A group that has its origins in Sioux Falls with a mission to help those through addiction problems got a big award and hopes to expand.

Face It Together received a $150,000 Daniels Fund grant to explore establishing an affiliate in Denver. Monique Johnson who is the executive director for the Sioux Falls office says the group’s founder had a lot to do with landing the funding.

“Kevin Kirby is always looking for ways to expand nationally. He knows who to reach out to. (Daniels Fund) learned what we did and Kevin explained a bit more about what we do. (As a result) they want to make this happen in the Denver metro area.”

Johnson says the concept of what Face It Together does in Sioux Falls nurtures a culture of compassion.

“We are helping people understand that it’s okay to come forward. Talk to your employer and let them know you might be dealing with addiction. If the employee feels comfortable to come forward knowing that they are not going to be let go because of the addiction, then more people are going to come forward and get better quicker.”

The award will be used over 9 months to work with community stakeholders and test the feasibility of developing Face It Together Denver.

Currently Face It Together has operating affiliates in Sioux Falls, Manchester, New Hampshire and Bemidji, Minnesota with additional affiliates to open by the end of the year in Fargo and Bismarck, North Dakota.


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