Recovery Resources’ Executive Director, Janelle Duhon, Receives 2021 Helen K. Klanderud Exemplary Service Award
We are thrilled to share that our Executive Director, Janelle Duhon, has been awarded the 2021 Helen K. Klanderud Exemplary Service Award! We are so grateful for her hard work and dedication to helping our community.
Here’s what people shared in her nomination letters for this award:
“It was Janelle’s dedication to serve those in Pitkin County that need help in managing withdrawal from substances which prompted her to establish the organization known as Recovery Resources in 2016. Initially, Recovery Resources opened as a withdrawal management center in Aspen, offering a place where individuals could recuperate from overuse of drugs and/or alcohol.
But Janelle didn’t just stop there.
Working with compassionate behavioral health navigators, referrals were made to other community resources; whether it was coordinating in-patient treatment, mental health counseling, shelter for the homeless, or at the very least executing excellent discharge planning that would ensure a safe return home.
Janelle began to observe that many individuals who were being admitted for withdrawal management were also involved in the Pitkin County court system. So, in collaboration with Mind Springs Mental Health and the court, Janelle accepted duties of pretrial case management. This program monitors compliance with drug testing and reports directly to the court each week.
In addition to pretrial services, Janelle began offering DUI education and therapy classes for those struggling with substance use issues. Holistic coaching is yet another invaluable resource that is now offered to provide support and guidance for clients. Most recently, Janelle has worked hard to offer the equine-assisted learning program as a unique recovery support option.
These resources assist hundreds of individuals each year on the road to recovery and sobriety.
Janelle worked diligently alongside the state HMIS program to develop the Safe Outdoor Space for unsheltered individuals. This also facilitated the creation of the Aspen Street Outreach team. When this shelter closed at the end of October 2021, Janelle kept a solution-focused mindset and began collaborating with the Aspen Chapel as an alternative option for sheltering those in need of warmth and support.”
AND
“Janelle has secured over $500,000 to build out the system of care [for unsheltered community members] through state dollars, and continues to look for ways that each of the programs she offers support one another. Janelle and her team have embraced the key elements of Housing First into their practice which is resulting in increased stability for chronic and veteran homeless and unhoused families and also building further resilience in the community by meeting their basic needs.
Because of her and the team's leadership, over 100 individuals have been served who are experiencing homelessness.
Of which 66 individuals have secured either transitional or permanent housing. Staffing has been an issue for so many organizations in this past year, and continues to worsen, and Janelle ensures that no client goes unseen, and will pretty much do whatever is needed to meet the community’s needs. When the Safe Outdoor Space announced a November 1 closing, Janelle and her partners jumped into action to secure space at the Aspen Chapel for a Winter Overnight Shelter from November 1-April 30.
Janelle has pulled overnight shifts, worked doubles, and has been creative in how to cover needs that arise quickly.
Her staff are committed to the work, show up with open minds and hearts, and do not allow a single rock to go unturned when advocating for their clients.”
About the Award
This award is given in honor of Helen K. Klanderud for her exemplary service in Pitkin County and Aspen. She was a faithful member of POD, and served as a citizen representative of the group for several years. Her tireless faith and support of health and human service organizations was apparent in that she showed up and gave her time and energy to make a difference. In the words of Father John Hilton: ”she gave, and she never stopped giving” (Aspen Times Weekly, Oct. 17-23, 2013).
Award Criteria:
Exemplary Service (Quality)
Examples: great communication, collaboration skills, problem-solving ability, focus on excellent customer service with clients, staff, donors, community
Achievement (Commitment to Mission and Passion for the Work)
Examples: thinking strategically by implementing tactically, goal-driven, doer, persistent through thick and thin
Leadership (Impact and Change Achieved)
Examples: great convening skills, fundraising ability, stamina, ability to accept and motivate others
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