This past semester I had the opportunity to sit down with founder and executive director Tori Utley of More Than An Addict to discuss recovery stigma, education, and advocacy outreach.
More Than An Addict is an innovative recovery from addictions advocacy organization. Head-quartered in Rochester, Minnesota, this philanthropic foundation’s goal is to help battle addiction stigma by supporting individuals in recovery that may be pursuing education, employment and entrepreneurship.
As a past addictions counselor and daughter of a recovering alcoholic, Tori Utley knows the ignominy that can follow those in addictions recovery.
Grounded in mission as a not for profit financial support group, More Than An Addict, helps spread the light of hope through monetary means via grants, scholarships, micro loans and venture capital.
More Than An Addict is a relatively new non-profit recovery organization, yet it has already made across the country impact as recipient of the Judge’s Choice Winner for the Recovery Brands #LIVESChallenge. More Than An Addict’s video “This Is a Journey,” staring Chelsee Ferk, earned the organization $5,000 as start-up capital.
Currently, More Than An Addict is partnering with Collider, a Rochester based entrepreneurial “hub” that offers desk and conference space for small businesses and RCO (Recovery Community Organization) to present a December 2016 awarding of an educational scholarship of $1,000 and an entrepreneurial award valued over $1,000 to individuals in long term recovery.
In the near future, Tori Utley will be able to be viewed in a TEDx talk from TedxZumbroRiver (taped Spring 2016) titled, “Why Recovering Addicts Make the Best Employees.” In her TEDx talk, Tori shares more about More Than An Addict and her collaboration with her father to open “sober housing” for those seeking recovery.
-Marcia Mihalovic
