Auburn Nonprofit Celebrates Recovery Stories at Annual Event

When Lindsey Marr walked into Nick's Ride 4 Friends in 2022 struggling with drug addiction, she never imagined she'd be back years later as a staff member helping others find their way to recovery.

Last Saturday, Marr attended her favorite event of the year. Nick's Ride 4 Friends held its fifth annual Recovery Speaks event at its historic Chapel Street headquarters in Auburn, giving people in recovery a chance to share their stories with the community.

The nonprofit, which celebrated 10 years of providing peer-based recovery services in March, hosted speakers who talked about persistence and hope. A barbecue and live music created a warm atmosphere as attendees reconnected and celebrated their journeys.

Marr now works at Nick's Ride as a staff member and peer support specialist. She entered a raffle at the event, with all proceeds supporting the nonprofit's work.

Local businesses and community members donated prizes, including gift cards to Mesa Grande Taqueria and tickets to The Rev Theatre Company productions. Marr won the prize she wanted most: two theater tickets to take her sponsor, Dorothy Radcliff, who has supported her sobriety journey for the past seven months.

Thomas Hurst, who recently joined Nick's Ride full-time after months of volunteering, said the event serves an important purpose beyond celebration. Other recovery programs in the area set up information tables so people could learn about services that might work best for them.

"It's a way for our community to connect and see what options work best for them," Hurst explained. "Comfort, safety and security are top priorities for us."

Garrett Hardy, who works for another Cayuga County nonprofit serving formerly incarcerated individuals struggling with mental health and substance abuse, attended Recovery Speaks for the first time. He appreciated the chance to meet others working in the field and their clients.

"We're all here for the same reason," Hardy said. "To collaborate, listen, and show that we care."

THE RIPPLE EFFECT

Events like Recovery Speaks help break down the isolation that often surrounds addiction recovery. When people share their stories openly, it creates permission for others to seek help and reminds everyone in recovery that they're not alone.

The gathering also strengthens connections between different recovery programs in Cayuga County. By working together instead of in silos, these organizations can better serve people who need support finding the right path forward.

Nick's Ride 4 Friends has been providing this kind of community-centered support for a decade now, proving that peer-based recovery works when people feel safe, connected, and valued.

Saturday's event showed that recovery isn't just about stopping destructive behaviors—it's about building a life worth celebrating.