Who Are We? Bridges to Recovery is a grant-funded, non-profit, community organization that offers support, services, and connections for individuals affected by, seeking or are in recovery from substance use disorder. The individuals we serve have Substance Abuse Disorders and our services are provided at no cost to the individual.
Our Culture: It is the evidence-based practice of Bridges to Recovery that there is not one right way to recovery and, therefore, we support all avenues of recovery.
Executive Director
My biggest priorities are my faith and my family. My husband and I have been married since 2017. We have a 5-year-old son, a 3-year-old daughter, and a dog. We currently live in an RV and it’s a crazy adventure that has brought us even closer as a family.
I also enjoy nature, sports, puzzles, board games, and watching TV. My go-to shows are Gilmore Girls, Heartland, and Friends.
In addition to working with Marinette County Group Home Association, I coach varsity volleyball at STAA, co-own a business with my husband (Steeber Solutions), craft wood engravings (Fortitude Flame Engravings), and am getting more involved with local politics.
“Vulnerability sounds like truth and feels like courage. Truth and courage aren’t always comfortable, but they’re never weakness.”
Project Director/Case Manager
meghanr@mmbridges2recovery.com
Meghan Rutherford is a Marinette native who is passionate about bettering and connecting our community. Meghan is a Certified Social Worker who sits on several community boards and has worked locally throughout her professional career. Meghan’s goal for Bridges to Recovery is for all individuals impacted by substance abuse in Marinette and Menominee to be welcomed in and supported through its agency. Meghan believes that bettering one life in our community betters them all.
CASE MANAGER
bobbijom@mmbridges2recovery.com
Book lover, crafter, writer, sister, mother, and wife, I have worked in a Nonprofit for nearly 15 years, primarily in a shelter. I grew up in Green Bay and moved to Madison, WI, area for 25 years. After losing a family member to an overdose and serving clients within the violence and homelessness field, I noticed a trend of individuals needing more support and options on their journey to recovery and self-sufficiency. I aim to create a supportive place for people to come and feel heard without fear of judgment. My door is always open!
Wellness & Recovery Coordinator
I’m a Mom, grandma, wife, and daughter of an amazing Father who loves her faith, family, friends, water, camping, nature, learning and is passionate about personal growth and helping others. I have found life and purpose in long-term recovery.
Originally from Minnesota- not a Viking fan! Go Pack Go! I moved to this area in 1992 after College Graduation (my first major accomplishment/proud moment in recovery, as I never even graduated from High School). I immediately fell in love with this beautiful area-God’s Country, and decided here was where I belonged.
As a child, I grew up in the military and as a result acquired the nickname “Airforce brat”. Never did I think I would grow to love this name, but I did. Although the name held special meaning within me for the many wonderful memories, mostly traveling and meeting wonderful people from many walks of life, but many non-military folks always thought I was different. This so-called different way of life proved to be where I found my passion and love for people from many different cultures and backgrounds. I also found my lifelong love of water, who wouldn’t, living in Tripoli, Libya, just three short blocks away from the Mediterranean Sea, right?!
As a teenager, age 15, I was introduced to Alateen.
At 22, seven short years later, I was introduced to Alcoholics Anonymous but shortly after learning how very sick, messed up, beat up, this single mom with an out-of-control alcohol and drug problem truly was I found myself in a highly structured, nationally well known, Hospital Treatment Center. Here is where my whole world changed. As incredibly painful and scary as it was, it remains to be the best, most painful experience that has ever happened to me! And so the story goes, in my newfound life of recovery! It’s not been an easy journey, but it certainly has been a meaningful and rewarding one.
Being of service is an honor, it’s not a Military honor, like what I grew up with, but nonetheless, being of service in recovery is an honorable stand, a fight that I strongly believe in! Recovery is everything…for without it, I am nothing!
Recovery Coach Supervisor
When I got into recovery, I learned the most important thing I could ever learn in recovery, hustle recovery like you hustled dope and you will make it. So that is what I did. I went to meetings, became a Recovery Coach at 6 months clean, and became a certified Peer Support Specialist about a year into my sobriety.
Recovery Coach (AmeriCorps)
jessicah@mmbridges2recovery.
I am a recovering meth addict that has been clean and sober for 2 years. I have been through a lot including prison. I can’t express enough that recovery is the best thing I have done in my life. I choose to be a Recovery Coach because I have been through it all and I want to help others through their addiction and give others the same support that my family, friends, and fiancé give to me.
Recovery Coach
I’m Beka Bussineau. I’m a mom, a student, and a recovery coach in long-term recovery from opiate and stimulant addiction. Every day in active addiction I wanted to die, now in recovery, I have a life I love living- walking alongside others as they strive towards wellness is my favorite part of my recovery.
Recovery Coach
kendellen@mmbridges2recovery.com
My name is Kendelle Nelson. I danced with almost every kind of substance at some point during my 28 years of active addiction. I thought I needed to be medicated in order to function. I felt lost, alone, and hopeless. They say the road of addiction ends in one of two ways…prison or death. I could see both of those exits getting closer and closer. Charges were piling up and news of friends passing had become normal in my life. I realized I did not want either of those as my final destination and so, I fully surrendered to the idea of sobriety. I had nothing to lose. For the first time in my life, I am alive. I’m not existing, I’m not surviving….I am living. Everyone deserves to live their best life. And though every person has their own path to walk and life lessons to learn, I am here because no one should have to walk it alone.
Recovery Coach
Recovery has taught me about self-love, self-care, & self-worth. Recovery is hard, but it’s worth it! I enjoy sharing my ducky love with others via rubber ducks & tiny ducks. I am a barefooter, a Yooper, a mom, a wife, a Christian, & a kid at heart. I have overcome a lot & want to see others succeed in recovery also! You are not alone, you are worthy, & you are loved!
Financial Manager
Robin Kinzer West was born and raised in West Virginia. After graduating from West Virginia University with a degree in Accounting, she moved to the Midwest eventually landing in Marinette, WI. She continued her education at the University of Wisconsin – Oshkosh completing her MBA with an emphasis in organizational change. She has worked a variety of industries including manufacturing, distribution, social services, and professional services.
Robin is the President and Founder of West Ventures LLC which provides accounting and bookkeeping services to small businesses and not-for-profit organizations. She is passionate the challenges and opportunities facing entrepreneurs and not-for-profit leadership.
Data Coordinator
I love people and I love my community! I feel blessed to be a part of the Bridges to Recovery team, working behind the scenes to collect data and analyze the impact that the Recovery Coach programs have.
What is a Peer Recovery Coach?
Peer support encompasses a range of activities and interactions between people who share similar experiences of being diagnosed with mental health conditions, substance use disorders, or both. This mutuality—often called “peerness”—between a peer support worker and a person in or seeking recovery promotes connection and inspires hope.
Peer support offers a level of acceptance, understanding, and validation not found in many other professional relationships (Mead & McNeil, 2006). By sharing their own lived experience and practical guidance, peer support workers help people to develop their own goals, create strategies for self-empowerment, and take concrete steps towards building fulfilling, self-determined lives for themselves.
A peer support worker is someone with the lived experience of recovery from a mental health condition, substance use disorder, or both. They provide support to others experiencing similar challenges. They provide non-clinical, strengths-based support and are “experientially credentialed” by their own recovery journey (Davidson, et al., 1999). Peer support workers may be referred to by different names depending on the setting in which they practice. Common titles include peer specialists, peer recovery coaches, peer advocates, and peer recovery support specialists.
Download Peer Support Flyer
