It’s been said that the only way you can keep it is if you give it away. This philosophy is a key driver for John Wirth and how he lives.
A member of the Board of Directors for the Greater Portage Chamber of Commerce, Wirth works at the Portage Recovery Association (PRA). His work centers on supporting recovering alcoholic and drug abusers. As a recovering alcoholic and drug abuser himself, in his work with PRA, Wirth relies on giving his time and his talent. Because he is helping others through his work, it is one of the components that empowers him to stay sober.
“I'm a recovering alcoholic drug abuser,” Wirth said. “There's a phrase in Alcoholics Anonymous that the only way that we can keep what we have is to give it away.”
PRA hosts a morning meeting and evening meeting that anyone who is struggling with alcohol or drug addiction is welcome to attend. The meetings are even open to family members of alcohol or drug abusers who might be struggling with a brother’s, sister‘s, parent‘s, etc. addiction.
PRA’s relationship with the Greater Portage Chamber of Commerce helps the association network and communicate.
“Because of the relationships that we developed through the Chamber of Commerce itself and members of the Chamber of Commerce, we were able to connect with the community. We're finding our organization through connecting with people in the community in recovery as well as people in recovery connecting more so with the community is what's coming about,” Wirth said.
In fact, its relationship with the Chamber of Commerce allowed PRA to find and secure their current space at Northwest Health.
“PRA, through the greater Portage Chamber of Commerce, connected with Northwest Health, which operates two hospitals in the area, one in Chesterton and one in Portage,” Wirth said. “They had a third building in Portage that they were no longer using and were looking to figure out a way to either sell it or possibly donate it. Through the connections that we had at the Chamber of Commerce, someone put the pieces together and said, ‘We know this organization, Portage Recovery Association, and I know they're looking for a building.’”
Wirth has worked with PRA for over 30 years. His time at the association and his overall journey has given him so much hope that anyone’s life can help another’s.
“We've found over time that no matter how far down the scale we go, our experience can benefit others,” he said. “The drunk guy that was in a car crash and hurt someone, and they've been imprisoned and released want to stay sober - their experience might save somebody else from going down that path.”
Certainly Wirth’s life and work is nothing short of inspiring. He changed his life and he’s changing the lives of others, too.
To learn more about or get involved with the Portage Recovery Association, call (219) 999-2317.