The Pathways to Healing: Youth and Family Opioid Prevention Program


Program Overview

Pathways to Healing is a two-year initiative in Anoka County to prevent opioid misuse and overdose among youth and families. We blend healing circles, peer mentorship, and community training to foster resilience, reduce stigma, and build a culture of recovery—delivered in a culturally responsive, trauma-informed way.

Who we serve?

We serve all community members, and have a particular focus on African American, Native American, and African-born communities in Anoka County.

Youth & Families: We support young people and their families who are impacted by opioid misuse, trauma, or systemic barriers to care. Whether someone is navigating recovery, supporting a loved one, or seeking tools to prevent overdose, they are welcome here.

African American, Native American, and African-born Communities: Our program centers the lived experiences of communities that have been historically marginalized and disproportionately affected by the opioid crisis. We honor cultural traditions, community wisdom, and the need for healing spaces that feel safe and affirming.

Peer Mentors & Community Leaders: We uplift individuals with lived experience in addiction and recovery, offering mentorship roles and leadership opportunities. Their voices are vital in reducing stigma and building trust.

Schools, Juvenile Justice, and Community Organizations: We partner with institutions that serve youth and families—especially those navigating systems like juvenile detention, foster care, or reentry. Our goal is to create bridges between formal systems and culturally grounded support.

Anyone Seeking Healing: Whether you're a caregiver, a young adult, a community ally, or someone in recovery—Pathways to Healing is here for you. No judgment. No prerequisites. Just a commitment to walk with you toward wellness.

Meet the Team

What we offer?

  1. Healing Circles — Safe, culturally grounded spaces facilitated by licensed professionals & peer mentors.

  2. Peer Mentorship — Lived-experience guidance that builds trust and reduces stigma.

  3. Overdose Prevention Training — Hands-only CPR, naloxone, recognizing fentanyl/xylazine overdose.

  4. Family Engagement — Monthly sessions with childcare, meals, and stipends to remove barriers.

  5. Community Partnerships — Schools, JDC, healthcare, culturally rooted orgs.

Our Community Partners

Empower Therapeutic Support Services, Inc. is a proud partner of Anoka County, working together to advance equity, healing, and community resilience. Through the Pathways to Healing program, we join Anoka County in addressing the opioid crisis with culturally responsive care, trauma-informed practices, and a deep commitment to uplifting youth and families.

We are honored to collaborate with a county that values innovation, inclusion, and the power of community-led solutions. Together, we’re building pathways to wellness that reflect the strength and diversity of the people we serve.

 

Anoka County

The Anoka County Opioid Solutions Initiative (ACOSI) was created to address the opioid crisis in our community. The mission is to improve health, save lives, and reduce the impact of opioids and other substances by managing settlement funds and supporting strategic partnerships. Anoka County envisions residents and partners are supported, engaged, and prepared to meet the challenges of substance use together.

Steve Rummler HOPE Foundation

Empower Therapeutic Support Services, Inc. is honored to partner with the Steve Rummler HOPE Foundation, a trusted leader in overdose prevention and advocacy. Their commitment to saving lives through education, naloxone distribution, and public awareness aligns deeply with our mission to equip communities with life-saving tools and reduce stigma around opioid use disorder. Through quarterly training sessions, the Foundation brings expertise, compassion, and critical resources—ensuring that families, youth, and community members in Anoka County are prepared to respond to overdose emergencies with confidence and care. Together, we are building a culture of readiness, resilience, and recovery.

Little Earth Community

We are proud to collaborate with the Little Earth Community, whose leadership and cultural wisdom are vital to the success of Pathways to Healing. As a vibrant Indigenous-led neighborhood in Minneapolis, Little Earth represents the strength, history, and resilience of Native families who have long navigated systemic challenges with courage and grace. Our partnership reflects a shared commitment to culturally grounded healing, intergenerational support, and community-driven solutions. By working alongside Little Earth leaders and families, we ensure that our programming honors Indigenous traditions, addresses historical trauma, and fosters spaces where healing is not only possible—but powerful.

 

Click below to sign up for updates on programming and training events.

Sign up for Updates
 

Upcoming events:

 

NALOXONE & CHEST COMPRESSION TRAINING

Naloxone & Chest Compression Training:

Quarterly community sessions equip participants with life-saving overdose response skills, including hands-only CPR and recognition of fentanyl and xylazine overdose symptoms.

Anyone can help in an emergency—naloxone and chest compression training makes it possible.