Josh Lawson hired as Recovery Program Coordinator
The Kricker Innovation Hub is very pleased to announce the recent hiring of Josh Lawson to the position of Recovery Program Coordinator.
Josh lives in Wheelersburg with his wife, Sarah, and their three kids, Joshua, Penelope, and Allison. He has served the Portsmouth community in a variety of roles in recent years, most of which have centered on harm reduction efforts in relation to the current overdose crisis. He volunteers as chairperson for the Scioto County Opioid Consortium’s faith-based subcommittee and is eagerly awaiting the release of his first book, The Face of Addiction, which tells the stories of twelve people whose lives have been impacted by the opioid crisis in southern Ohio.
As Recovery Program Coordinator at the Kricker Innovation Hub (KIH), Josh will be tasked with making the programs and services of the Hub inclusive of people in recovery. He is excited to bring his experience as an advocate for people with substance use disorder to bear upon the innovative work that the Kricker Hub is doing in Scioto County.
Please join us in welcoming Josh to the KIH team! He can be reached at jlawson@shawnee.edu, but be sure to stop by the Kricker Innovation Hub (located at 221 Chillicothe Street in Portsmouth) to say hello when state guidelines allow! He also loves to drink coffee, so he would be happy to meet you at the Lofts any day of the week.
Q&A with Josh
Job Title: Recovery Program Coordinator
Previous Work: Owner & Operator of Ohio River Valley Home Inspections, Pastor at Evangelical United Church of Christ, Career Specialist at Community Action Organization of Scioto County, Southeast Ohio Community Organizer for Faith in Public Life Ohio
High School: Greenup County
Why did you want to work at the Hub? I think the Hub is uniquely positioned to offer certain services that will help people in recovery break the internalized stigma surrounding substance use disorder that still prevails in Appalachian culture. Most of my efforts so far have centered on harm reduction, social advocacy, and storytelling in the community, so I’m excited to take this step toward yet another field related to recovery work.
What do you love about the area? I love the changing of the seasons here in southern Ohio, especially the transition from summer to fall. The hills are absolutely beautiful this time of year. There’s nothing I love more than walking outside early in the morning and feeling the crisp, cool autumn air against my skin.
Favorite Restaurant? Sadly, my favorite restaurant is no longer with us. May Dick’s Pizza forever rest in peace.
What do you do in your free time? I love to read, so that’s often what you’ll find me doing. Lately I’ve gotten back into playing the guitar some as well, so there’s that. Otherwise, I spend most of my time with my kids.
What show are you currently binge watching? None currently, but the most recent show I re-watched with my wife was Breaking Bad. Hands down, it’s the best television series ever made.
Josh can be reached at jlawson@shawnee.edu.