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About Us

Mission

Empower those seeking recovery by providing access to resources, education and recovery support services in a safe and social space, honoring all pathways to recovery.

Vision

We envision a world where recovery from addiction is understood, promoted, and embraced.

Who We Are

We are a Recovery Community Organization that honors all pathways to recovery. We ar a safe and social hub of resources for all those with Substance Use Disorder. We provide support to anyone who has been affected by addiction.

What We Offer

  • Variety of recovery meetings
  • Recovery Coaches
  • Peer-to-Peer Support
  • Stigma reduction
  • Education
  • Resources
  • Addiction Management
  • Evidence Based Approaches
  • Recovery Oriented Employer Program
  • Recovery Coach Training
  • Sober activities and events

“Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, ambition inspired, and success achieved.”

Locations

Manitowoc

Sheboygan

Board of Directors

#hopedealers

Christma Rusch

Executive Director
Bio

Betsy Kocourek

Secretary
Bio

Tom Kocourek

Board Member
Bio

Kristin Odell

President
Bio

Jenifer Thompson

Treasurer
Bio

Jason Latva

Board Member
Bio

Lisa Stricklin

Vice President
Bio

Michael Etheridge

Board Member
Bio

Manitowoc

Sheboygan

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Copyright © 2023  Lighthouse Recovery Community Center. All Rights Reserved.

Christma Rusch

Executive Director

Christma Rusch has resided in her hometown of Manitowoc for over 30 years.  She began her work in nonprofits, human service, and community advocacy in 2010; initially beginning in prevention and later moved into juvenile justice as the Program Coordinator for the Manitowoc County Youth Diversion Program.  During her five years with Lakeshore CAP, she obtained her BS in Human Development, became a Master ACE’s trainer with Saint E’s, a Kids at Hope trainer, and a SMART Recovery facilitator for youth. Christma is in long-term recovery from substance use disorder since 2005.  She is a mother, a wife, a foster parent, an advocate, a sponsor, a recovery coach, and a peer support specialist. In 2018, Christma founded and is the Executive Director of the Lighthouse Recovery Community Center.

Betsy Kocourek

Secretary

Betsy is the mom of a recovering drug addict. She and her husband Tom have been supportive of his recovery efforts for 15 years. Betsy believes that the addiction problem is best addressed through an organized long-term program, including a supportive recovery community, with recovery services always available......Betsy is a retired nurse and has many interests, including bird watching and volunteering at Woodland Dunes.

Tom Kocourek

Board Member

Former Manitowoc County Sheriff. Former Big Brother Big Sisters Executive Director. Tom is the step-father to two son’s in long term recovery. Both Tom and his wife Betsy have been supportive of his recovery efforts for the past 15 years. Tom and Betsy support and promote efforts in the community to provide successful and necessary services for all recovering addicts. “Through our many years of struggling to find a recovery strategy that works we are pleased to see the positive results of the combined efforts of the Manitowoc County Drug Court team and work of the Lighthouse Recovery Community Center. Tom retired from a 32-year career in Law Enforcement and sees the strides currently being made to address addiction and promote recovery as the most successful approach to dealing with addiction.”

Kristin Odell

President

Kristin has 20+ years of experience working in human resource leadership roles focused on employee and leadership development, strengths coaching, hiring and engagement, and legal compliance. Kristin’s knowledge ranges across both publicly traded Fortune 500 organizations as well as non-profits and small-cap family owned businesses.

She is certified as a Professional in Human Resources (PHR), a Gallup Certified Strengths Coach, and a Gallup Engagement Champion. She has a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from the University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh with a focus in Human Resources and Legal Studies. 

In addition to her service with Lighthouse, Kristin volunteers with her church and a number of other non-profit organizations including Manitowoc Youth Softball, Treehouse Theatre, and CoolestCoast.  Kristin's connection to Lighthouse comes from supporting employees who have substance use disorders. 

Jenifer Thompson

Treasurer

Jenifer is from Two Rivers, Wisconsin, but has spent the majority of her adult life in Lac du Flambeau, Wisconsin with her husband and three children. She graduated from college with a degree in accounting and began her accounting career for the Lac du Flambeau Tribe. She has been involved in numerous volunteer organizations over the years with a passion for helping disadvantaged individuals. Jenifer’s interests include her grandchildren, volunteer work, music and playing and watching sports. Jenifer is in long term recovery, living a sober life and very active in the recovery community. She is also the parent of a struggling child who has had major consequences due to drug addiction. Lived experiences with her own addiction and recovery, along with those of her family, have given Jenifer the passion to help others recover from addiction.

Jason Latva

Board Member

Jason is the Executive Director of the Jackie Nitschke Center, a residential and outpatient treatment center in Green Bay, WI. Prior to his current role, he served as the Treatment and Alternatives and AODA Supervisor for Manitowoc County working with the Drug Court and Diversion programs. Jason has a Master of Business Administration (MBA) and Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. He is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Clinical Substance Abuse Counselor (CSAC), and Independent Clinical Supervisor (ICS).

“I found my own path to Recovery in 2010 and make a conscious choice to remain on that path on a daily basis. Since discovering that path, I have worked hard to better serve this underserved and highly stigmatized community, which I am a part of. My clinical and personal experience with substance use disorders assists me in working and connecting with individuals dealing with the same issues. I am married to my wonderful and unbelievably patient wife Sherie and we have two sons, 7-year-old Tyson and 5-year-old Beckett. We reside in Ledgeview, WI. It was an honor and privilege to be asked to be a part of the Lighthouse Recovery Community Center Board of Directors and I will do my best to support this amazing resource.”

Lisa Stricklin

Vice President

Lisa is a lifelong resident of Manitowoc County. She currently serves as the Program and Outreach Director for The Salvation Army Manitowoc County. Lisa is passionate about substance use disorder, recovery, and mental health as her life/family have been devastatingly impacted by the disease. She has seen first-hand how wrap-around support and love can positively impact the lives of individuals and families. “I believe in the great work being done through the Lighthouse Recovery Community Center and I do my best to support their mission”.

Michael Etheridge

Board Member

Michael Etheridge is the Executive Director of The Haven of Manitowoc County, Inc. Men’s Homeless Shelter. He attained a BA degree in Music Liberal Arts with a topical minor in Social Work from the University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire. He has worked in the human services field since 1996 and has obtained career positions as a Juvenile Youth Counselor (specializing in sex offender and oppositional defiant intervention), a Para-Professional (working with children with Emotional Behavior Disorder), Case Manager (working with victims of domestic violence), Resident Program Coordinator, Resident Supervisor, and as a Resident Counselor. Michael loves music, cooking, and sports. Currently, Michael is pursuing a Masters in Leadership and Organizational Development from Lakeland University. He has been a board member of LRCC since 2017.

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