Recovery Jobs Is A Job Solution For People In Recovery
An Interview with Alex Paar, founder of Recovery Jobs
In recovery, we talk a lot about rebuilding — rebuilding trust, rebuilding health, rebuilding relationships. But one of the hardest things to rebuild is purpose. And for many people, purpose starts with meaningful work. This isn’t my opinion, I’ve heard this over and over from people in recovery through my work. What many want most as they rediscover who they are and what they can contribute is a job. That’s where Recovery Jobs comes in.
Recently, I was introduced to founder Alex Paar, and his colleague Jim O’Neill and I had the pleasure of being able to interview them and talk about why employment is still one of the biggest missing pieces in long-term recovery — and how community, not just job listings, is the solution. What they’re building isn’t just a job board. It’s a movement.
Why Work Matters So Much in Recovery
As Alex shared in our conversation, employment isn’t just about a paycheck — it’s about identity, dignity, and belonging. Many people in recovery face long gaps in employment, stigma, or a lack of confidence after years of survival mode. Other people in recovery are also managing mental health issues and need to be placed in jobs where their strengths are highlighted or anxiety is lessened. Traditional job sites don’t address any of those realities.
Recovery Jobs was created to meet people where they are — with support, education, and connection, not pressure.
Alex’s belief is simple, when people in recovery feel seen and supported, they show up differently — at work and in life. And that’s the heart of this platform.
Recovery Jobs Is A Community, Not Just a Website
What makes Recovery Jobs different is the emphasis on networking and mutual support. Research shows that 85% of jobs are found through relationships, not applications — yet most people in recovery are trying to re-enter the workforce alone.
Recovery Jobs changes that by creating space for:
- Job Seekers – people in recovery ready to take their next step, with access to free job prep, financial literacy, and an AI-supported resume builder
- Community Champions – people who encourage, mentor, and remind others they’re not alone
- Opportunity Makers – employers, business owners, and connectors who believe in second chances and meaningful work
It’s a full ecosystem built on the belief that when we help others, we strengthen our own recovery.
Recovery Jobs Is Breaking the Isolation Barrier
One of the most powerful parts of our conversation was about isolation. Alex and Jim both emphasized that unemployment in recovery often leads to shame — and shame thrives in silence.
Recovery Jobs interrupts that cycle by giving people a place to:
- share wins
- ask for help
- learn new skills
- be seen for who they are now, not who they used to be
That sense of belonging is often what keeps people moving forward when self-doubt hits.
A Mission That Aligns with Recovery Values
At Reach Out Recovery, we believe healing happens in community — and Recovery Jobs lives that truth in action. This platform reminds us that recovery isn’t just about stopping something; it’s about starting a life worth staying for.
And meaningful work is part of that life.
If you or someone you love is in recovery and ready to explore what’s next, or if you’re an employer who believes in opportunity and second chances, this is a movement worth joining.
