In every community, there are people who have felt unseen or unheard — unsure if they belong, if their story matters, or if there’s a place for them to start again. At NorthBound & Co., that feeling of exclusion is what drives their mission: to create spaces where everyone is welcome, especially those navigating barriers tied to finances, justice involvement, recovery, or identity.
“We’ve all had moments when we didn’t feel like we had a place at the table,” says Tulsi Crowell, one of the dedicated voices behind NorthBound & Co. “For us, that table represents access — to opportunity, community, and support. Whether someone’s barriers are financial, justice-related, or connected to substance use, mental health, or who they are — they still deserve a seat at that table.”
Meeting People Exactly Where They Are
At NorthBound & Co., recovery isn’t about perfection — it’s about possibility. Their approach centers on meeting people where they are and walking beside them as they rebuild.
“Our programs are built around each person’s life goals,” Tulsi says. “For some, that’s reconnecting with family or building coping skills. For others, it’s finding work or simply learning what stability looks like. We don’t define success for anyone — we help them define it for themselves.”
In a rural region where services and transportation are limited, NorthBound partners with local organizations to close those gaps — from workforce development and reentry support to accessible transportation and peer-based education. And because every service offered by NorthBound & Co. is completely free, everyone truly has a place at the table.
Advocacy and Policy Change in Action
Advocacy runs through every part of NorthBound’s work — not just supporting individuals, but reshaping the systems around them.
“NorthBound & Co. initiated the first regional Equity Coalition as part of the DDAP Recovery Hub initiative,” Tulsi explains. “Through that and our ongoing policy work, we aim to bring new perspectives to the table — ensuring that policies are built with the people they’re meant to serve.”
That commitment to inclusion and equity recently earned NorthBound recognition as a Champion of Pride by the Pocono Pride Coalition — an honor that reflects their ongoing effort to create spaces where everyone, regardless of background or identity, feels seen and supported.
This focus on access, equity, and representation guides everything NorthBound does — from advocating for rural resource funding to promoting inclusive language in policy and building partnerships that reflect the diverse experiences within recovery.
Building a More Compassionate Future
The work of NorthBound & Co. embodies what it means to fight stigma — not just around addiction, but around belonging and identity. By focusing on access, compassion, and opportunity, they remind everyone that recovery isn’t just about surviving — it’s about finding your place, your purpose, and your people.
As Tulsi puts it: “Everybody deserves a seat at the table — and we’re here to make sure they know that.”
Extending a Seat at the Table — This Thanksgiving and Beyond
NorthBound & Co.’s belief in inclusion and compassion comes to life each year during their annual Thanksgiving Community Meal, held at the First Presbyterian Church, 575 Main Street, Stroudsburg, PA.
The meal is free and open to everyone and will take place on Thanksgiving Day, November 27, 2025.
“It’s truly open to anyone who wants to share a meal and connect,” Tulsi shares. “We serve unhoused individuals, families feeling the weight of the economy, people with developmental disabilities, and community members who simply want to spend the day surrounded by others. It’s really about community and belonging.”
Guests are welcome to stay and enjoy the meal together or take it to go — whatever feels most comfortable. “We know that being in a group setting isn’t easy for everyone,” Tulsi adds. “So, we offer to-go options too. The goal is simply to make sure no one spends the day feeling alone.”
The message is simple: everyone has a place at the table.