LOYAL. LOCAL. COMPLETE.
Nicki Hanks never would have imagined herself working for Edgar County Recovery Oriented Systems of Care (ROSC), or preparing to step into the role of the county coordinator six years ago, but she does believe her life has unfolded beautifully, in a way she never could have imagined.
“It took time but I really was led to where I needed to be,” Hanks said.
Six years ago, Hanks identified as an intravenous drug user. She describes the time in her life as dark.
“I was completely homeless,” she said. “I lost my kids and I knew I needed help when I went to jail.”
In jail, Hanks was introduced to a group of Christian women holding prison church services. When her sentence ended Hanks realized she could not go back to the way things were, not if she wanted to stay alive.
“I went straight to church when I got out, right to the church that my grandma went to when I was a kid, I just walked in the door. I knew that if I didn’t, I’d end up dead,” Hanks explained. “God saved my life, without God I would not be anywhere.”
Once Hanks chose to commit to a clean life things began to change for her. Within a few years, she became a leader in the church’s Celebrate Recovery group and started feeling increasingly passionate about the people she interacted with.
“I had been, at that point, wondering what we were going to do,” she said. “I wanted to know what we were going to do to help these girls maintain sobriety because whatever we were doing felt like it wasn’t working. I knew there was more we could do, more I could do.”
While serving as a leader for the recovery support group Hanks was given a unique opportunity. At a meeting, Karen Cook-Foster handed her an application to work with a newly established Edgar County ROSC.
“She (Cook-Foster) handed me an application and told me that she thought I should apply to be a navigator…and she has been there every step of the way, encouraging me and helping me grow as a person,” Hanks said, later describing the moment as the chance of a lifetime.
As a recovery navigator, Hanks has had the unique opportunity to serve both individuals seeking to maintain their recovery and those actively struggling with addiction in her hometown. She leads weekly educational groups, brainstorms ideas that spread awareness and volunteers at local laundry days and in community projects, all while working hand-in-hand with non-profit organizations and wellness groups.
Those who have witnessed her in the position describe her as determined, with a knack for learning new things and a relentless passion to help anyone that she can, no matter what it takes.
According to Hanks, the role has changed the trajectory of her life.
Now, two years later, she has received another opportunity within the Hour House and ROSC family. Beginning July 1, Hanks will transition from navigator to Edgar County ROSC coordinator, a job previously held by Ambrosia Branson.
Branson is more than just a coworker to Hanks, the recovery navigator describes Branson as a mentor and best friend, and Branson says the feeling is mutual. The two have grown to become more than just coworkers or mentors, they refer to each other as family.
“I knew from the start that Nicki was capable and that no one else could do this position, or build these relationships like she could,” Branson said. “She really shines when it comes to building partnerships and those personal relationships with people… her drive and determination is unmatched, she really just dives right in and wants to be a part of the community and show the community that we are here and that we care.”
Branson is not the only one applauding Hanks’ diligence and commitment either, last week The Prairie Press launched a “Making an Impact” campaign to celebrate local groups and individuals striving to create positive change in Edgar County. Hanks was the first individual to receive a nomination and has continued to collect additional nominations since the campaign’s creation.
Individuals nominating Hanks refer to her as resilient, kind, honest and dedicated.
One nomination declared “Nicki is such an inspiration to me, working one of the hardest and most important jobs, helping people through recovery. She goes above and beyond for the people she meets and supports everyone she comes in contact with.”
Regardless of any praise and accolades, Hanks continues to give all credit for community impact to others, claiming the work she has contributed to with ROSC is because of the panel of voices that form the community council.
“It is not really about what I want, it is about what our council wants and so whatever they want me to do I’m going to do my best to achieve it,” she insisted. “This community really cares about the people in it, the ones who are affected. They want to see the stigma surrounding addiction dropped and they want to create opportunities for everyone. I’m blessed, truly, to be a part of that.”
Hanks says one of the biggest blessings in her life is the people surrounding her, including the people she works with at ROSC and Hour House and her family.
“My kids and my family, they really are my cheerleaders,” she said. “We do a lot together and I love it, I just love being around them all.”
Officially sober since 2018, it is Hanks’ hope the work of the ROSC can continue to make an impact locally. She says her hope is to remind people it is never too late for anyone, recovery can happen.
“We all have things that we have to learn and grow from and those things help us become the person we were meant to be,” she said. “Since I have been in recovery everyone around me has picked me up off my feet and just showed me the way. I just want to be a light for everyone else… I want to provide those same opportunities that were given to me to someone else who needs it too.”
If you know a local person, group or organization enacting positive change in Edgar County, nominate them for a spot in The Prairie Press’ “Making an Impact” series. Check out the Prairie Press Facebook page for more information.