Staff Spotlight: Cindy West | Program Director of Full Circle Recovery Community Center | July 14, 2022

We sat down with Cindy West to learn more about how she is building her team and the Full Circle Recovery Community Center in three Iowa cities.

What's your position and how long have you been with Anawim Housing/Full Circle Recovery Community Center? 

I am the Program Director for the new Full Circle Recovery Community Center (RCC), which will open locations in Des Moines, Council Bluffs, and Sioux City on August 1. The Full Circle RCC is funded by a six-year grant from the Iowa Department of Public Health.

Tell us some of the things you do daily in your work? 

Right now I am working on hiring the team for all three locations and getting the facilities up and running. I am always reading up on research in the field of addiction and learning from other communities and organizations about how to most effectively expand and embrace multiple pathways to recovery. Another part of my job is to develop a sustainability plan and strategic plan, so that Full Circle RCC can continue to assist people in recovery for many years to come.

What is the most exciting part of the job? 

I have the honor of helping those in recovery to achieve their personal goals. It is very rewarding to help others make connections to resources in their community and provide opportunities for them to grow in their recovery. To watch the transformations that occur in people's lives is invaluable. 

What goals do you see for Full Circle RCC? 

An important goal of Full Circle RCC is to help break down the stigma surrounding addiction and to educate those in our communities about recovery. Being able to raise awareness, offer peer-based recovery programming, and advocate on behalf of the recovery community are important pieces to help break down the stigma. 

Outside of work, Cindy loves to spend time with her 150lb mastiff, Milah!