RCNC's motto as it relates to young people in recovery is: "We work with youth to transform the image of how they see themselves." This motto represents our shared commitment to aiding youth and emerging adults 13-21 years old in fostering their well-being and seeing themselves beyond their current situation and environment.

Our youth-focused support is for young people struggling with a bevy of concerns and issues in a world that is chaotic and always changing at a rapid pace. This includes issues with: 

• sadness
• loneliness
• depression
• anxiety
• self-regulation
• lack of self-love
• trauma
• family dynamics
• substance use; and
• co-occurring mental health disorders. 

RCNC facilitates Life Skills Peer Support Groups and Mind-Body Medicine Peer Support Groups within youth-serving organizations and schools. The Life Skills curriculum is designed to uphold the SAMHSA Core Competencies of Peer Support: recovery-oriented, person-centered, voluntary, relationship-focused, and trauma-informed.

RCNC's Mind-Body Skills Certified staff use the Center for Mind-Body Medicine's (CMBM) curriculum to support youth in their growth, development, and ongoing recovery related to building resilience, self-awareness, and physiological and emotional health. Mind-Body Medicine Groups are facilitated by certified RCNC Mind-Body Skills Facilitators/Group Leaders. CMBM is the world's leader in successfully addressing population-wide psychological trauma and was founded in 1991 by James S. Gordon, MD, a former National Institute of Mental Health researcher and a Harvard-educated clinical professor of psychiatry and family medicine at Georgetown Medical School. He is also the former Chairman of the White House Commission on Complementary and Alternative Medicine Policy. 

Each Peer Support Group is co-facilitated by our North Carolina Certified Peer Support Specialist, and Recovery Coach Academy trained mentors and supervised by our trained staff. Group Facilitators check in with each participant every week. Following the group, participants are allowed to engage with an RCNC mentor for more focused one-to-one support.

The Mind-Body Skills Group and the Peer Support Skills Group are 8-week groups that focus on supporting youth in developing self-awareness, creating trust and an environment to focus on their emotional and physiological well-being, healthy relationships, positive coping strategies, positive identity, and positive engagement in the community. RCNC believes that growth is an ongoing process that consists of successes and areas where upgrades are needed to nurture and support resilience and help youth move forward on their journey of self-actualization.

RCNC Mentor Program

The RCNC Mentor Program empowers adults age 18 and up by providing scholarships for approved applicants to acquire their North Carolina Peer Support Specialist Certification and Recovery Coach Academy Peer Specialist Training. This is done through RCNC Certified Peer Support Training Program and RCNC's Recovery Coach CCAR Program. These allow a mentor to enhance their skills toward gainful employment in the peer support field. The total value of these trainings is over $1,200.00

Before receiving a full scholarship for these trainings (each training is a week-long training and can be delivered over a week or weekly, evenings, weekdays, or weekends), the candidates must participate in a 12 month Mentor Program Internship. They are eligible to begin training after 90 days.

During the Mentor Program Candidate Internship, candidates will participate in RCNC Orientation, receive internal training from RCNC staff regarding mentoring, and co-facilitate Life Skills Groups alongside RCNC staff and certified mentors. In exchange for training and supervision, mentors provide peer support to participants through co-facilitating the Life Skills groups and one-to-one mentoring. In doing so, mentors gain valuable experience serving youth and emerging adults' unique needs in their community. Mentors also help as community ambassadors providing outreach and education.  

For more information, please contact RCNC's Youth Program Staff at: TCONYERS@RCNC.ORG