Community Center believes we have an important role in building a healthier and more inclusive Missoula. We pledge to create a healthy, safe, and stigma-free work environment through our participation in the Recovery Friendly Workplace (RFW) Initiative. As a Recovery Friendly Workplace, we promote policies and practices intended to bring about positive changes within our workplace and the community.

As an organization:

• We commit to recognizing the value of recovery and that there are multiple pathways to recovery. We recognize substance use disorders (SUD) are pervasive and are compounded by shame and stigma. We recognize SUD uniquely impacts those around the person suffering, particularly loved ones, family, and co-workers. We recognize that help and support must extend to those who are affected by someone else’s SUD.

• We commit to educating our staff and volunteers on SUD, recovery, harm reduction, and creating a workplace where it is safe to ask for help. Our staff and volunteers in recovery will be valued and supported.

• We commit to create a cultural shift where SUD is perceived as a public health issue with solutions rather than a personal failure. Recovery may look different from person to person and is something to be celebrated.

• We commit to provide support and resources to staff and volunteers that are healing, maintaining, struggling with relapse or recurrence of symptoms. We will share with staff and volunteers resources for prevention, education, treatment, and intervention.

• We commit to supporting staff and volunteers who are managing these complicated issues in their homes by fostering a workplace environment that prioritizes honesty, acceptance, and mutual support.

• We commit to evaluating our organizational culture in relation to substance use and will implement any needed changes in policies, practices, or traditions to be more inclusive of people in or seeking recovery.

• We commit to identifying and supporting community partners and organizations aligned with our goals.

If you have any questions about this new effort, contact Amy Allison, Executive Director of Missoula Food Bank & Community Center.