For individuals facing substance use disorders, TROSA (Triangle Residential Options for Substance Abusers) provides a structured program designed to support recovery and personal growth. The organization aims to help residents achieve stability and rebuild their lives by combining therapy, life skills training and a sense of community. TROSA’s impact extends to its staff, who contribute to the program while finding personal and professional growth through their work.

At TROSA, staff aim to provide strong vocational training, job skills and life skills in addition to the treatment that goes along with the program. When individuals come to TROSA, they are offered an attentive staff that is there to assist them in moving away from substance abuse and rebuilding their lives, whether that is just by waking up in the morning and doing something productive or getting clean and establishing a job. No matter what each resident’s goal is, TROSA provides the programs to help. 

Jeff Stern is the Director of Business Operations at TROSA, and has worked in the nonprofit sector for over 25 years. Stern oversees all business operations while also maintaining the mission of the program, to help rebuild the lives of those struggling with substance abuse. Stern’s job is to make sure that there is a steady flow of money going into the program while also making sure that TROSA’s operations are staying true to the mission. TROSA runs several different operations that work as job opportunities for its residents such as TROSA Thrift Store, Christmas Tree Lots, Moving and Storage and Lawn Care. Not only do these social enterprises work as employment opportunities, but they also work as revenue opportunities to keep the program free for all residents. Each business works as job opportunities for each resident. During the holiday season, TROSA businesses such as Moving and Storage and Lawn Care slow down, leaving room for TROSAS’ Christmas Tree lots to contribute to job opportunities.

“Moving slows down around Christmas time, lawn care slows down, so the tree lots are a great way for us to take some of the extra energy that we have into tree lots,” Stern said. “The tree lots themselves are both a fundraiser as well as a way to get our message out, and to change the face of addiction and how people may think of addiction.” 

When it comes to where each tree is sold, there is a much larger picture at play.

“The customers that are really coming out and want to support our program know that the money is going to not just get them a tree, but also help a good cause,” Stern said.

Trevor Logsdon is the Government Programs Administrator for TROSA. After staying with the program as a senior resident, Logsdon was offered the opportunity for employment with TROSA. Eight years later with TROSA, Logsdon is now the Government Programs Administrator. 

“I’ve been afforded opportunities I wouldn’t otherwise have,” Logsdon said. “At TROSA, I’ve had job opportunities, promotions and education that I wouldn’t have been offered outside of TROSA.”

TROSA not only rebuilds the lives of its residents but also leaves a lasting impact on each member. TROSA changes the norm of what those struggling with substance abuse are, ultimately creating a community for those in the program and those outside of it. 

“People will look at addicts oftentimes and write them off and don’t give them the same opportunities,” Logsdon said.  

With a 30-year history of empowering thousands of adults with substance use disorders to become productive, recovering individuals, TROSA not only works to help its residents but also its community. Kristen Rosselli is the Chief Strategy Officer of TROSA, and with over 20 years of experience in bringing communities together, Rosselli notes on the wider community involvement TROSA has. 

“After Hurricane Helene, TROSA donated 22 pallets of needed supplies to families in Western North Carolina, and a large supply of toys and children’s clothes and coats to Western North Carolina,” Rosselli said. “We wanted to bring a small bit of joy to families struggling to recover from the devastating aftermath of this storm.”

Kirstin Pearson is the Director of Communications at TROSA where she works hands-on with residents and her colleagues on a multitude of different projects, such as formulating a newsletter or constructing communications externally. 

“[TROSA] is an extremely rewarding and unique place to work,” Pearson said. “Nonprofits are really unsung heroes.”