Recovery Friendly Workplace

Grand Traverse Regional Community Foundation Strengthens Workplace Culture Through Recovery-Friendly Practices

Featuring Gina Thornbury, Senior Manager of Community Impact

For the Grand Traverse Regional Community Foundation, becoming a Recovery Friendly Workplace was an important step in strengthening its office culture and creating a more inclusive environment for staff. The organization saw the designation as an opportunity to better support employees, reduce stigma, and build a workplace where conversations about substance use disorder and recovery can happen more openly.

Building a More Inclusive Workplace

The Community Foundation has been actively working to improve its office culture, and leaders viewed the Recovery Friendly Workplace process as a meaningful way to continue that progress. By taking this step, the organization demonstrated its commitment to inclusion and to fostering a workplace where employees feel informed, supported, and respected.

A Smooth and Supportive Process

According to Gina Thornbury, Senior Manager of Community Impact, the process of becoming a Recovery Friendly Workplace was positive and straightforward. The organization was able to schedule training easily and appreciated the support provided by 217 Recovery throughout the process.

“The all-staff training was helpful in educating our staff and reducing the stigma of substance use disorder,” Thornbury shared.

Creating Space for Open Conversation

Since becoming a Recovery Friendly Workplace, the Community Foundation’s staff has become more educated about substance use disorder and recovery. The training and designation have helped create space for more open conversations about recovery and the stigma that can surround substance use disorder.

For the Grand Traverse Regional Community Foundation, the Recovery Friendly Workplace designation is more than a recognition. It reflects an ongoing commitment to building a healthier, more inclusive workplace culture—one where employees are better informed, stigma is challenged, and recovery is supported.