Lyons Joins Georgia Recovery-Ready Workplace Initiative
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The City of Lyons is the only city in the state to be selected to join the Georgia Recovery-Ready Workplace Initiative (GROW), which works to expand employment opportunities for individuals in recovery and build supportive, stigma-free workplaces that address addiction and promote overall wellbeing.
The GROW Initiative continued from page
is brand-new, as Georgia Southern University’s Center for Addiction Recovery received a $529,144 grant from the Foundation For Opiod Response Efforts in August 2025 to launch this new two-year program, which would help to create recovery-friendly workplaces.
The project comes after Georgia Southern University researchers discovered that 70.3% of individuals in active addiction – totaling around 13.6 million people – are employed, and 8.5% of the nation’s workforce – totaling around 13.3 million employees – are in recovery from alcohol or a related drug issue.
“Gainful and stable employment is one of the most powerful tools we have to support long-term recovery,” commented Georgia Southern University Center for Addiction Recovery Executive Director Robert Bohler, Ph.D, who is overseeing the Initiative. “This project will not only help individuals overcome employment barriers but also equip employers with the knowledge and tools to foster recovery-ready environments.”
Georgia Southern University Department of Public Health and Nonprofit Studies Assistant Professor and Project Co-Investigator Ryan Lofaro, Ph.D., added, “Employment is a cornerstone of recovery, yet it’s often overlooked in public health responses to the opioid crisis. Through GROW, we’re not only expanding access to meaningful work for individuals in recovery – we’re also creating workplace environments that actively support prevention, facilitate access to treatment and sustain long-term recovery.”
The City of Lyons is one of ten employment ambassadors selected to participate in the project, and is the only city and only employer with less than 500 employees to join the Initiative.
“The City of Lyons is honored to become the first local government in Georgia to join the GROW Initiative through the Georgia Council for Recovery and the Georgia Southern Center for Addiction and Recovery,” Lyons City Manager Jason Hall commented. “This designation reflects our commitment to fostering a recovery-friendly workplace and supporting opportunities that strengthen our employees, families, and community.” As part of the Initiative, training will come from the Georgia Council for Recovery to employers through the employers’ partnerships with Recovery Community Organizations (RCOs) – meaning, locally, this training will come through the City of Lyons’ longstanding partnership with the Gardens of Hope Recovery Community Organization.
“We extend our appreciation to Gardens of Hope Recovery Community Organization for their partnership and dedication to serving individuals and families throughout our region, as well as to all the organizations that made this milestone possible,” Hall continued. “Together, we are building a stronger, healthier, and more resilient Lyons.”
Gardens of Hope Recovery Community Organization Executive Director Jimbo Partin also spoke about the opportunity. “We are honored to partner with Georgia Southern University’s Center for Addiction Recovery and the Georgia Council for Recovery as we continue expanding the GROW Initiative across Georgia,” he shared. “The City of Lyons has demonstrated outstanding leadership by becoming the first governmental agency in our state to make this commitment. We hope this milestone encourages other cities, counties, public agencies, and employers to recognize that investing in recovery is an investment in stronger workplaces, healthier employees, and more resilient communities.”
This Initiative will not be the first time in which individuals recovering from addiction will be working with the municipality, as over the years, the City has worked alongside other recovery groups in the area to provide employment. One example of this is Lyons Employee Dana Jones, who after being accepted into the Addiction Recovery Center (ARC) in Wheeler County, gained employment with the City and has since been praised for her strong work ethic, compassionate spirit, and unwavering determination. “[Jones’s] transformation is a testament to the power of community, support, and belief in redemption,” Gardens of Hope Recovery Community Organization Certified Peer Specialist Parent/Case Manager Amy Cruz emphasized.
Another example is Lyons Community Development Director Jessica McCoy, who is a person living in long-term addiction recovery. McCoy shared her support of the City’s enthusiasm to join the Initiative, as she stated, “It is incredible to see how God has moved in and through people at Gardens of Hope Recovery Community Organization and the City of Lyons in the particular platform, which has created a workforce culture that supports people in recovery. It is a work culture of love, encouragement, support, and connection, built upon investing in people and not just productivity and numbers, where relationships are nutured and grow, which ultimately benefits all employees, employers, and the community in which they operate. If the programming and support services help someone in recovery, they will also help uplift the single mom, the family with an elderly or aging parent, the employee with a chronic illness or mental health issue, or the employer going through a divorce. It is so much bigger than just supporting our peers in recovery – it is for all of us!”
Over the next two years, the City of Lyons will receive comprehensive training on topics such as addiction science, stigma reduction, recovery-oriented policies and the benefits of hiring individuals in recovery, as well as access to a toolkit and website that will provide ongoing education about creating a recoveryfriendly workplace.
SUPPORTING THE PROJECT – Lyons Community Development Director Jessica McCoy (left) and Lyons City Manager Jason Hall (right) have both been very supportive of the project, as they shared their excitement to continue to improve the community through this Initiative.
Story Walk Participants stopped by Altamaha EMC – Pictured, Maesen Love, Weston Poole, Soperton Altamaha EMC customer service representative Peggy Cauley, Lisa Byrd, Avery Grace Lockley, & Jase & Jada Giles with their grandfather Michael Giles, Altamaha EMC District Manager.
Madison Acosta with pages from the children’s picture book ‘Bear Snores On’ at Hall Bookkeeping.
