White House Senior Advisor Kathryn Burgum Visits Florida Recovery Community to Highlight Pathways to Long-Term Recovery

MARGATE, FL—OCTOBER 23, 2026—White House Senior Advisor for Addiction Recovery and Co-Chair of President Trump’s Great American Recovery Kathryn Burgum visited Fellowship Recovery Community Organization’s Margate Recovery Community Center in Broward County, Florida, on Friday, October 23, to meet with individuals in long-term recovery, peer recovery specialists, and community leaders working to strengthen recovery support services.

The visit provided an opportunity to hear directly from individuals with lived experience about the resources, relationships, and community connections that help people achieve and sustain long-term recovery.

Fellowship Recovery Community Organization provides peer-based recovery support, recovery housing, and connections to community resources designed to help individuals establish and maintain long-term recovery. Its work reflects the role local recovery organizations can play in connecting individuals with the services and support needed to rebuild their lives.

During her visit, Burgum toured Fellowship’s Margate campus, including its peer-based respite services, recovery housing, and Recovery Community Organization (RCO). The tour highlighted the role of peer-led services, stable housing, transportation, and community-based support in helping individuals build healthy, independent, and fulfilling lives in recovery.

Burgum also participated in a roundtable discussion with Fellowship leadership, recovery advocates, behavioral health professionals, law enforcement representatives, and community partners. The conversation focused on the importance of stable recovery housing, access to peer support services, stronger coordination among community organizations, and reducing the stigma surrounding the chronic disease of addiction.

“Recovery is about more than overcoming addiction. It’s about restoring hope, rebuilding lives, and finding a community where people feel supported and valued. possible. My visit to Fellowship Recovery Community Organization reinforced the work we are undertaking through the Great American Recovery, as we work to elevate the voices of individuals with lived experience, break down the stigma surrounding addiction, and strengthen the pathways that make lasting recovery. Every American deserves to know that their story matters, they are not alone on their journey, and recovery is possible.” —Kathryn Burgum, White House Senior Advisor for Addiction Recovery and Co-Chair of Great American Recovery

The roundtable brought together representatives from organizations and agencies working across Broward County’s recovery and behavioral health community, including Rick Riccardi, Chairman of the Board of Fellowship Recovery Community Organization; Kyle Pollock, Chief Operations Officer of Fellowship; Gerard John, Director of BARC Broward County; Susan Nyamora, Chief Executive Officer of SFWN; David Scharf of the Broward County Sheriff’s Office; Josh Thrasher of the Florida Association of Recovery Residences; Ryan Thomas, Chief of Staff, Fellowship; and Suzette Fleischman of the Broward Behavioral Health Coalition.

“At Fellowship, we believe recovery is about more than just getting clean and sober. It’s about changing lives through connection. It’s about helping people reconnect with society, build meaningful relationships, and discover a different way of living. That’s where real transformation begins.” —Rick Riccardi, Founder and Chairman of the Board, Fellowship Recovery Community Organization

The discussion highlighted the importance of recognizing recovery as an ongoing journey that extends beyond treatment and is strengthened by meaningful relationships, supportive environments, and access to community resources. Individuals with lived experience also shared their personal recovery journeys and discussed how access to safe housing, supportive relationships, and peer recovery services can help people overcome barriers and build lasting stability.

Burgum’s visit underscored the importance of collaboration among recovery organizations, behavioral health providers, law enforcement, and community leaders in addressing barriers to recovery and strengthening support for individuals and families affected by the chronic disease of addiction.