You Are Not Alone!

Do you struggle with addiction? Or circumstances from past addictions or their destructive influences? Provoking Hope, serving the Greater Willamette Valley, is a diverse nonprofit organization offering Addiction and Recovery Wrap-around Services and Resources. Designed to assist individuals striving to have a better life, Provoking Hope focuses on four basic support programs: Prevention, Intervention, Facilitation, and Reduction. Through these programs, Provoking Hope mentors, educates, and assists with the day-to-day struggles one faces in trying to build or rebuild a life.

President and Founder, Diane Reynolds points out, “We often see people who are not using drugs or alcohol. Maybe they were, or maybe they were raised by parents who did, and they’re struggling with doing life on life’s terms.” They come from various backgrounds, but they lack life skills. Provoking Hope ministers to these individuals through the Facilitation’s transitional housing program, placing them in a Hope house for 12-18 months to learn essential life skills. 

Facilitation includes a Family Program as well, which works with parents to help them understand why they parent the way they do, and how to correct those ways. They are also taught basic daily routines and lifestyle changes that can make life enjoyable instead of hard. Many referrals come from the Courts, Social Services, and Oregon Corrections, but in addition, “We have about 575 people per month who walk through our door who weren't referred by anyone. They just are ready to be done using,” Diane relates.

Not everyone is capable, or ready, to walk the road of recovery. Provoking Hope’s Harm Reduction Program meets individuals where they’re at, focusing on outreach, disease prevention, education, and linkage to addiction treatment, rather than on prevention of substance use itself. 

A compassionate staff of peers (non-clinical), mentor, direct to resources, drive to appointments, accompany to court hearings, family decision meetings, and the like. They also help obtain copies of birth certificates, Social Security cards, and the like. “They all have lived experience in the realm of addiction and sometimes with mental health,” Diane points out. Most are mentoring people they know, so there’s no authority barrier to overcome. 

Community members, staff, and program members contribute about 400 volunteer hours each month for Provoking Hope or in community outreach at Hope on the Hill, Rock of Ages Retirement, food banks, and missions.

In December, Santa will appear in the 10th Street lobby to entertain children with gifts and photos (check for exact date), and staff will enjoy a week’s sabbatical to spend with their families.

Visit Provoking Hope on Facebook, or provokinghope.com for information, program details, and Recovery members’ video testimonials (Facebook). 24 Hour Crisis Line (971) 312-3752.

Provoking Hope is located at 213 NE 10th St, McMinnville. Reach out to (971) 228-2020 or email info@provokinghope.com. Article sponsored by Encore Home Furnishings.