Local Leaders Highlight the Power of “Lived Experience” in Watertown’s Recovery Community

Northeast Radio SD News – Watertown, SD – In a recent deep-dive interview with Northeast Radio SD, representatives from Codington Connects and the Restart Initiative highlighted a critical shift in how the community approaches addiction and recovery from incarceration: the rise of Peer Support.

Angie Collignon sat down with Jessica Cooper and Cali Ortley to discuss how personal history—often referred to as “lived experience”—is becoming the most effective tool for helping individuals reintegrate into society and maintain long-term sobriety.

What is Peer Support?

At its core, a Peer Support Specialist is someone who has navigated the challenges of addiction or incarceration themselves and now uses that experience to guide others. Angie Collignon noted that while clinical support is vital, peer support “hits differently.”

“You can read about recovery in a book,” Collignon explained, “but these ladies have actually been there. When they tell someone the hard truth, it carries a weight that a professional without that background can’t provide.”

Turning Rock Bottom into a Career

The interview highlighted the powerful journey of Cali Ortley, a Community Health Worker and Case Manager for Brothers and Sisters Behind Bars (BSBB). Ortley’s transformation began in August 2023 when she entered the drug court program while experiencing homelessness and having lost custody of her children.

Ironically, her now-colleague Angie Collignon was her probation officer at the time. Collignon encouraged Ortley to visit the BSBB office at 9 West Kemp. What started as a simple visit turned into a total life overhaul. Today, Ortley is a mother of three with her own apartment and a career dedicated to helping others navigate the same system that once held her.

“I was helped in the same way I am helping now,” Ortley shared. “It gives me a way to give back. We take so much when we are in addiction; this allows me to be something more.”

Re-Entry and the “Huge Hole”

Jessica Cooper, who celebrated 10 years of sobriety this past January, focuses her work on “re-entry”—the difficult period immediately following release from prison. She described it as being “dumped into a huge hole” with no clear way out.

Cooper emphasized that success is about more than just staying away from substances; it’s about rebuilding “Recovery Capital.” By using the Recovery Capital Index, the team helps individuals assess and improve various areas of their lives, including finances, housing, and social connections.

“Once we start getting your life in order, sobriety becomes the byproduct,” Cooper said. “It’s easy to stay sober when you aren’t constantly struggling to pay bills or find a place to live.”

A Safe Space in Watertown

A major theme of the conversation was the importance of physical safe spaces. Brothers and Sisters Behind Bars (BSBB), located at 9 West Kemp, offers exactly that. The office serves as a “judgment-free zone” where people can grab a coffee, a smoothie, or even play a game of darts.

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The goal is to provide a positive routine and a social outlet that doesn’t revolve around bars or high-risk environments. Jessica Cooper noted that in many recovery programs, individuals are strictly forbidden from entering places that serve alcohol, which can leave them feeling isolated. BSBB fills that gap by providing a community that feels like “family.”

How to Access Help

Codington Connects and its partners want the community to know that support is readily available, whether for an individual struggling with addiction or for a family member seeking coaching on how to help a loved one.

·         Online Resources: Visit CodingtonConnects.com or WeFaceItTogether.org.

·         In-Person: Stop by the BSBB office at 9 West Kemp in Watertown. The staff is available for walk-ins and can assist those who may not be “tech-savvy” in connecting with the right resources.

As the Restart Initiative continues to grow, the message from local leaders is clear: recovery isn’t just about stopping a habit—it’s about starting a new life with the help of those who have walked the path before.