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Industrial Placements
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Hospitality Placements
From Vocational Trainee To Full-Time Employee
FIRST at Blue Ridge champions lifelong recovery for socioeconomically disadvantaged populations by providing fundamental resources before and after program completion.
Overcoming substance use disorder and prioritizing wellness is the prime objective, but the importance of career development as part of the process cannot be overstated. Teamwork, growth opportunities and financial security are crucial to relapse prevention.
For this reason, clinical sessions and group meetings remain available to FIRST at Blue Ridge graduates at no charge.
Examples: Cognitive Behavior Intervention | Motivational Interviewing | Spiritual Counseling | SMART Recovery
In addition, FIRST at Blue Ridge graduates have access to low-cost transitional housing and transportation. Which gives employment partners peace of mind — knowing that the support system that empowered their vocational trainees to perform at the highest level will continue to serve them once they have reached full-time status.
Josh Webster has completed the FIRST at Blue Ridge long-term recovery program. In July 2023, after a brief set of interviews, he was selected by Mills Manufacturing for an entry-level vocational assignment. As a maker of parachutes, their mission is to build products that bring soldiers to the ground safely 100% of the time. They accomplish this by prioritizing operational integrity and continuous improvement. And their process for evaluating job candidates is remarkably effective. So it is clear that they live their best values.
Josh moved to full-time employment with Mills Manufacturing in June 2024, and he is impressed by their sense of purpose. Executives communicate directly with all levels of associates, offering developmental support and celebrating achievements. And the company’s pathways to advancement are accessible, so Josh feels confident that he can build a strong career there.
“I am so grateful for all of his hard work. He always goes above and beyond.” — Yelena Dranchak, Department Supervisor
Western North Carolina — Community Support
North Carolina’s First Lady, Anna Stein, visited FIRST at Blue Ridge to discuss continuing improvements to their residential recovery and reentry programs. Dogwood Health Trust and Learning-To-Lead LLC were invited to participate in the meeting. — 06/2025 | Click Here
Givens Highland Farms hosted FIRST at Blue Ridge and Learning-To-Lead LLC for a 30-minute information session about the policies and processes that guide recovery program admission, clinical care, and vocational candidate selection. — 05/2025 | Click Here
Our company’s founder was invited to appear in the AVL 5x5 2030 launch video, produced by the Economic Development Coalition for Asheville-Buncombe County. — 03/2025 | Click Here
Kit Roberts with WCI conducted a Recovery Coaching Workshop for the Women’s Long-Term Program at FIRST at Blue Ridge. The content was based on Kit’s 2023 book, “A Renovated Life: Restoration Room By Room.” — 08/2024
The Economic Development Coalition for Asheville-Buncombe County hosted our company’s founder as a guest speaker for their latest Smart Series luncheon. The topic was strategies for attracting and retaining diverse talent in today’s market. — 04/2024
Christian Messick, CPSS
FIRST Vocational Training Program Coordinator
