A community can only be as strong and compassionate as its members. Jake Monhaut is impacted by his personal recovery journey to help those who are battling with addiction and make the city of Portage safer.
Monhaut took the leap to become a member of the recovery community over 11 years ago. It was around this time he discovered Portage Recovery Association (PRA), a non-profit organization dedicated to assisting individuals and their families who seek help with alcoholism and/or drug abuse. Monhaut has volunteered with PRA for 12 years, including eight years as its president.
“The more I started getting involved in the giving-back side of my life, I started to understand this could be something I can make a career out of,” Monhaut said. “When my mother passed away in 2021, I started thinking about my legacy. What do I want to leave behind? I want to do something that's worth my life.”
Finding a sense of purpose wasn’t easy for Monhaut when he began recovery as a single 28 year old. He explains addicts are told not to go around people, places and things, but this can become lonely. PRA provided a space for Monhaut to be around like-minded individuals, further his recovery journey and help others find their way.
PRA, located on McCasland Avenue, has made a difference in a multitude of lives across Northwest Indiana for over 30 years. The organization hosts 12-Step programs and recovery-based activities weekly, offering a safe space for those seeking sobriety. PRA is one of the main locations for 12-step programs in Portage, of which Monhaut believes it hosts around 95%. The day-to-day activities focus on promoting hope and recovery.
“I always tell people I'm not here to stop the party, but if the party stops for you, we're available,” Monhaut said. “I don't care that people drink and whatever it is they choose to do. That's not our business. If you want to stop, give us a call. We can help you.”
Next Chapter Café, an extension of PRA and the first of its kind, opened last year with funding from the Commissioner’s Office of Porter County. The café provides a safe and fun space for recovery community members and others seven days a week, with activities like coffee, pool tables, open jam night, board games, and game watches.
Compassion and understanding can go a long way in recovery. Monhaut doesn’t like to take personal claims for the people whose lives he’s helped. He believes he’s doing what he was taught. Monhaut emulates the actions shown towards him that kept him going on a daily basis: showing up, following principles and being available when someone needs to talk. A mentor, who passed away many years ago, taught Monhaut how to be an everlasting presence in someone’s life.
“I'm reminded of a guy, Lee Thompson, who was a tremendous help to me when I was new,” Monhaut said. “Without him I don’t know where I would be today. He gave me a foundation in my early years of recovery and principles and tools to use. Even though he's been gone for three quarters of my recovery, I still take what I learned from him and apply it almost every day of my life.”
Being a positive role model in the recovery community is Monhaut’s purpose. He feels responsible to honor friends who have passed away due to addiction. Keeping the door open and having coffee ready are small things Monhaut does to foster the community people have left behind.
Monhaut knows the greater PRA can be, the safer the city of Portage can be. PRA is in the process of moving to a larger facility on Lute Road, donated by Northwest Health, which will significantly expand their capacity and services. This will be the organization’s tenth move but the first property it will own.
Support from the Portage community leads to potential growth for PRA and the recovery community. A lifelong resident himself, Monhaut knows people in Portage are willing to support causes they believe in. Financial setbacks from COVID-19 caused PRA to become more public and seek outside donations. While there’s support from Mayor Austin Bonta, the city council and other community members, Monahut has been asked to leave businesses while promoting PRA. Nevertheless, he pushes to reach those who share his passion for helping those in recovery.
“It's pretty cool to be looked at as a leader,” Monhaut said. “It's not something I've ever thought was a trajectory for me. I found some passion behind it, and I think people feed off of that passion.”