Building
Recovery
Integrity
Dedication
Gratitude
Empowerment
Bridge Recovery is a Recovery Community Organization (RCO) in North East Georgia co-founded by John and Shelley Sidders. John and Shelley found each other during their recovery journey and tied the knot in March 2015. Together, they've been navigating the joys and challenges of raising their blended family. When they moved to North East Georgia in 2021, they noticed the limited resources available for those seeking recovery. Fueled by their own gratitude for their journey, they decided to give back to the recovery community, becoming passionate advocates for change and support in their new community. Bridge Recovery advocates for our clients with peer-based experience and assistance. We're led by individuals in long term recovery who are committed to honoring all paths to recovery.
A woman in a jean jacket smiles happily with her husband who is wearing a dark blue polo shirt
Our Mission
Our mission is to ensure that anyone seeking recovery can, and will find it.
Our Vision
Create an community where every individual seeking recovery finds a compassionate, empowering, and supportive environment. We strive to be a BRIDGE to hope and transformation. A place where recovery is accessible to all, and everyone has the opportunity to rebuild their lives, reconnect with their families, and rediscover their potential. Through unwavering support, innovative programs, and a commitment to holistic healing, we aim to create a resilient and thriving society free from the grips of addiction.

Birdie
Peer Support Pooch - Non Licensed

Birdie serves as the Peer Support Pooch at Bridge Recovery.

Birdie may not have a certification in peer support, but she’s got a natural gift for making people feel loved, welcomed, and a little less alone.

With four paws, a wagging tail, and a heart full of unconditional love, Birdie reminds us that sometimes the most meaningful support doesn’t require words.

Whether she’s offering a little comfort, bringing a smile to someone’s face, or simply being present, Birdie is a reminder that connection comes in all shapes, sizes, and species.

At Bridge Recovery, we believe in building bridges to recovery one connection at a time. Birdie just happens to build hers with paws!

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John Sidders
President and Co-Founder

John Sidders is the President and co-founder of Bridge Recovery. He helps guide the organization’s work and supports its mission of connecting people with recovery resources and community. Through his leadership, John works to make Bridge a welcoming place for individuals and families seeking support.

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Kevin Foley
Board Member

Kevin began his recovery journey on May 8, 2018, after decades of struggling with drug and alcohol use. With the support of the Veterans Administration, recovery gave him an opportunity to build a life he never thought possible—one he remains incredibly grateful for today. His experience has given him a deep appreciation for the importance of connection, support, and having people who believe in you along the way.

Kevin believes he has a responsibility to give back to the recovery community that helped change his life. Serving on the board of Bridge Recovery is one way he can support others, strengthen the recovery community, and help ensure people know that a different life is possible. Being part of Bridge allows him to turn his gratitude for his own recovery into an opportunity to help others find theirs.

Outside of work and his involvement with Bridge Recovery, Kevin enjoys spending as much time outdoors as possible, especially running and hiking.

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Chloe Simpson
Peer Recovery Coach

Chloe began her personal recovery on June 26th 2013. She began working for Bridge Recovery in February of 2026.

Her passion lies in supporting peers, helping remove barriers, and empowering individuals as they navigate their own unique recovery journeys. She especially enjoys advocating for justice-involved individuals, helping ensure they have access to the resources, opportunities, and support they deserve.

Chloe believes in the power of connection, compassion, and meeting people where they are. Through her work at Bridge Recovery, she continues to demonstrate that recovery is possible and that no one should have to walk their journey alone.

Fun fact! Birdie is Chloe's fur baby!

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Jennifer Johnson
Peer Recovery Coach

Hi, I’m Jennifer! As a person in long-term recovery, my lived experience drives my deep passion for supporting others on their own paths toward recovery and growth. Having navigated my own journey with alcohol use and mental health from an early age, as well as walking alongside family members and my late husband through their struggles, I know firsthand how vital it is to have a compassionate support system.

My primary mission is to ensure our peers and community have access to every possible pathway to healing—and to make sure no family ever feels alone in supporting a loved one through addiction or mental health challenges. As a proud member of CPS-MH Cohort 117, I am constantly growing both personally and professionally to help bridge the gap to recovery for everyone we serve.

I was introduced to BRIDGE Recovery while volunteering with another Recovery Community Organization, and I’m so grateful to serve alongside such an incredible team. I wholeheartedly share BRIDGE’s belief that recovery is possible for anyone on a path that works for them. My favorite part of my work is listening to people's stories and celebrating how they choose victory over setbacks every day.

Outside of work, you’ll find me cheering on Georgia football (Go Dawgs!), watching UFC, painting, or lost in a good book. Most importantly, I am the proud mother of three beautiful daughters and feel truly blessed to show them—and others—that there is vibrant life beyond our struggles.

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Amanda Rider
Dahlonega Branch Program Manager

My recovery journey began on September the ninth, 2019. I was sitting in jail, lost, confused, and without hope. That moment became the beginning of everything that followed, and it’s the reason I do the work I do today.

I’m a Certified Peer Specialist in Addictive Diseases and a Forensic Peer Mentor, and I’ve spent my career since April 2024, walking alongside people in our Day Reporting Center, Drug Court, and STAR Court programs. I’m now stepping into the role of Program Manager at Bridge Recovery.

What brought me to Bridge Recovery was wanting to be hands-on with peers, to be in the room with people doing the real work of recovery rather than standing on the sidelines.

What I love most about this work is seeing someone come in just as hopeless as I once was, and watching the light come back into their eyes, filled with gratitude and self-worth.

Recovery support matters to me because when I started, I didn’t know anything about recovery. I had to learn it step by step, and now I get to be the person who walks others through that same learning, so they don’t have to feel as lost as I did.

Outside of work, I’m a proud grandmother of five wonderful grandchildren. Also, two wonderful kids.

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Daniel See
Peer Recovery Coach

Daniel See is a Peer Recovery Coach for Bridge Recovery. Daniel believes that recovery comes first in achieving and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Since 2021, Daniel has been involved in multiple recovery groups, and has been available for guidance to those seeking recovery and internal wellness. From his past experience as a Residential Manager for a Sober Living Residence, he understands that there are many pathways to recovery and that a person must find the path best suited for themselves.

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Shelley Sidders
Co Founder and Director

Shelley Sidders is a person in long term recovery who founded this nonprofit to help people who struggle from substance use and mental health disorders. She has over fourteen years living in recovery from addiction. After twenty years of working in management and human resources for a billion-dollar restaurant chain based out of Georgia, she retired and has joined in the fight to end stigma and help her peers find and maintain a pathway to recovery that works for them. Shelley is a Certified CARES through the Georgia Council on Substance Abuse, a Certified Peer Specialist of Addictive Disease, a Forensic Peer Mentor, and has had her basic training in Trauma Informed Care.

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Victoria "Tori" Fuller
Board Member

Victoria “Tori” Fuller is a wife, mom, business professional, and person in long-term recovery since February 18th, 2017. Recovery has completely changed the course of her life and given her so much more than she ever thought possible.

For Tori, recovery has meant getting the chance to rebuild relationships, be present for the people she loves, and most importantly, become the kind of mother she wants to be. It has also shown her firsthand how important it is to have people in your corner, especially when you’re trying to figure out what life looks like on the other side of addiction.

That’s a big part of why Bridge Recovery means so much to her. She knows how overwhelming it can be to start over, and she believes everyone deserves support while they figure out what comes next. Being on the board is a way for her to give back and hopefully help make that road a little easier for someone else.

In her professional life, Tori has a background in operations, customer experience, communications, and leadership. Outside of work and recovery service, most of her time revolves around her family and friends. She loves traveling, being outside, trying new things, and turning what should be a simple idea into a full-blown project.

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John Sidders
President

John Sidders is the President and co-founder of Bridge Recovery. He helps guide the organization’s work and supports its mission of connecting people with recovery resources and community. Through his leadership, John works to make Bridge a welcoming place for individuals and families seeking support.

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Kim Nunn
Board Member

A visionary for a better World who loves her husband, two adult children, corgi pup, and quite frankly, the human population! 

She survived Government education (both hers and her children’s) and ended it with an Associate in Arts.  Kim tested the murky waters of drug addiction at a young age and was saved from that life via adolescent treatment and a couple of 12 Step Programs.  She has continued to give back to that community (which saved her) for 40 years and it has given back to her as well.

Kim created her own cleaning business to be available to her children and others and grew it for 22 years.  She also explored sharing her art and love for repurposing décor through a small consignment adventure for 4 years.  Kim is always looking to better herself, her community and the World in however life presents itself for

Giving is the Joy of living

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Recovery Support Services

We offer a variety of services and programs to help you along your path to recovery.

Education and Training

As part of our work in harm reduction, we work with the Georgia Overdose Prevention Project to supply Naloxone to those at risk.

Advocacy and Activism

We work in tandem with the Georgia Council for Recovery to help educate our community and destigmatize substance use disorders.
Financial Planning

We can help you learn how to set and follow a budget so that you never have to live in fear of another rainy day.

Housing Resources

Struggling to find secure housing? We'll help you find a safe home, and guide you through the rental process.

Naloxone Distribution

Are you or someone you know at risk of an overdose? We'll provide you with life-saving Narcan spray free of cost.

Group Meetings

We host multiple group meetings each week, to help you find the support you need to stay the course.

Workforce Preparation

Need help finding a steady job? Writing a resume? We're here to help you along your path to rehabilitation.

Peer Coaching

Individual meetings with a certified peer specialist, to help ensure you're meeting your recovery goals.

Frequently asked questions

Everything you need to know about finding the help that you deserve.
Do I have to be referred by a doctor or social worker to ask Bridge Recovery for help?
No. Individuals do not have to meet the DSM-V criteria for substance use disorder to request support. Any Adult, age 18 years or older, who self identifies as a person with substance use disorder may request support from us. The only requirement is a desire to recover from drug and alcohol use.
Do I have to commit to Bridge Recovery for a fixed amount of time in order to get support?
No, any individual who desires to leave or discontinue support may do so at any time.

Additionally any individual who fails to follow the guidelines of Bridge Recovery may be discharged.
Bridge Recovery will reserve the right to exclude individuals who exhibit dangerous behavior toward the staff, themselves, or others.
Does Bridge Recovery provide medical or clinical rehabilitation services?
No, Bridge Recovery will not provide clinical services, but will collaborate with participants to provide resources for such services if the individual desires.
Are there any fees associated with receiving support from Bridge Recovery?
Nope! Bridge Recovery does not charge individuals seeking support a fee of any kind; however, some of the services we might connect you with might require payment, but if you are unable, we will help work with you to find a solution.
I'm not in the area that Bridge Recovery services; what can I do?
You're still more than welcome to come to any meetings or events that Bridge Recovery Hosts, but you can also check on the Georgia Council for Recovery to find an RCO in your area, or contact us to be connected to a peer counselor who can direct you further.
Can I recieve Narcan free of cost from Bridge Recovery?
Yes, if you or a loved one is at risk for an overdose please contact us or Georgia Overdose Prevention to request a free Naloxone kit and training.

Still have questions?

Send us a message and we'll connect you with a certified peer counselor.

We'd like to thank our generous sponsors, who make all the work that we do possible.

Donation information

Ribbon Cutting Ceremony

Help welcome us to our new location!

May 23, 2024
195 E. Jarrard St. Suite B2, Cleveland GA 30528

National Overdose Awareness Day

Reboot Jackson will be hosting an evening to raise funds to supply first responders with life-saving Narcan.

VIP Reception - 6PM

Dinner - 7PM

Program - 8PM

Scan To Donate Directly To Help Fund The Purchase Of Life Saving Narcan
August 31, 2023
6400 Sugarloaf Pkwy, Duluth, GA 30097
jon@rebootjackson.com