About Us
Our Story
Collective Roots APG was born from both personal experience and a deep commitment to supporting youth and families in recovery. Our founder, Robin Bergeron, first encountered the Alternative Peer Group (APG) recovery model in 2013 while seeking family support for her own family. Alongside two of her teenagers, she joined an APG in Houston, TX. It was there—through shared experiences, peer support, authentic relationships, and family connection—that she found her own path to long-term recovery. Inspired by the transformative power of the peer collective, Robin became a Parent Program Coordinator, guiding families through their own recovery journeys and witnessing firsthand the impact of recovery support services.
After returning to the Pacific Northwest in 2021, Robin recognized the urgent need for youth recovery support in the Portland area. Driven by a passion for creating safe spaces to be open, where teens and families could heal together, she founded Collective Roots APG—a place where young people find belonging, build resilience, and connect with caring recovery mentors.
Today, the organization continues to grow, offering peer-led recovery groups, social activities such as recovery afterschool hangouts, crisis response, community recovery support initiatives, and family involvement to ensure no teen or family member has to navigate recovery alone.
“Collective Roots APG remains rooted in community, hope, and the belief that recovery is stronger together.”
Our Pledge
Our Vision is a family-centered recovery community powerfully transformed by enthusiastic peer support.
Our Mission is to nurture teens and their families as they grow in their recovery from alcohol and substance use, providing recovery support services that empower them to thrive.
Our Core Values are:
Accountability
Inclusivity
Trust
Compassion
Enthusiasm
Diversity Pledge
We believe that all people are created with sacred worth. It is imperative that our community and programming be free of discrimination on the basis of:
disability
national origin
ethnicity
religion
sexual orientation
race
color
gender
sex
age
creed
Our Approach
Wreath-making hangout - being social and creative.
We understand the challenges teens face in early recovery and recognize the need for a comprehensive, supportive strategy. Our team is dedicated to crisis planning and response, ensuring families receive timely support during critical moments in the recovery journey.
This commitment goes beyond stabilization. Through coordination of care, we connect teens and families to educational activities, problem-solving skills training, and recovery mentors, helping them defeat addiction and build a strong foundation for lasting change.
Help Our Youth
Receiving a donation from IQ for Kids helps Collective Roots serve teens during their journey through recovery.
Adolescents struggling with addiction need your help. Your donation or sponsorship provides vital support for their recovery journey—whether through funding, donating items, volunteering, or event sponsorship.
Together, we can help teens achieve aspirations and provide the peer collective they need to thrive.
Help Us Give Teens a Second Chance
Our Team
Our board of directors comprises individuals with firsthand experience in long-term recovery or who support family members in their recovery journeys. This ensures that our organization is deeply rooted in empathy, understanding, peer support, and a commitment to positive change.
Each of our amazing directors, board members and youth facilitators that make up the Collective Roots APG team.
Scroll down and get to know us.
Robin Bergeron
Founder & Director
Vic Trillo Jr
Youth Facilitator
Adam Schultz
Youth Facilitator
Our Board of Directors
Ian Nisley
President
Martin Camacho
Treasurer
Tami Painter
Vice President
Cody Blackburn
Board Member
Sam Brooks
Secretary
Jeremy Grey, CRM PSS
Board Member
Join Our Team
We’re dedicated to helping adolescents find and maintain recovery from substance abuse and addiction.
Be part of our mission to empower young people through prosocial leisure activities, staffed activities, and meaningful mentorship on their path to sobriety. Together, we can make a lasting impact.
Join our team and make a difference.
Get Help Now
If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, we’re here to help. Fill out our contact form to connect with us and take the first step towards recovery from substance abuse and addiction.
Whether you’re a teen, a parent, a clinician, or a friend, we’re ready to support you through peer recovery, recovery mentorship, and community-based services.