Our Story of
FAMILY
One of the hardest things to do is watch someone you love fall deeper into their suffering. Substance use disorder can devastate a family for generations. I felt the pain my mother-in-law carried 10 years to the day. Her youngest son had died as a result of an accidental over dose due to a routine traffic stop. Swallowing a bag of crystal meth led to days in the hospital, compounded by medical malpractice and our family lost him. The legal system deemed his case "no quality of life". A young 25 year old soon to be father was gone in a moment.
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10 years after Kirk's death we founded the Nichols Center, Inc with a promise to stand by families like our own. Our hope is that no family would have to suffer without support, comfort, or guidance. By learning to help families like ours we are learning to heal the brokenness we feel.
MISSION
Vision statement: Family wellness and recovery center for grounding and growth.
Mission statement: helping families heal through wellness and recovery.
Goals:
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Provide peer connection and support for families in the Douglas County and surrounding area facing mental illness, trauma, substance use disorders, loss, or crisis.
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Provide trauma informed therapies in a safe space for families to find treatment and healing on a journey of wellness and recovery.
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Provide education and training for families in transition to develop the tools and skills they need to successfully walk a journey of wellness and recovery.
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Provide awareness and support for families to navigate their journey and advocate for themselves in their care and safety plan.
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Provide community programs to connect families in wellness and recovery and build a wellness support network.
Recovery
Provide peer connection and support for families in the Douglas County and surrounding area facing mental illness, trauma, substance use disorders, loss, or crisis.
Wellness
Provide trauma informed therapies in a safe space for families to find treatment and healing on a journey of wellness and recovery.
Grounding
Provide education and training for families in transition to develop the tools and skills they need to successfully walk a journey of wellness and recovery.
Family
Provide awareness and support for families to navigate their journey and advocate for themselves in their care and safety plan.
Community
Provide community programs to connect families in wellness and recovery and build a wellness support network.
Growth
Our 501c3 nonprofit in building a wellness and recovery community of families in Douglas County. We would love to connect with you.
TESTIMONIAL
When I was first introduced to the Nichols Center in 2014, I was a very angry, scared and broken woman. I had lost all hope and custody of my children. It felt like no matter what I did, it was never good enough; I was never good enough. I had been court ordered to complete community service and given Tara's contact information. I had been skirting by for several months, miserable in my sobriety. I was very reactive and not proactive. I met with Tara and it was like she had known me my whole life. Nichols Center quickly became my safe haven. Nichols center has taught me how to heal as a woman, as a mother, as a wife. My children and I have been linked to Nichols Center for almost 8 years and I will forever be thankful that I was " Strongly Encouraged" to contact Tara. I attended classes that helped me process trauma, and learn how to parent as a sober mom. I got involved in volunteer work. I finally felt like I had a purpose and I knew that I had a center full of a support system that only wanted to see me succeed. Nichols Center taught me how to live. Nichols Center taught me how to love myself. Nichols Center taught me how to show myself grace and forgiveness. Nichols Center taught me how to look in the mirror and know that I am ENOUGH. Because I am Worth It!
Christian Burrell, CPS-MH
